What's needed?

Waterfed Poles
1

I’d like to get into WFP this year after hearing so much about it on this board… I get the principles and such, but I’m a little confused as to what you actually [I]need[/I] to get started.

You need a pole.
You need hose.
You need water – there’s DI tanks, and then there’s pumps…do you need both? This is the part I have questions about.
What else?

I don’t need to know specific products to buy just yet, rather more like a shopping list of what we need so I can start pricing it. We’d be using it on residential homes no more than 3 stories high. If we’re going to do it, I’d like to do it correctly and invest in the right tools the first time.

Any input is greatly appreciated. I’m sure I sound like one of the guys asking about which strip washer he should be using, but I’m that new to WFP. Thanks!

2

Good move.
You don’t necessarily need a battery or electric operated pump to start. One thing that you should test is the tds of the water in your area.A hardware store, plumbing supply, or big box store will have a meter for you to purchase. Of course it will vary somewhat, but if you can get an average this will help you to determine if it is feasible from a money standpoint to go with just a di tank as opposed to a ro/di system. The higher the tds, the more you’d want to consider ro/di. Even so, systems now exist that run on just water pressure. I’m going to buy a carbon filter to place before my di tank this year to help my di to last longer. As far as a pole, I’d get the best you can afford that will suit you for the vast majority of your jobs. Carbon fiber is the best right now, but the highest investment.
These are just a few basics.

3

If your TDS is less than 150 then a DI tank might be the way to purify your water. If it’s over that then I’d suggest - Ettore EZ Pure Aquaclean as an inexpensive way to get into multi stage purification. Since you are doing up to 3 stories then I’d suggest [url=http://shopwindowcleaner.com/water-fed-poles-systems/water-fed-poles/gardiner-wfp-s/clx-poles/gardiner-clx-26.html]Grdiner CLX Water Fed Pole 26 Foot as a great starter pole. You’ll also need some garden hose to get water to the system (DI tanks or RO/DI) and supply hose to the pole. Some use 3/8" air hose while others use 1/4". I’d suggest 200ft to start. There will also be odds and ends like quick connects and shut off valves which can be found here - [url=http://shopwindowcleaner.com/water-fed-poles-systems/wf-pole-parts.html]WFP parts, fittings, clamps, ezsnap | Buy Window Cleaning Supplies, Tools, Equipment, Products
I know you asked for generalizations but I gave you some specifics to get an idea of what it will cost you to get into pure water.

4

Thanks for the replies. So the DI tanks aren’t necessarily required… when they are, do you pump water through them? So they’re basically just big filters?

Do you have to store some water in the vehicle, or can you make it on site (with the proper setup) directly from a tap connection?

5

All the systems utilize DI in some manner. It’s the last filter in a RO/DI system. In either case you hook up the tank or system to the house tap and purify it and run it thru the hose to the pole. You can also purify water w/ you set up at your house and put it in a tank you carry in your vehicle. In that case you need a pump or a back pack system to pump the water thru your pole.

6

If you only go with with one purifying means to start, di is more thorough than ro. So di is a must. With either a di tank alone or a ro/di setup you simply need an onsite water source such as a water spigot. More than 9 times out of 10 this will provide enough water pressure to travel through a garden hose, into your purifying setup and finally through a supply hose connected to your pole. You can make pure water at your home or office and transport it in your vehicle. Then you would need a pump with at least 45 p.s.i. capabilities to move the water through the supply hose.

7

Tony & Dan, that answered my main questions completely – thanks!