I may have the chance of a contract for 5 luxury apartments, the gutters need emptying regularly due to large trees next door think they are pine and dropping needles everywhere. The owner said he was told scaffolding had to be used, I said as far as I know, the work at heights stipulates the ladder as a temp workstation would stil be suitable. A cherry picker or scaffolding would not be economically viable I wouldn't think

I do gutter jobs up the ladder every time. Both clearing and cleaning. Never had any problems... on houses.

I have allways thought that it is a skill to use a ladder properly, and when i say properly the guidlines written down dont mean anything. I dont say that lightly, but with experience comes skill. You learn how to balance, know your limits and most importantly never forget that one slip and you,re in for a fall, or worse.
  I do things up my ladder that some people cant watch me do, but, I know what I am doing and wouldnt risk my life for anything.
  I think that todays guidlines are there to reflect the 'accident' 'claim' society that we live in and doesnt have a place in the real world. Certainly not mine.

 Having said that, if you arent confident enough to do the work with ladders then dont. If it isnt your choice to, then you cant and have to use what they say.

 sorry if I rant

If a customer is paying me good money, then he's opinion is the always the correct one.

Worked with ladders for 32 years whilst I was a Fireman, so working at 1st floor level has never been a problem or any stress to me. That said , I never mounted a ladder in those days without some one footing the ladder. Personally I think its only a matter of time before Insurance companies will not entertain insuring workers who use ladders without some one footing that ladder. I think all window cleaners should consider using extension poles .... wether WFP or Conventional , as its safer and carrying huge ladders around is a 1960s thing. Lads , check out Waggas videos and move forward and stop carrying around ladders all day. Back to the post I dont see how you could do gutters internally without ladders , but take youre time and use every safety aspect you can , gutters can make you money but as we all know time is money to window cleaners and those safety aspects are usually ignored and accidents can happen. I am earning 50 % more per hour now than when I was when a Fireman , I use poles and have music attatched to my lug.... no stress , its just so enjoyable , and I thank Wagga for that ... he enlightened me.

Exactly! He likely knows nothing, but thinks he knows. Am I going to annoy him and argue the toss and tell him he's wrong?? If the customer wants to pay for scaffolding, it's an easy thing for us to go along with that.

But should the customer insist I use ladders, where scaffolding is really needed for safety, then I refuse the work and the customer continues to believes what he wants to believe. Never argue with the guy who pays the money. Walk away, but don't contradict him.

Ladders are safe!

It's the person up there who may be the problem. You can tie, bolt it to the wall or put some one on the foot and still fall off if you don't know what you are doing.

I am a little sick of this anti ladder attitude. Ladder use is a skill which needs to be applied with common sense.

Hilly - going slightly off topic. I have a pole system and only use ladders for access but need to use them for gutter cleans. Just wondered what the latest regs were.

@Hilly
 Sorry mate, but I really dont think its fair, or right, to post a comment condeming ladders and their use to clean windows.
 Ladders have been the bread and butter of window cleaning since the trade began. Just because there is an alternative to using them, which, only in my opinion, is inferior to using ladders, doesnt mean that they have no place in our trade no more.
  There is nothing wrong with ladders and they are the preffered tool of thousands of Window cleaners.... and customers in my experience.

Jimmy, I fully agree with your comments as below,

Ladders have been the bread and butter of window cleaning since the trade began. Just because there is an alternative to using them, which, only in my opinion, is inferior to using ladders, doesnt mean that they have no place in our trade no more.
  There is nothing wrong with ladders and they are the preffered tool of thousands of Window cleaners.... and customers in my experience.

I have enquiries from people asking for quotes because I am traditional and not WFP as they are not happy with the result.

I often read the posts on the WFP section and note all the problems you WFP guys suffer. From breaking pumps, the wrong TDS, leaks and black wriggling worms.
 

My ladder always works as does my Squeegee. I never take chances and never go up if 'It didn't feel right'. Just because we still use traditional equipment it does not mean we are foolish or more likely to die early.

Hilly,

I am not having a go at any individual, just the general attitude towards ladder use.

I agree, my health and safety is important as is everyone elses. With that in mind I am interested in how well your method works and would be interested in introducing it to reduce the ladder work.

I pole the odd difficult windows but I don't feel that I'm that good at it! So can I ask what equipment you use and how you went about perfecting the skill.
Also what are the pitfalls?

I will look forward to your reply.
 

come on jimmy , make life easier for yaself man. I have just been out canvassing and while I was talking to a poss future customer a van pulls up and its a customer that I do his house , his shop and his girlfriends house he told the futurecustomer (hopefully) that I do a tremendous job and as hey are friends its looking good ( actually poss just picked up 6 house)

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login


or get some of thee fitted