When I got back into window cleaning I was leasing a Volkswagen Jetta and that’s what I did.
I use my WFP on 90% + of my residential jobs. It works. Even my most particular customers are beyond pleased with the results. It is complete nonsense to say that you must get your nose to every piece of residential glass in order to get acceptable results. It is arrogant for a window cleaner to state that because HE can’t get good results with a WFP, it was obvious the system didn’t work. If you take the time to learn how to use the equipment properly and learn its limitations, the WFP is an invaluable moneymaker for residential window cleaning, even first-time cleans.
I agree with you that wfp systems are just like anything other tool. If unsatisfactory results are encountered the first few tries or even during the first year then there is more learning to do.
In my area I can name maybe a dozen companies that have tried using wfp systems after seeing me work since 4 years ago that have given up and gone back to traditional tools. They’ve gone back to renting lifts and 40’ ladders.
I just laugh. It’s fine by me. I get many calls form their clients asking if I can reach the windows that aren’t being cleaned properly or even at all.
Not sure if you’re referring to my post about me using sections and getting right on the glass, but i don’t think its arrogant or nonsense to state a preference. I know WFPs work, i just prefer to be on the glass so if something needs to be bladed i can get it, and feel more confident in my work.
It wasn’t specifically aimed at you. The anti-WFP theory that my message took on shows itself here from time to time.
One nearby window cleaner told me that his company only uses WFP on windows that cannot be accessed in any other way, and that they warn their customer that the only way those windows can be cleaned will result in spotting. He told me that they don’t use WFP on any residential because his “standards are much higher than most other companies.” The arrogance behind that statement is pretty priceless! Eventually, he figured out that he needed to learn how to operate his equipment better, that he was missing out on lots of opportunities. He now has a loaded van-mounted pure water system, and he is learning how to use this tool and clean windows without the “inevitable spotting” that he formerly presumed was a given when cleaning with pure water.
I agree with you that having a preference is not the same as arrogance. If you prefer to climb ladders, then more power to you. I have no beef with that. Some people still write letters with a manual typewriter too. 
I do believe that by becoming proficient with a WFP you can feel equally confident in the quality of your work.
There are more than a few guys out there that do ALL first time cleans the traditional way to make sure they got everything off the glass, and that the new customer is completely happy.
Hard to believe but some customers will let you go because they don’t like water fed poles and think it’s a lazy man’s short cut to doing them the proper way. They never tell you they just go find someone else who’s not so lazy. Crazy but true.
[B]“The customer is always right even when they are completely wrong”.[/B]
In the UK I have heard that the guys who only use one method loose customers because some people prefer the other method. The market is split. No rhyme or reason to it.
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I was just thinking about this while cleaning a house today. In the newbie forum someone asked if they should get a wfp.
I bought a wfp system a few months after I started, which was August of 2012. I really didn’t know the science, nor did I think that it worked better or worse than traditional methods - I mean, I was only cleaning windows for two months before I got the system, so what could I know?!
What I did see was two things at that time:
1.) I could access a house that I had just gotten hired to clean that was waaaay out of my skillset and ability at that point. But, with 32’ of pole (a Reach iT Mini and an XT) I could reach the peak of this Deltec home that is built on pilings, landscaped with moon rocks on a slope. No safe and stable place for ladders, no matter the length. With a wfp[I] I could see how to do it…[/I] I still do this home every six months.
2.) Although the extent of which I couldn’t know at the time, I have reduced my ladder use by, I don’t know, say 80%. My extension ladder or 22’ Little Giant comes off my truck about once a month now.
Now here is the thingy with this ladder use - I am well aware that ladders are part of what we do. I use them, can handle them, can raise and lower them properly and have stabilizers, a Foot-The-Ladder, I tie my ladders down, too. I ain’t scurred, is what I am saying here. What is in my mind, though, is that I am approaching fifty. Now when I was younger, let me climb like a chimpanzee, but a few years has made me appreciate the ground and having both feet on it as much as possible.
