I've been cleaning trad for 20 years, knee pain freezing hands in winter and risky climbs in the wind. I have just changed to waterfed and its the completely changed my outlook, had no complaints and make more money. You are spot on trad ladder window cleaning is crap, wish I would have done this years ago. Thanks for you videos you soured me on to make the change, thanks mate. Wish I could buy you a pint.
Nice,been a Window Cleaner since I was 23 now 71 in June .Fallen Twice First time broke 2 Wrists and elbow Second time cheekbone 2ribs and ankle lucky to be alive .Was resistant to Wfp(how stupid was I )thought it was for wimps,best move I ever made getting my system ,just a tip Gardiners extreme pole + powered hose winder makes work almost effortless
I've cleaned windows for nearly 20 yrs and am a trad cleaner.I do get what this guy is saying about ladder safety.I recently dropped a high job as I'm nearly 50 now and want to keep as safe as possible. Luckily I have many ground floor jobs, shops..bungalows ground floor flats etc.,and I literally go up ONE level now . townhouses, showrooms, offices etc I agree ,the pole cleaning is the best option.Still you can NEVER ckean a window with a pole as well as me with my kit.!NEVER! !lol
I've been a traditional window cleaner for 24 years. And safely. I've recently picked up 3 new customers (residential) who have sacked their window cleaners for using the water fed system. I'll be sticking to the old way for as long as possible. It's only dangerous if you take chances up a ladder or are careless. I use an extension pole for difficult windows or if it's windy though. 55 years old and never had a problem. What was good enough for my father is good enough for me. I'll probably have a stair lift going up my ladder when I'm in my 70's, lol. I actually love the job rather than earning a shed load of cash. It's therapeutic for me :)
Thanks for video I’ve been in the window cleaning business for 41 years when the change came about I couldn’t see the point in Waterfed poles on the basis that I was doing absolutely fine with 30 years experience behind me what could you possibly teach me? Until I met a lad working near my house got chatting to him and asked him for a demo with the equipment he was using this new fangled water fed pole he had approximately six months experience and I have to say I had to eat humble pie he put my 30 years experience to shame The standard of clean that you can get using a Water fed pole is unbeatable .ladders are dangerous if you work on them long enough you will fall I did at least six Times and was very lucky not to injure myself too badly however one of my friends fell off and broke two ankles and another fell off a ladder broke his neck and died we all fall under the illusion that it won’t be us .In this game you always have to consider safety water fed pole versus ladders is a no brainer to me
Hey Michael, nice to you are big enough to admit when technology has caught you up - too many 'old school' window cleaners that are too stubborn to face the future. Stay safe and stay off ladders.
Appreciate your thoughts. I have about 2 decades experience, mostly with trad, some WFP. I believe... just my thoughts... if you don't detail, you're probably a weekend warrior (those that come out with a squeegee and a bucket when the weather warms up, doing every job they can get for half of what it's worth). If you want to be a pro, think like a pro, work like a pro and definitely deliver results like a pro. You will always seperate yourself from the average weekend warrior and usually the competition!
Respect to you … I am new to window cleaning and lot of customers say that water fed pole is just wet and walk away and never cleaning the windows as they see the traditional window cleaning you use soap that is cleaning it’s hard to charge peoples perception on tradition to water fed pole
I've just started window cleaning and we use the water fed poles and it's really the safest way to do it... you get a great finish and it's much more efficient!
My brother is a traditional window cleaner. Had a bad fall from ladders, luckily only broke his arm. I’m just starting out, doing WFP work, staying away from ladders
I'm six days in from trad to wfp and you are spot on, my head feels clear without the stress of ladder work because as confident as you maybe on the ladders you have to have a healthy fear of heights. I was worried about the standard of clean and even rinsing them to within an inch they are coming up lovely and the output is up around 25% and that will only improve with maintenance cleans
Your bang on buddy it takes seconds and finishes the job great, which is the difference between a pro and a Lazy window cleaner, im 18yrs in and im always learning and adapting but constantly rember we are providing a service as a package. My opinion is your definitely a pro mate 11yrs in so well done sir. Andrew 😊
Great vid and completely agree....I all so spent the best part of 7 years as a vehicle detailer until my knees had enough day in and day out....keep the videos coming.....I think I commented on s previous video asking you to do a video on something but can't remember what now haha....keep it up Darren
In my opinion cleaning windows traditionally is the best way especially with a first clean. You can’t clean the top sills great with the pole system! Anything above 2 floors I use my pole system anything bellow I clean traditional. Yes it’s time consuming keep changing but I’d rather price higher & see happier customers.
Me too. I'm still traditional too. I've picked up 3 new residential jobs who've sacked their window cleaners for using the water fed pole system. I only go as high as first floor though. Nothing higher.
