If you are afraid of heights, then window cleaning is the job for you! There is no better way to overcome your concern with heights then being up on a ladder every day. Unfortunately window cleaning does demand ladder work, even though you clean windows with a water fed pole. Though it can be worse, you will be a high rise window cleaner scaling down several stories with ropes or cranes. Unless you clean single story only, you will discover yourself on a ladder ultimately.
For your average residential window cleaner there are a few basic size ladders to consider and some ways of maneuvering those ladders that can save you hard work. I clean two story homes and sometimes three story. THEREFORE I will undoubtedly be directing my comments for window cleaners who intend to go at least two and possibly three stories.
Here are a few size ladders on the market. I personally own a sixteen foot and a 24 foot ladder, plus a step ladder. When I first started window cleaning I owned a 28 foot ladder, which is as large as I would recommend for a single person. Anything over twenty eight should be handled by two people. A twenty eight isn't light to go with and use, but it will certainly build muscle. The twenty eight is necessary if you are considering three stories and can really be pushing the limits for the third story.
The 24 foot is perfect if you only plan to clean two stories, and you may rarely find any challenges for reaching second story windows. The twenty four is also about 25 pounds lighter than the twenty eight. I love how light the twenty four is, but sometimes I wish I still had a twenty eight for all those tough windows that are just a little too high, taking me out of my safe place to clean them. For anyone who is new to windows I recommend getting the twenty eight even though it is heavier. You do not want your 24 fully extended with you standing on the top two rungs reaching for the top of the window trying to clean, squeegee and detail the window on a hot windy day. Talk about scary, it's scary enough with the right size ladder when you initially begin, just reaching for your washing wand and squeegee not attempting to let go of the ladder.
Now the reason why I don't have the 24 and a twenty eight is my rack only holds two ladders and I also own a sixteen foot ladder. This ladder is indeed light it's like heaven once you only have to use it. I wield it around with one arm. The sixteen is the ladder you will take in the home most of the time for those vaulted ceilings with second story windows. Although, sometimes you need to take in the twenty four, which is better then taking in a twenty eight. Also the sixteen is sometimes the ideal size on certain situations externally, where the 24 is to tall.
Click here for info is the step ladder that is 3 to 4 feet tall. That is handy if you don't use the pole a lot. I love to be right through to the window where I can see everything on the window, that way I don't miss any spots and it's a shorter distance for possible dripping inside the home. I really believe the pole method is faster however once you have it down.
When it comes to the larger ladders there is something you must have which is ladder levelers. Ladder levelers enables you to set the ladder through to uneven terrain. They give you about a supplementary foot or so to utilize. You can buy ladder levelers and attach them to the ladder or buy a ladder with them already built-in. I don't believe the built in ones are as nice or are well. I also prefer the ones which have round feet at the bottom as opposed to the square kind. Since we are talking accessories additionally you need it ladder mitts for the tops which means you don't scratch up the walls.
When it arrived at maneuvering the ladder there's one very important technique that I learned. Once you have your ladder up right, don't take it back down unless you have too! When High Rise Window Cleaning London move the ladder to another window, move it upright. The way to do this would be to pull the ladder away from the wall so it's straight up and down. Then stand up against the side of the ladder with it in front of you. Next place your strong arm directly without a full extension but near fully extended and grab the nearest rung. Grab together with your other hand the nearest rung that's about waist high. Now with an excellent grip push straight up in the air so that your strong arm is fully extended and lock your arm. Use your lower arm to greatly help hold and balance the ladder. You can even use your body against the ladder to greatly help balance it. Now simply walk with your ladder to the next window.
This straight arm technique will save you time and energy. Make sure you look at the journey above you and before you before you lift the ladder and commence walking. You do not desire to hit trees, a satellite dish, the home or anything for example. This can cause the ladder to fall over and destroy property, thus ruining your day! I recommend practicing with the sixteen first.