The house I did today has three window dormers set back on a steep roof. Nothing too high, and the ground is asphalt in front of it - but the glass is too far to reach without a dangerously raked angle on the ladder. So that leaves using a pole on a ladder. Ok, I can do that, no problem. But the alternative is far superior: extend the water fed pole, get a good brush angle, then clean. A total of four to five minutes spent on those three windows, How much time saving is that? (That’s $18.00 in five minutes for the exterior of three double hungs - that’s all I will say about the financial benefit of a wfp) A proper ladder set is going to take that long before I get to cleaning. These are large windows, though, so probably need two sets. The glass was left perfect - no drips, no runs, no detail marks, no white chalk from oxidized frames, or squeegee ghosts from working in the sun - just residue free clean glass with immaculate corners and edges. This is the why of residential wfp in a nutshell.
It has taken awhile to get consistent results that don’t require a whole lot of touch-up afterwards. But I am proficient at this point to where on a typical $400.00 house I may have one or two windows that have drips - and those are easily solved by a microfiber pad with a little alcohol water spritzed on it - 30 seconds of work. I still run into really difficult situations and I am glad to be figuring them out on the ground. Once I get the know how on doing challenging glass, I have that in my bag of tricks.
WFP isn’t for everything. First floor homes and commercial properties where you get out with a tool belt, cleaning solution and a small Little Giant and go to town - love motoring through a pile of glass with a blade - I mean damn, it took me long enough to get good with it!! And besides, why set up and break down the daggone thing if it isn’t needed? Other places where the runoff is a no no. CCU - useless, unless as perhaps a finish clean if the glass was stupid dirty and soiled.
One last thing. WFP has made me much smarter about high inside glass and skylights. For one thing, I have gotten stronger in my shoulders and arms, and can manage a pole much better if I squeegee inside. Or, better yet, I use the wfp pole, microfiber pads, and alcohol water and clean glass [B]that I have previously cleaned[/B] in seconds. Really, seconds. So Joe, “Besides, you’ll need section ladders inside the houses for high foyer and living room windows anyway right?” Not necessarily. Maybe the first time if the glass has never been cleaned, but no, not always.
Fitting into a Fiesta? Might depend on your source water, Low TDS means a deionization tank. I have a .5 cubic foot tank that lasts me more than a year and takes no room. High TDS you might need multi-stage filtration and be challenged with the limited space. You can use DI in high TDS areas, you’ll just burn through your resins quickly. A good residential pole will collapse to 4.5’. I have a Reach iT Mini, as I mentioned. It’s a great work horse and Perry and WCR will provide you with exquisite service after the sale.
Mike you do what ever it takes to get the job done right. If you can use a wfp then great . If you have to break out the ladders than that is what is needed. We are all pros I don’t think any one here would use a wfp
An if the windows didn’t look right break out the ladders an clean them nose to glass.
There have been many of times when I pulled screens out an said shit man it’s ladder time no big thing we have tools what ever it takes.
Like everyone has said it takes time to know the limits of your wfp.
For maintanance cleans it’s a no brainier . Every window cleaner has customers that do there houses 2 x. A year even once a year. Hek man that’s all I want maintance cleans customers that know you an call you all the time that’s the sweatiness of this business .
Of course new customers if you need to scrap stuff use your ladders. This is not rocket science
Also there have been times were I had to break out the ladders after wfp
An hit a couple of windows that needed scrapping . So what that’s what needed to be done so I did it. I’m getting better at realizing it’s limits though
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I think a lot of the customer’s attitude toward the WFP can be influenced by the way we present. When telling my customers about it, I put a lot of emphasis on the technology and my investment into the high-end equipment. I want them to know they are benefitting from my investment. I have even mentioned that it is a European innovation to a couple of people. I have never had anybody reject it as a method, and have several new customers ask me about it after hearing a friend describe it to them.
Yeah, and some type because they never learned how to write.
Some people who can’t even read a clock, without it being digital.