I totally agree with you Darren. I like the traditional cleaning even I work only that. But for me, safety is first. I have my friend who has been doing window cleaning for years. So one day he fell from the ladder, hit his head in the concrete. He was in a coma for 3 weeks and it took 1 year to restore the whole body. Now he is forbidden by a doctor not to work a few jobs because of this incident. I'm about to switch to water fed pole soon. Regards! George
Cool video I done trad myself for 15 years climbing ladders over walls etc ect ... converted to wfp about 5 years ago best thing we ever done it’s quicker safer you’ll make more money and if you do it right wfp works 99% of the time. I’ve personally fell of 3 times the last one bruised all my legs done my low back on I was younger recovered very quickly every single window cleaner today should be using wfp .... trad work has its place as and when 👍👍👍 ..... cool video once again mate
Green Pro Clean Ltd lol alright Darren hope all is well mate. Been away on holiday got back about 3 weeks ago I’ve been up the wall lads worked while I was way BUT there was loads of catching up that need doing mate only just getting everything back in order.... couple of weeks time I’ll be sorting that other thing we discussed fews back so I’ll be in touch very soon sir.! 👍
I tried to clean windows without streaking.i did upstairs which was fine then halfway through doing the downstairs thought can’t do it .i took all my clothes off and ran around the lawn .
I'm getting asked for gutter clearance and thorough window and frame detailing since I had roof rack and couple of sets of ladders on my van. I couldn't do it all day everyday but I have enjoyed the odd job here and there. Got myself a liquidator squeegee and a monsoon scrubber. Pressure pump sprayer and decent soft brush and a paint brush. Unger razor scraper. Skyrim and some t towels. Easy money.
I always point out to customers that if you don't clean the frames that any dirt thats on them will run off onto the glass making it dirty so frames must be cleaned.
David here at Avid Pro Clean, Sheffield. Sorry Darren Kind of similar name - I was Trad - nearly 30 years ago and I agree with the less ladder working is better or non. How do you deal with properties that have a large back extension and need the extra high to get to the upstairs windows or stand with a massive pole outside the property (in the street)? Three of my customers live in 3 stories high. The living room is above the garage and as patio window and a balcony with metal and glass barriers. The only way up is via a ladder to then jump over the barrier.
Our Window Cleaner uses one of them pole, and couldnt get the bird poo from a nest in our roof off either the glass or Cill with his pathetic brush and water set up so chose to eave it and hope we didn't notice. Our new Window Cleaner uses ladders and is an old style window cleaner, our windows are no perfect everytime and without the Bird Mess on the glass. Only one winner in my eyes. The pole style clean has created massive competiton for all window cleaners as its now a job anybody can do and there are around 8 pole cleaners within a small area by our house alone but only 1 proper old style cleaner who may i add has more business than the other pole guys put together. Just my opinion.
"Proper old style cleaner"? Sounds like your previous window cleaner didn't clean your windows properly and now you assume every window cleaner using WFP system is not "proper". That's just not true.
omg great comment, i agree the traditional clean is the best, poles work well for certain jobs but those ppl using poles all the time are crazy, they are not doing the best job possible
Totally agree Darren, my best mate was killed falling of a ladder. I've been in the business over 30 years and I wouldn't like to go back to ladders. Feet firmly on the ground for me.
Very true darren been on pole 12 year now had a lad to cover round with me now do whole round my self so in reality its doing work to two men one system so faster 100% faster no dought about it
Let me say this. I use the moerman zero detailer, I am very good with it. You absolutely 100% still need to detail it with cloths/scrims after. No argument. There will always be soap in the rubber. People that say other wise are either lying OR they are not doing a propper job. Simple. Deffo agree with you Darren
Isn't it funny how places differ! I know window cleaners (in Ireland) and they want to do JUST the glass...and here is this guy who doesn't want to to just the glass. No criticism, just interesting how guys/areas differ. But that's traditional window cleaning....WFP would be different of course ;-) And yes I totally agree about ladders - why climb one if you can avoid it!
Another great video mate, just starting to move to wfp as had enough of ladders etc. My customers are moaning about the pole thing and want me to stick to trad but I want to move to reach and wash. Any advice. Cheers mate
Completely agree. I was always taught that “if you can see it then the customer can see it”. Too many lazy beer money collectors out there that give us business minded window cleaners a bad name!! WFP for domestic for me and a mix of trad/WFP on commercial 👍
My brother was a trad cleaner working for a supposed pro company , he fell off quite a high ladder landing on the roof of a transit van then finally hitting the ground ... long story short it has left him not being able to work properly and that is how i became involved in this industry , taking over his round and converting it to wfp..he was only in his late 30’s and his career was over....so i agree ladders can be extremely dangerous , i will not go up anything more than my 3 metre one ... i recently fractured my ankle jumping over a 2 ft wall! bonkers really! So falling off a ladder!? No thank you!
How could you possibly do a post construction job with out trad? Paint, render, silicone etc. lucky alot of builders get this done with scaffolding still up but even then i think a professional ladder set up with leg extensions etc are just as safe. Cool vid though dont take it seriously liquidator creates less detailing and light tools create less rsi's
We simply dont do anywhere near enough trad to be bothered to be honest. I have lads been here six months and never used a squeegee. Liquidators still need 'modding'or third party handles 'out the box'so in my opinion still a waste if time. As for builders cleans we just dont touch them at all we build our work out of regular repeat business not one off builders cleans here and there.
