Basic Fanning Technique

Check out this basic fanning technique video on how to clean windows. More detailed and advanced window cleaning techniques later on in this instructional"how to clean windows" series. It's nicely broken down and easy to understand for those that are new to the industry. Click here to watch the video.

Window Cleaning - Best Practice For Safety

Industry best practice is providing safer methods of cleaning and maintaining buildings whilst working at height, ensuring the industry meets complex building support requirements with expertise and trained, professional staff.

Window cleaning, best practice for safety: Darran Yates, operations director for the windows and industrial division of UK cleaning and FM specialist In Depth Managed Services, outlines best practice at one of the country’s largest teaching hospitals. As one of the UK’s leading teaching hospitals, Leeds General Infirmary has an international reputation for its expertise in a range of specialist services. It brings together many of the country’s leading specialists in caring for patients with complex conditions.

In such a busy healthcare environment, rigorous standards of hygiene are essential and the public, patients, and staff expect to see the sites clean and looking their best, both outside and in.
The façades of the multi-storey buildings are maintained by In Depth Managed Services, which has a dedicated windows and industrial division. This is one of six sites managed through a window cleaning contract with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Working at height regulation

Window cleaning is a skilled trade which has undergone a massive transformation, as windows get bigger, higher and more integral to design. The systems for maintaining high buildings are changing. Indeed, in January this year the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) overhauled its guidance on working at height in a bid to set out, ‘in clear and simple terms what to do and what not to do’.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) set out the law as it applies in the UK. The regulations have not changed, but it’s important to get working at height right. Falls remain one of the biggest causes of serious workplace injury.

One of the key legal requirements is for competent, well trained people to plan, organise, supervise and carry out work at height. The regulations “apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury.”

The need to ensure people understand what the law requires was identified in the independent review of health and safety regulation in the UK, undertaken by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt, and this proposal has been developed through the Red Tape Challenge.

Techniques and training

When it comes to window cleaning it’s in the interests not only of contractors but particularly of clients, too, that staff are qualified to the highest standards. This not only protects them as individuals, it also prevents accidents that could be costly and mar the reputations of both contractor and client. It’s important, too, that the training is not just a one-off, but continues over time.

In Depth’s teams of highly trained cleaning professionals take several weeks to complete a full cycle of window cleaning at the six NHS sites. They use the most up-to-date technology and techniques, including industrial rope access methods, which are frequently the only way of gaining safe access to any high level building, particularly in awkward spaces, which are harder to reach. Powered access platforms and water-fed pole systems are also used. The company’s fleet of ‘reach and wash’ vehicles, operated by expert staff, provide a virtually ladder-less safe and efficient service, upholding strict health, safety and environmental standards.

In Depth’s workforce is trained by a leading provider of training for window cleaners, which provides practical workshops and assessments, leading to certified qualifications. The training includes self-rescue courses, so they can always escape should the machinery malfunction, and operatives also learn how to inspect equipment such as harnesses, as well as escaping from towers, masts and other structures.

The benefits brought by state- of-the-art technology aren’t simply ‘nice to have’ – they are essential tools that enable window cleaning teams to be more efficient, flexible and responsive, whilst adhering to health and safety procedures.

Technology is not only used for the window cleaning processes employed at these sites, but are also in the management of the contract, giving clients online live Management Information (MI).
All vehicles are tracked for remote worker safety and these tools are utilised to ensure efficient scheduling of the window cleaning teams, which also brings fuel efficiency benefits.

In Depth uses the latest mobile android technology, combined with web-based systems, to send, receive and capture information, including photographic evidence and client signatures, in real time. As this quality audit system has been developed in-house, audits can be tailored. The information is used to evaluate, review and, where possible, improve the business systems used.

Industry best practice is providing safer methods of cleaning and maintaining buildings whilst working at height, ensuring the industry meets complex building support requirements with expertise and trained, professional staff.

Window Cleaning T.V.

Window Cleaning Resource has opened up their new T.V. station. Want to know what that window cleaning product does? All the different brands of window cleaning equipment? How to utilize it? Which soap or chemicals to buy? See those scrapers, gutter cleaning equipment & also water fed pole equipment before you buy. Maybe even watch a few shows & opinions on tools & grab a few tips? These videos & more can be found all in one place - Window Cleaning T.V. You'd be mad not to see it! Often imitated but never beaten - WCR has it all.