I saw somebody literally use the word “Skool” for “School” because it fit better into the ‘character limit.’
Come on. Man. :rolleyes:
You had me up until there.
Incidentally, I like the way Tony presents the benefit for the cust.
I ACTUALLY go as far as to say “good news, we don’t pass along that cost to the customer.”
Now [MENTION=7394]Shemsuddin[/MENTION] I may have a little issue with your post. Not much, but maybe a thing or two.
But I’ll wait until I figure out what you are “tying your ladders down” to. 
(I have a cold, so I’m kind of spacey, but still…)
And there’s that 'started way back in 2012.'
But you could climb like a chimp ‘when you were younger.’
So, by “younger” do you mean 2 years ago or 3?
I’ve been having trouble getting good results on first time cleans with my WFP. I wet, brush (hog’s hair or white FOC dual trim, scrub (blue scrub pads), re-brush, rinse (Yeah, it takes a lot of time). STILL find stuff on the glass…I am 100% a WFP man, but I need some suggestions on my first time cleans…Any thoughts? Thinking about getting the Brodex brush, beyond that, I’m at a loss!
Jesse
Atlas Services - Exterior Cleaning Specialists
North Carolina
When explaining my WFP system to the customer I first mention the safety aspect and how I love that it keeps me on the ground blah blah blah, then I let them know we can actually clean MORE than just your glass and wipe sills and cleaning the frames adds a nice finishing touch to the clean glass.
Also with all of my customers I offer a 100% streak free guarantee, and let them know that if it rains and they’re windows arent perfect in 7 days then I’ll come back and touch them up free of charge. I’ve never had a call back and it’s been a great selling point. Just this week I did an estimate for a woman, told her about our “7 day rain protection plan” and streak free guarantee, she loved it and booked when I told her the price. Next she tells me that my estimate was $120 more than her last window cleaner but he didn’t offer any sort of guarantee on his work, showed up late the two times she had him come and she was impressed by my “uniform” (jeans, hoody w/ company logo) and said my business cards were amazing as well.
Oh and her home is all double hung windows that I will be using my WFP on, I know they’ll be perfect when I’m done.
Mike Radzik
Pro Window Cleaning
Central Massachusetts
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I promise, she wasn’t impressed by your hoody.
If customers are so bloody smart, then why do they give me their money? If they think they’re always right, then I can fire them so they aren’t a customer anymore, and THEN they can be wrong.
We clean how we clean. If we get fired for it… So be it. Next, please.
I’m looking forward to my new WFP setup so I don’t have to climb on certain roofs I don’t like.
I would highly recommend the Brodex brush. Cut the insides out so that it gives some splay.
Pair this with a hot water unit. I also have a separate trolley setup up with a chemical to apply during the process. Usually, a mix of gg4 and Ecover.
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My friend, if you are going to chide someone about what they write, then perhaps you should learn to read a little better. I didn’t say way back. I stated I started in 2012, and that paragraph was a long was away from saying that when I was younger, I didn’t mind climbing. You took quite a bit of license to fuse those two passages together. Quite a cold you have.
I tie ladders down with bungees on the gutter supports, what is so mysterious about that?
I am proficient with a WFP, I own one. I usually only use it on commercial properties for hard to get windows or big sections with a lot of frames. The only time I use it on residentials is for cut-up windows, for those it is a big advantage.
The reason I don’t use it for normal residential windows, besides my preference of being right on the glass, is that if I were not going to do the outside windows on ladders, I would use a regular extension pole with a mop and squeegee instead of a WFP. I do a great job with extension poles (I own two 40’ers/ some 30’ and 24’ poles).
So if you are imploring people to take the time to become proficient with WFPs, why not become proficient with regular mop and squeegee on regular poles? They are easy to travel with, set up, and don’t require filters or hoses, and you can get a pair of 24’ers for around $80.
Forsake me if I’m wrong. I’m a fan of good ol’ hard work… So get out that washer and squeegee and put it to work. Time is money bro… I’m a fan of being right up on the glass too…
