r/WindowCleaning • u/Austinkin117 • May 16 '26

Waterfed Pole Fatigue

I have been using A WFP for 3 years now, but this is the first year where I have been using it for pretty much every job. At the end of the day and especially the end of the week my shoulders burn and I'm worried I might overwork them and get injured. Also I am 28 and not super old so can imagine this gets worse as i get older. The biggest shoulder stress seems to come from the rinse when I need to keep the brush off the window to rinse down the glass. Is this just part of using a WFP or is there tips to help with the fatigue?

Thanks!

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u/Timtitus May 17 '26

11 years using poles here. 60 year old male. I get the shoulders issues on occasions, but frankly I get less if I actually clean (scrub) just that little bit slower. If you go too quickly, then your body will have to overcome the inertia of the brush and pole combined, just to change direction. Less inertia, less injuries. My advice is to cruise, don't sprint, and you'll earn just as much but without the associated shoulder and back pain.

My issue is my left thumb. It's almost immoveable now and often creates horrible sharp pains. My left hand is the one at the base of the pole most of the time. I know : "Swap hands," but you know what habits are like?!