@@Darren-Green i cant stand their handles but the channel is gold. I dont find builders to be one off clients the complete opposite actually. Even restraunts and cafes and inner city area's that you cant just go flood the place with wfp's. I love wfp but trads just as if not considering internal windows more important. Lots of my residential houses have high up internal windows that couldnt even clean with pole especially stain glass windows not even a squeegee... window cleaning varies alot in my opinion
Never thought you were mate. I get on with almost all window cleaners. Just a certain select few that seem to take issue.... but hey, if they think it's about them then they probably think this song is about........ 😏😁
Hi Darren what insurance would you take out against customer accidents (scratched/cracked/broken windows etc etc) as no doubt in the future something will happen as I've just started building a bit of a round using wfp system..thanks bud.
Fall off a ladder and it could quite possibly be half a day out with the undertaker.. no need to take risks for a wage these days. Each to their own though but ladder work has been eliminated from my round. Just my 10 pence worth
James you really need to browse all the top suppliers and see what takes your fancy the best what works for me may not be what you're looking for. However you can't go wrong with waterworks full stop the Cleaning Warehouse. And gardeners.
Smearclear.co.uk i got all my WFP setup on ebay i looked and worked it all out, it is easy, cost be £500.. i got 3 gardiner poles, a 650 ltr tank two man set up works a treat.
You crack me up with your banter. So on and so fourth haha. Trad man uses neat soap on the glass. He reckons that way you don't need to detail. But then in his next vid is flogging micro!!! I call him Trade man.
Some good points but not all. I am trad and have gained so much more money from customers wanting trad after pole users leaving their windows spotty. Come winter, the houses don't have a circle of ice around the property either.
And they've never had ice in winter when I have done them either. The sheer numbers switching from Trad to WFP cleaners obviously proves you're the exception to the rule Welsh.
The tool your referring to is great at some types of window, but don't work at all on others, rubbers wears out quickly on the sides and leave lines and so forth ,,, Has its place in the toolbox but not a tool for all types of jobs. ... Window cleaning show in England? 🤔 where?
TheWindowCleaningDude it's window, carpets, pressure washers all in one show. 8th Sept I forgot the address but i'm sure someone here has it. It's organized by Mark Munro I believe. Quick edit. It's in Warwickshire.
WFP cleaning double hung windows takes too long. So much faster just doing them nose to glass. Water fed pole works well on casement windows only. Yes I can do double hungs but it is too slow and requires too much rinse.
Great videos i have been at it twenty years set my own WFP up 650 ltr tank Gardinir poles two man setup smearclear.co.uk I get good info from your videos Thanks .
My work is Leeds based although Im from Mansfield. Have been Tradding for 21 years now. My knee replacement 3 years ago is now screwed from “Up down,Up down the ladder”. Have now switched to WFP in the last 2 weeks,”Mainly at mo for Ups”. You are right,it makes my blood boil when I see videos of people exponing the virtues of zero detailing squeegee ‘s like the Moerman liquidator or the Unger S channel. They are both completely useless as they well know , but new stuff with promises of an easier life sells useless shit. Rock on!
sorry about your experience from the nasty Irish man i promise were not all like that haha keep up the good videos. Be happy for your opinion if you wouldnt mind checking out our facebook page @carberrycleaning.
dude u cant see all the spots while standing on the ground using a pole, i think the first time i clean a homes windows i will use the traditional method to get all the spots and bits of paint, but after that a water fed pole can work well, even if the water fed pole had a steel wool pad and a scraper it still isnt as good because you cant see the spots while standing on the ground
No problems. You have obviously got it all figured out 👍🏻 Good luck to you. When you have been at this for even a short while I can guarantee you will notice every little speck of pollen from ground level. If not.... Well, should have gone to Specsavers 😉
@@Darren-Green i just tried a water fed pole on two jobs and it wasnt as good as the traditional method, i had to redo some windows, no matter how much you scrub the frames and glass sometimes theres residue
You 'tried on two jobs' ? Let's say 3 bed semis... 2 top front windows 2 top back windows side bathroom or stairs window. Total 10 windows. Did you expect to be perfect by 9am day one? When you started trad window cleaning every job took you ages (as it did all of us) but after a couple of months practice 5 or 6 days a week you could do it without looking right? As the saying goes 'practice makes perfect' or throw in the towel if you didn't get it right in the first 5 minutes..... Up to you sir.
@@Darren-Green ok good point, ive had to buy three diferent brushes now, the problem is the moron who sells the water fed pole system, they should reccomend the right brush, but still water fed pole isnt as good as traditional and shouldnt be used all the time, maybe in other places but in melbourne it just aint that good
Kev Giles technically you’re a glass cleaner then. If I asked someone to replace my windows I’d be fuming if they just came round and replaced the glass