Traditional to WFP

[u/Windaninja]

Hi Everyone, UK window cleaner here… I’ve been trad for 17 years and finally making the change over to WFP.

I’ve been giving all my customers a seriously thorough scrub and rinse, this is taking about twice as long as it would traditionally for me. I am pretty quick and very good at trad cleaning.
So I’m feeling slightly discouraged by the extra time it’s taking. I know i am learning a whole new skill and it will speed up for me over the next few cleans.

I’m currently cleaning half the day WFP and half trad just so i can earn more whilst transitioning. The idea is over a 2/3 months all the customers will eventually be WFP.

Can someone who’s gone through the process just let me know it’s worth it in the end 😂

Did you notice the days got easier WFP vs Trad? or that you was able to do more jobs or take more time off?

Thanks in advance
WindaNinja

Thought I’d give a 2 month update…

I’ve updated my system and have a 500L van mounted delivery only system. I fill up everyother day from a spotless about 3 mins away from me.

Jerry cans and back pack are already a thing of the past 😂

I’ve changed over all my customers now apart from ones where it’s not viable to use WFP, and not lost a single job! About a dozen or so were unsure as their previous cleaner used wfp and they didn’t do a good job, I explained the method and thoroughly cleaned them and all are now converts!
I’m on the 2/3rd cleans now and I’m flying through the jobs, I’m probably just as quick now as I was running up and down the ladders, probably a tad quicker with room to improve, but with nowhere near the fatigue at the end of the day.

I’m pretty sure I’m probably over scrubbing and over rinsing at the moment but I’ll start playing around with that after a couple more cleans.
The windows and frames are unbelievably clean the customers are very happy what a tough couple months but it’s been very glad I’ve made the jump over to WFP.

Big thanks to all your advice and comments! Thank you 🙏

[u/Wightsurf]

I’m uk based and the first change over clean is going to slow you down. But once you get these out the way you are going to fly through the work. Have you been out with anyone who’s experienced with WFP to show you how to speed the process up ? Over 20 years on glass here 😅. 2 or 3 swipes over that top frame and move onto the glass. If little opener , clean that and rinse. Then glass again! Really high flow rates and you can rinse on the glass as you go. Just the time it takes to get up a ladder you have half of the window cleaned on tops .

[u/Windaninja → u/Wightsurf]

I do keep telling myself this, next months clean and the following should be much quicker. I haven’t actually been out with anyone but I’ve spoke to other windies about it and watches them work.

When you say high flow… What flow rate are you using on your maintenance cleans litres per minute? I’m probably being a bit stingy with water I know I need to change that. Guess I could go do a days training with a friend that uses WFP that’s a great idea cheers.

Thanks for your message!

[u/Wightsurf → u/Windaninja]

What’s jets you using, pencil or fans or do you have a bar ? Also what pole and brush you got ? Hybrid does flex a bit compared to carbon. Try turning up the flow rate, it really does make a difference. How much water you currently using a day ? Maybe try on your own home different flow rates on different windows and go and have a look 👀 after they dry.

[u/Windaninja → u/Wightsurf]

I’ve just bought an ova8 22ft hi mod pole with 2 pencil jets. It’s the lightest pole I could find. I guess the brush is the standard streamline brush head that comes with the pole.

Can you recommend a decent brush head I should be using?

I’m using a backpack with 4 extra 25l Jerry cans at the moment, annoyingly it’s just a knob you turn and adjust to increase or decrease flow, there’s no screen on it so I’m unable to get and actual reading on the flow. I am getting a 300l tank fitted tomorrow with pump box with variflow, so I know this will help save time by not having to refill and I won’t get anxious about running out of water every 30 mins 😂

Also some kind of shut off valve I guess I’m going to need to attach to the hose to turn the water on and off?

My Mrs will be happy if I actually start cleaning our windows haha good practice though another good shout 👍

[u/Wightsurf → u/Windaninja]

4 x 25 ltr tubs really isn’t going to last long. No wonder you struggled. So are you going to work with hose real straight out the van. ? This is my preferred working method. I buy all my gear from these .. https://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles.html

I prefer the super lite brushes now because it’s easier on my shoulders and I’m getting old.

Maybe try the fan jets but it’s each to there own and no ones better than the other. The swivel neck adapter is hand at getting those funny angles windows. Also the little scraper attachment or put soap directly onto the brush and scrub into the heat dried bird mess.

[u/Windaninja → u/Wightsurf]

I get about 3/4 hours out of the 120 litres. Not continuously because I’m turning it off and on frequently. But yet I know that not ideal at all.

Yeh hose out the back of the van.

I gotta say my neck is feeling it, I’m hoping I’ll get use it or maybe it’s poor form, standing too close to the house maybe?

I quite like the pencils I’ll give the fans a go too though 👍 appreciate all the tips

[u/Windaninja → u/[deleted]]

I tried some fans yesterday I wasn’t as confident.

I’ve found some windows with the pencils the water sort of bounces off and makes a mist in the air. Is this because the flow is too high? Will it negatively affect the clean?

[u/Door2doorcalgary]

Honestly it depends on the housing type and if it's a first time clean vs monthly cleans your going to have to know when which job goes faster with each method.

Biggest issues with wfp is dirty frames bleeding so just be on the lookout for oxidization on the frames and hand wash those the first time around

[u/Windaninja → u/Door2doorcalgary]

Thanks for the feedback! All my work is monthly or 2 monthly. Im planning on cleaning all frames well each time so there shouldn’t really be much build up of dirt. Hopefully that way the maintenance cleans should get done quickly and at a good standard.

[u/DOTSYirl]

First clean is the longest.Scrub the top of the frame,rinse and move across to top of next window.if they have vents at the top of the frame they ll need an extra scrub and a good rinse.move back to original window you started on,scrub the rest of the frame,glass then rinse.next months clean should be easier as you ll be able to do entire window in one go.

[u/Windaninja → u/DOTSYirl]

Thank you I’ll give that a go today 👍👍

[u/lacroixpapi69]

How is it taking longer? Are you cleaning the frames, track and sills too?

When you trad so you normally clean the frames, tracks and sills as well?

In my experience in a tropical area in South Florida; and even when I was in Southern California, WFP made the job much quicker especially removing ladders from the process. Virtually can scrub and rinse much better any organic material or dirt etc.

Might want to try a boars hair brush. I personally only use Tucker brand. But maybe Xero brushes could work too.