Quality of WFP method vs. "Traditional" methods

Waterfed Poles
21

I use a waterfed pole for a few jobs a year but I see the advantage but it is very easy to get poor results.

For me it is beneficial only on jobs that makes it a much safer means(higher harder to reach areas) of washing compared to when I used to use traditional means in the past.

I see and hear of many companies that pay alot of money to get into this and then get discouraged and either dont use it or sell it.

Spend some time to learn the skill and it can be a benefit for safety and efficiency.

22

What do you contribute to the fact that you rarely use the equipment/technology when it works well when you do use it?

Thank you.

23

Do you have a DI/RO machine or just DI?

24

I have just the DI where I rent the tanks and usually get about 20 hrs use per rental costing $150. I use 3-4 sets of tanks per year. I have 6 sets of poles ranging from $500 up to $2000

The reason I use this on select jobs is the quality for me is just ok. I use it on commercial sites that :

Have hard to reach areas (making traditional means risky)
Windows that have some type of tint (no clear glass)

For myself it allows a safer process but I limit its use due to ok results.

25

Your water is probably hard enough that you warrant using a RI machine. This would most likely result in a better quality job. What do you think?

26

Due to the amount I use it I cant justify paying $6-7000 for a unit.

I pay around $600-$800 a year for the rental of the tanks currently which is great for me.

27

We have complete RO/DI systems starting at $1,950.00 I’d be happy to discuss them with you if you are interested.

28

So long as the end product water is reading a TDS of 000 then there is no difference between water produced with RO/DI vs. DI. Other then how much each gallon cost you to produce.

29

Correct…sounds like his DI setup is not getting him to 000

30

Thats possible, but what is more likely is that he is having trouble with certain types of glass/jobs. From his statement about getting 20hours out of each tank I would guess he is metering the water and checking it for purity as he goes.

31

What type of problems could he be running into? Thanks.

32

Do they rent you the poles too? That’s quite an investment by themselves.

33

Only he could tell us that.

34

Probably not, but Shawn (Reach Higher Ground) could set one up with a brush and adapter that works with Unger extension poles.

35

I have hard water problems where I live. I am really thinking about getting a system this year.

Yes, I will buy it from you Shawn…

36

I purchased the poles and I have spent $5000 on the poles that I currently
have.

I have planned on purchasing a unit in the past but have been talking myself out of it as I would need to also get an enclosed trailer as well. Just not quite worth the amount I use it.

I have a good friend locally who is big into this and also would set me up with a system when or if I planned on purchasing a unit.

37

Not sure of your vehicle logistics/set-ups, but as you know, there are portable units available, where an enclosed trailer is not necessary.

Check out Shawn’s site, if you haven’t already, for additional options.

38

Certainly an interesting thread.

Question…If the first time you went out with a woman and had a bad experience, what would you do? Give up on women?, turn gay? or try again???

Beleive it or not, there are even bad jobs with a scrubber and squeegee. All window cleaners are not created equal.

The water fed pole isn’t for every job! Sometimes the job may have to be cleaned trad, and future visits may be poled. Some buildings/homes may never be poled. That doesn’t mean they are poor tools, it just means they are not suited for certain jobs.

Do you really think that the thousands and thousands of window cleaners that are using pure water are doing horiffic work every day? How would this technology have stood the test of time if all of the results were so bad?

I baught my first system in 98. Jim Willing demoed on a neighbor/customers house. It was all cut-ups. I knew after the third window was done that the only that Jim could get that unit back was to fight me!!! The light went on that quickly and has never dimmed. I went 3 doors down and wrote the check.

For the next ten years the system was used almost every day. Why almost? Because all jobs are not suited for wfp!

For the last several years, I have been in sales of this equipment. I have seen the same light go on in many, many sets of eyes.

While with another company, I got a call from a window cleaner who wanted a system and a 60’ pole. We had several conversations. He had never used a pole before and I figgured he had a big job coming up and wanted the system just before the start date.

I went over procedure with him many times. He was told several times to practice on lower windows, that he wouldn’t get good results if for the first time he started on the fifth floor.

The day comes when he places the order. Several days I get a call from this guy cursing me out. This thing doesn’t work…you swindled me, you are an ahe.

I asked him where he started, hs said the top floor. I asked if he practiced first. He said no. Go figgure!

I have taught many classes on pure water technology and pole use. You do have to learn how to use it, and when not to use it.

Don Chute
JRC
310-779-8588

39

great thread. I have been using the WFP for the last four yrs. In most cases I would do the trad on first time customers to get the windows in shape and then switch over to pure water with great results…the problem then seems to be the customer wondering why he/she paid 400.00 for the first job which took maybe 3 1/2 to 4 hours and now still pays and same amount and I’m only on the site for 2 hours max. It seems educating the customer on pure water systems is the biggest obstacle.

Dave
Perfect Pane
Los Alamitos, CA.

40

I think we have all run into this problem.

Customers don’t realize the investment we make in order to bring our business into the 21st century.

It does take a little educating sometimes.

I had a customer mention that it took half the time this year and does she get a discount. I explained what the unit cost then the poles. Then I told her that I would sell it to her for the same price that I paid for it!

While cleaning blinds many years ago I used that same line on a doctors wife that questioned the price. She smiled and said she would remember it and use it when patients complained about the price of an xray :slight_smile: