Okay. Well, I have finally gotten off of my ass and decided to make the plunge into the pure water world. I have listened to all of the talk, taken time to put my ideas and numbers down on paper, do some horribly fuzzy math, and still come up with an idea that might lead to better profit generation for my company. Long story short–I have decided to go with a WFP and a DI system.
I have talked with several local dealers of such systems, and most of them say the same thing. With the water quality in our area, a DI system will be more than enough to get the TDS to zero, which is my biggest concern, once I can get past the trial phase of the learning curve of being a WFP guy.
All of them have given me the notion that they deal with this daily and are well experienced in servicing WC’ers. They have also noted that they have the hook ups I will need, minus some small stuff from the local H.D or Lowes, and within an hour can have me up and running when I am ready to put it all together.
My question for Bill and all of the other WFP guru’s, users, haters, owners, renters, etc is this: What are the costs associated with up-keep (normal wear and tear) for a decent, middle of the road, 24-31 foot, glass fiber pole, that is used primarily for commercial Wc’ing, and what are the parts that you seem to replace, repair, re-engineer to you liking the most?
Thanks in advance. Vendors, please do not try to sell me anything here. If you have a comment, please make it as a window cleaner, not a salesman trying to persuade me to buy your product.
You’ll want a carbon fiber pole for that height, Bert. Lighter and much more rigid, you’ll notice the difference in your windows and your stamina at the end of the day.
I utilize my RHG Reach Around quite frequently. I have a variety of brushes – Vikan and RHG hogshair, with both fan and pencil jets – as well as a couple G-Fit goosenecks (12" and 24").
I have yet to require maintenance on my poles or brushes. I do want to add more spare parts for my whole system, including additional low-profile EZ-Snap QC’s and clamps, push-to-fit unions (had one crack yesterday) and t-fittings, pole hose (I was Br’er Fox a few days ago – damn that deer-resistant foliage!), etc.
I second Larry’s advice. A fiberglass pole is fine for 1st and 2nd story work but will wear you out on 3rd story work.
I’ve got an Xtel 28’ fiberglass pole and it’s a fantastic pole for 1st & 2nd level and will do a good job on 3rd level but it has a great amount of flex at that height.
If you can afford a carbon fiber pole that’s the way to go. If you don’t have that much to spend the Xtel fiberglass (up to 28’) pole is certainly a great investment to get you going until you can afford the carbon fiber pole.
There’s not much maintenance really, other then regenerating a DI tank or swapping RO membranes, but even that isn’t bad.
I wouldn’t consider it maintenance, but be sure to keep plenty of extra fittings on hand, extra hose, kits to repair hoses, extra quick connects, compression fittings, etc. You can keep a lot of these fittings in a small fishing tackle box to keep it all organized. Most of these things only cost a dollar or two, but if one breaks while you’re working, it can stop you for several hours if you don’t have a spare.
Thanks guys. That is all very good to know. If I can squeeze a little the next few weeks, I think I can move this thing up further on the calendar. I have several large commercial jobs coming up at the turn of the year and I’d like to have this contraption in place and the bugs worked out in time to use it there. Three, three story hotels would be much easier with a WFP than dragging around the 32’ ladders.
Bert, with all due respect, and I mean that, you’re over-thinking the whole thing.
Buy a “started” setup to try, you can always sell it later if you don’t get used to it.
It will pay for itself, no doubt, I feel your hesitation, I was exactly the same, I wasn’t that worry about the money at that time, but the quality of cleaning I was going to deliver to my customers. I was even afraid to start cleaning with my WFP at the beginning, terrified of the outcome, or maybe the customer questioning my about it. You can always pitch them on the awesomeness of pure water, but that’s when YOU are convinced of it.
Now that you’re more on the owner role, is an added feature, I’ll explain why.
You train guys, they thinks is so easy, they leave you and start on their own, with WFP they’ll be scared of the investment amount and probably choose another route.
Other strong point is training. WFP can be learn in a couple of days, that’s the basics, the rest will come with experience.
Just my opinion, sincere and honest. Buy it, it will take your business to the next level, it will take mine soon, when I’m ready.
All good points Carlos. I haven’t thought of that perspective yet. I am not really worried about the employee side of things. I have a No-Compete Contract in place with all my guys. However, I too am worried about the quality of cleaning. Thats what I meant about getting the bugs worked out. I want the thing to be going, not just okay, but swell, when I begin to use it on customers property. I realize that there will be a learning curve. I have already factored that into the whole process. I am just putting all of the behind the scenes thoughts (spare parts, extras, down time during repairs, etc) that the guys that will be using the WFP don’t think about, before I buy. The older I get, the more I try to think through things much more before I jump up and buy.
I am glad to hear that many of you don’t have much problem with your set-up and it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. Thats what I wanted to know.
I have looked for a used pole around here (craigslist, ebay, etc) but can’t find one. Not that many companies around here use them. Besides, a used one, even seemingly in great condition, is still a used piece of equipment. I’d prefer to buy new and work out the kinks myself.
I am also wondering how many of you rent your DI system from the nearest DI Water equipment guy? What is your cost for regeneration and monthly rental?
I think is not fear Larry, is a potential real situation that many had faced. I have had only one employee and I let him go, he’s trying to do some windows, but I don’t care, is not a thread for me. But if you can improve your productivity, offer a wider arrange of services AND prevent future “competition” issues with employees, to me is a no brainier.
Truer words never said Bert. I added a five-stage water purification system and 4 poles (9’, 17’, 28’ and 60’) all from Xtel and Shawn over at RHG. Because of this investment we have leap frogged all our competitors in the area and aren’t looking back. DI cartridge replacement is the only regular maintenance we have had to do, YET. but we have had to replace some elbow connectors (which stopped us dead) and a QC or two, but beyond that it has completely changed our business plan and what clients we pursue. good luck
I think there’s no need to answer every post with another question Larry, it gets annoying. I really pay attention to what you say, you seem a smart guy, but you have to learn to analyze other people posts and see beyond the actual words used and focus on the core message. In this particular case you knew that I wasn’t trying to say “prevent”, as in completely stop competition.
With all due respect Larry, and my best intentions, but sometimes it gets annoying ( I know, I’m being redundant)
