Finally did it....

I am in the process of buying a RO/DI water fed system and a water fed pole.

About 3500 gets me in the door. I can reach three stories high from the ground. 160 feet of hose, plus the 50 foot from my water hose hookup.

Smartest thing you have ever done, sir.

I see the guys around here with buckets and vinegar all the time and it always amazed me that they didn't run DI systems.

I don't know if it is too late, but check with Dultmeier Sales on that stuff....they normally have very good prices on DI systems used by car washes.

A DI/RO system is a serious investment, compared to anything else a window cleaning company buys (unless you do high rise).

But I am sold on the stuff Perry Tait and thefutureofcleaning.com sells. The VALUE in the equipment is bar NONE, the absolute best. I am ordering a wash-it pro (ro/di system) and a 3 story Reach-it mini. Also picking up an extra 160 foot of Rhino tube.

My system will be portable, and not mounted in a van/truck. I also will not be carrying water. I'll hook up at the clients home.

I did the bucket and squeegee for two years. Nothing wrong with it, just it's better with a WFP and zero TDS water.

So, I guess there will be no turning back to carpets for you then?

Aren't you going to miss cleaning up pee and baby in a jade green wall-to-wall shag carpet for a cheap bastard who keeps the house at 95 degrees year round due to arthritis?

No, no more residential carpets. It would only be commercial (small) carpets after hours.

Since I started cleaning glass, I have absolutely LOVED doing it. Don't get me wrong, I liked cleaning carpets too, but it is a lot more "hassle" than window cleaning. A lot more equipment and hoses to deal with, as opposed to windows.
I make great money cleaning glass.

One thing we NEED in my area, is roof soft washing. However, just like carpets, I'm not convinced people will pay what it should be worth, to get it done. That's an even bigger investment than a RO/DO and a waterfed pole.

Just remember, those cheap bastards have windows too! I get call from them for estimates all the time, and I love making their jaw hit the floor with my estimates. I don't work for beer money. I run a business, not a charity. It's because of the nature of those no win estimates, I have seriously thought about charging a FEE for estimates.

I think every carpet cleaner reaches that point after many years where dealing with those hoses become no better than rolling the rock up hill for life.

I applaud your awareness to locate a new direction...even if it ends up being just a break for a few years prior to returning to carpets.

Post Script: I probably shouldn't use the word "break" when talking to a glass cleaner.

How heavy is that pole with long hoses to reach 3 stories ? Wouldn't that kill your arms after some time ?

He would be well trained for fly fishing after a year of that.....like the Hulk on the creek.

Wfp?
TDs?
What does a DI/RO water do better?

dp1 wrote:How heavy is that pole with long hoses to reach 3 stories ? Wouldn't that kill your arms after some time ?

It's a carbon fiber pole. It's not all that heavy, but if you were running it 10 hours a day, you'd know it. The hose in it is actually pretty small. A garden hose feeds the filter unit, but it's small hose that feeds the water to the glass. Think the size of a fish aquarium line. It's not much bigger than the air hose to feed the aerator on an aquarium.

Matt; My carpet cleaner wrote:Wfp?
TDs?
What does a DI/RO water do better?

Water Fed Pole. WFP.
Total Dissolved Solids. TDS
RO/DI water is pure water. As in like distilled water. It leaves zero residue or hard water spotting. It also has cleaning power.

milspec6 wrote:He would be well trained for fly fishing after a year of that.....like the Hulk on the creek.

I already fly fish.

Freemind1 wrote:

Matt; My carpet cleaner wrote:Wfp?
TDs?
What does a DI/RO water do better?

Water Fed Pole. WFP.
Total Dissolved Solids. TDS
RO/DI water is pure water. As in like distilled water. It leaves zero residue or hard water spotting. It also has cleaning power.

Is that what Zero rez use ?

how do you clean the window sills and tougher debris off also just be able to see it up close to know it was cleaned well?

or is commercial a bit different and it just needs a wipe? just wondering because my guy doing windows for us is pretty against the WFP. he just sticks with the idea that you cant see the window well up close so if any razor blading or steel wool scrubbing is needed it wont do the job well enough

maybe hes old school but hes pretty set on getting up close with ladder and doing it by hand

dp1 wrote:

Freemind1 wrote:

Matt; My carpet cleaner wrote:Wfp?
TDs?
What does a DI/RO water do better?

Water Fed Pole. WFP.
Total Dissolved Solids. TDS
RO/DI water is pure water. As in like distilled water. It leaves zero residue or hard water spotting. It also has cleaning power.

Is that what Zero rez use ?

I think so, but don't they use something in the water to turn the PH slightly acidic?

ACpower1 wrote:how do you clean the window sills and tougher debris off also just be able to see it up close to know it was cleaned well?    

or is commercial a bit different and it just needs a wipe?        just wondering because my guy doing windows for us is pretty against the WFP.        he just sticks with the idea that you cant see the window well up close so if any razor blading or steel wool scrubbing is needed it wont do the job well enough

maybe hes old school but hes pretty set on getting up close with ladder and doing it by hand

There is a brush on the end of the pole, brother. You can brush sills, frames, and even the siding of the house, if you wanted to. When the window is dry (usually not long after cleaning) you'll see if there are streaks, spots, or whatever on the glass.

I don't do commercial, but will for the right money. You just can't run a WFP in winter here. It would freeze.

I never blade glass anyway, unless there is a sticker or something similar on it. Don't use steel wool either. I use mops that have a scrubber strip, to get off the "gunk" on windows for now. It works great, and NO risk of damage to the glass.

Your guy is just plain old school, and unwilling to learn something new. A WFP will GREATLY speed the job up, make life easier and SAFER, and make you bank. If he falls off the ladder, it will likely cost you more than the whole WFP system I am buying. And I got several "extras" like extra tubing, a gooseneck kit, extra resin, and an extra boar's hair brush. All for less than 4K.

I even bought an Indoor pure water indoor kit a week ago. REALLY liking it so far. No more belt and stuff clanging around inside the home. It does a great job.

Old school is fine, but the newer technology is faster, safer, and just plain better. It really makes you money, when comparing it to traditional-old school methods.

Can you add a camera to that pole? A simple back-up camera would do the job and allow you to see closer to the window for those flaws. Cost maybe $150.

As for that "Zero" cleaner, they don't use DI water. They only use their magic bean blessed by the Pope water. Okay, it is just salt water and a soap-free product from what I have seen...the only "special" thing about it is the marketing and all the water-heads that belief it.

Perry Tait has added a go-pro to his pole on several occasions for training purposes, Rob. You could add one I guess, but don't see the point in it.

When the water coming down is clear, there isn't any dirt left on whatever you were cleaning.

Interesting info, FM.......Thanks!

in this area it's always seemed like window cleaning is more cut throat than what we do, so I've never had interest in doing it.

I expect some day, at least one other person will get the idea to start a window cleaning business to Davey. But I don't care if they do. I am THE professional here. I have a lot invested in equipment and learning.

As good as you are with carpet cleaning and selling it, I have no doubts if you started a window cleaning division, you'd do just fine. Just stay clear of commercial if you can. Commercial is the lowest paying, most cut throat side of it.

Freemind1 wrote:Commercial is the lowest paying, most cut throat side of it.

Ain't it like that in almost any business ? It's a pity !

It sure is....I blame accountants