Categories:

Tool Talk

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Product Video

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Customer Service Factory

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Traditional Window Cleaning

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Water Fed Pole Window Cleaning

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Business / Sales / Marketing

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WCRA & WCBO Videos

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WCR In House / Contests / Fun

Final Day! FREE WFP Offer Ends TODAY!

Water Fed Pole Class With John Kieser, Part 2

Following on from the first series of videos of the Water Fed Pole Class With John Kieser, here are the next set of videos in the series. Click on the picture above to take you to all Johns WFP videos.

WFP Class Changing Filters HiRes

WFP Class Deep Ledges HiRes

WFP Class - Extending Pole

WFP Class - Top Down Method

WFP Class - Screens

Water Fed Pole Class With John Kieser

Click on the picture above to take you to all Johns WFP videos.

WFP Class With John Kieser - Testing Water Quality

WFP Class With John Kieser - Basic Residential Technique

WFP Class With John Kieser - Commercial Windows Basic Technique

WFP Class With John Kieser - Brushes

WFP Class With John Kieser - Cut Ups


WFP Class With John Kieser - Curtain Of Glass

Fast Window Cleaning Techniques # 6 - The Carpal Tunnel Elevator

This one deserved a post all on it's own..

Some more of the same..

Go here to find a squeegee that you can work all day with & this fast!

Window Cleaning Water Fed Pole Brushes

Window cleaning brushes & which water fed pole brush to use has often received lively debate on window cleaning forums the world over. Peter Fogwill of "Window Tools" & the forum of the same name published this paper a couple of year a go & is still well worth a read even in today's market. Reproduced here in it's entirety, courtesy of Peter Fogwill. If you are also interested, Peter has designed & built the first water fed pole "Hot Wash" mobile trolley system, click here to see. And also the very popular "auto-brush."

What window cleaning brush? There has been a lot of talk lately about window cleaning brushes, and what ones are best. Let me start by clarifying one thing, the most popularly used is not necessarily the best. Awhile ago there was a certain brush manufacturer that caught on to the fact that the reach and wash system and water fed poles in general were gaining popularity among window cleaners, and quite rightly got in on the act. They realised their was big business in window cleaning brushes and started promoting their car washing brushes at trade shows etc, and offering good deals to water fed pole suppliers. They even made some changes to the brush to make them more window cleaning friendly, trouble is they forgot about two main factors that overwhelmingly effected the cleaning power of the brush. Firstly the density of the bristles, their brush is far too dense and this restricts the flow of dirty water passing through the bristles, and working its way down and off the glass. Secondly the bristles were splayed at the ends to make them softer for car paintwork, as glass is a hard surface this was not necessary for a window cleaning brush, it had a negative effect and trapped dirt particles, again restricting the easy passage of dirty water through the brush and down to the bottom of the glass. These two factors although not the only disadvantages makes the most widely used window cleaning brush a nightmare to use.

How did the average window cleaner not notice this? They were supplied with the brush from their supplier, they didn't know any better, after all if you pay good money for a window cleaning system you would expect to be supplied with the best equipment to do the job it was designed to do. Trouble is most of the window cleaning suppliers have never cleaned a window in their life, they picked up on a brush that was being heavily promoted, got a good deal and the rest is history. The window cleaner got round the defects on the brush by brushing the window and then lifting the brush off the glass to give it a final rinse, which is both time consuming and a much higher water consumption over the course of the day.

There are another couple of disadvantages with the brush I am talking about. The weight of the brush, and the shape of the bristles. Again the clever window cleaner has compensated for the weight by using a much smaller brush, the size of the brush brings the weight down considerably, only problem with that is again more time wasted covering the glass with the smaller brush, and again more water wasted as you are on the glass longer. Next there is the shape of the bristles, they are straight. If they were slightly crinkled it would serve as a more aggressive cleaner, as there is a more abrasive contact on any dirt sticking to the glass. Slightly elongated bristles servers the same purpose allowing the bristles to splay more and would allow the non splayed tips of the bristles to come in contact with the dirt. This would also allow for faster cleaning, which in turn reduces water usage.

The funny thing about all this is I have had customers of mine changing from the brush I supply which has none of the disadvantages of the above brush, to one of the disadvantaged brushes. Why? Simply because they have been told by other window cleaners that the brush they use is not a window cleaning brush, and that they have to change over to the disadvantage brush that they use. Its not all bad though, these helpful chaps sometimes show them some new exciting ways to get a spot free finish on the glass, they show them how to take the brush off the glass and give it a final rinse, and how to waste time and water into the bargain.

Also as a bonus, one of the members of Peters forum also added this video on his guide to reduce spotting using various water fed pole techniques.

Aqua-Dapter: Water Fed Pole Control

AQUA-DAPTER water fed pole tap: The Aqua-dapter water fed pole tap has been developed over a long time to reach the standard it is now at. Its been designed to overcome existing problems, which it does. Aqua-dapter is simply fixed to the top section of your pole but is operated from the handle, this is done by pulling the hose to switch the water on an off, a very simple method where the tap can also be turned manually.

• Triggers: These are good for water control ,but can be awkward to use, they also produce an irritating loop of hose which twists making waterfed poles difficult to extend, and causes a trip hazard!

• Holsters: Because these are attached to your waist,that means your attached to your hose which feels very restrictive when you move around, you also get wet trousers!

• Hose tail connector tap: These turn on/off the water, but if you want to turn water on/off between windows, the tap is out of reach!

AQUA-DAPTER TM. Solves these problems! Aqua-dapter comes in one size & it is designed to fit the top section of poles with the dia of 20-23.5 mm. Custom sizes can be made to order. It also comes with 6mtr of free aqua-dapter hose (there is a little extra cost for longer hose). The hose is a good quality tubing which stays consistent in both cold and hot conditions and has a low stretch, which is important to how the aqua-dapter operates.

AQUA-DAPTER water fed pole tap + 6mtr hose £60.00.
Extra hose add 85p per mtr. Spare hose available by the meter or 30mtr coils £25.00
Package & Posting £7.50



Another alternative: The Auto-Brush.

Unger Hi-Flo, Carbon-Tec & Window Cleaning Tool Videos

Unger Enterprises, Inc. is the leading provider of innovative professional cleaning solutions. Unger is an international company and has been manufacturing professional cleaning tools for more than 40 years. Unger takes pride in developing innovative and unique tools that help professionals clean more productively, in order to present a cleaner, healthier building. Unger has offices in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, as well as manufacturing facilities in the United States, Germany and India. Unger provides innovative cleaning solutions to more than 80 countries worldwide.

The first video explains the difference between tap water & pure water.



The second video explains the nature of the reverse osmosis unit & the filtration stages.



This video explains the Unger Hi-Flo plus using telescopic poles & is probably best suited to the new starter.



The Unger Carbon-tec modular pole system.



Techniques & maintenance when using the Carbon-tec water fed pole. This is also a corrupted video, it freezes at 2:22!



Mark Unger, son of Henry Unger the founder - explains efficiency & productivity with Unger tools.

Mark Unger shows the new line of Unger window scrapers.

This Unger case study shows how water fed poles can beat other methods of cleaning shown at the "Fritz-Walter Stadium in Kaiserlautern, Germany.

The Unger marketing machine takes to the road with demonstrations around Germany featuring drums & cheerleaders!

Water Fed Pole Videos

Enjoy the first instalment of the newest series. WFPs on WCR, Part 1, hosted by Micah Kommers of "We Wash Windows" from Greenville, South Carolina. Alex below, gives us a quick look at the Pulex Eagle cart.

Ray Fulgoni in New Jersey with his wfp.

Seth Fenster of Washington DC shows his wfp van mount.

David from KendaClean using reach and wash, and Lee using traditional window cleaning methods at Broke Hall house in Ipswich.

Jeff Brimble came up with the idea of utilising modular fishing poles as opposed to other heavy brands that were on the market. Most of the lighter wfp's are based on his system and are still much lighter today, than anything out there. Here is a 6 year old operating one.

Glynn Hewitt from Adders "Rinse & Clean shows us his method & the results from the inside in these two videos.

This clever chap converted his backpack to run a wfp van mount system.

A collection of water fed pole videos...

Don Chute shows another method of using your water fed pole. And the video below that - a new way of cleaning industrial machine windows.