If you're afraid of heights, then window cleaning is the job for you! There is absolutely no better way to overcome your fear of 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 could be a higher rise window cleaner scaling down several stories with ropes or cranes. If you don't clean single story only, you will discover yourself on a ladder eventually.
For the average residential window cleaner there are several basic size ladders to consider and some ways of maneuvering those ladders that can save you time and energy. I clean two story homes and sometimes three story. So I will be directing my comments for window cleaners who plan to go at the very least two and perhaps three stories.
There are several size ladders out there. I personally own a sixteen foot and a 24 foot ladder, and also 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 really be handled by two different people. A twenty eight is not 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 twenty four foot is perfect if you only intend to clean two stories, and you may rarely find any challenges for reaching second story windows. The twenty four is also about twenty five pounds lighter than the twenty eight. I really like 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. Should you be new to windows I recommend getting the twenty eight even though it is heavier. You don't want to have your twenty four fully extended with you sitting on the most notable two rungs reaching for the top of the window attempting to clean, squeegee and detail the window on a hot windy day. Discuss scary, it's scary enough with the right size ladder when you first start out, just reaching for the washing wand and squeegee not attempting to let go of the ladder.
Now the reason why I don't possess the twenty four and a twenty eight is my rack only holds two ladders and I also own a sixteen foot ladder. This ladder is so light it's like heaven once you only have to utilize it. I wield it around with one arm. The sixteen is the ladder you'll take in the home quite often for those vaulted ceilings with second story windows. Although, sometimes you have to take in the 24, that is better then consuming a 28. Also the sixteen may also be the ideal size on certain situations on the outside, where the twenty four is to tall.
The last ladder is the step ladder which is 3 to 4 feet tall. That is handy unless you use the pole a whole lot. I love to be right up on the window where I could see everything on the window, this 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.
With regards 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 an extra foot or so to work with. You can purchase ladder levelers and attach them to the ladder or purchase a ladder with them already built in. I don't believe the built in ones are as nice or are well. I also choose the ones which have round feet at the bottom instead of the square kind. Since we are talking accessories you also need it ladder mitts for the tops and that means you don't scratch up the walls.
When it come to maneuvering the ladder there is one very important technique that I learned. After you have your ladder up right, don't take it back down unless you have too! When Commercial Window Cleaning Corby move the ladder to the next window, move it upright. The way to do this is 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 before you. Next place your strong arm straight up with out a full extension but close to fully extended and grab the nearest rung. Grab with your other hand the nearest rung that's about waist high. Now with a good grip push straight up in the air which means 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 also use your body against the ladder to help balance it. Now simply walk with your ladder to the next window.
This straight arm technique can save you time and energy. Be sure you look at your way above you and before you before you lift the ladder and commence walking. You don't want to hit trees, a satellite dish, the home or anything for example. This may cause the ladder to fall over and destroy property, thus ruining your day! I would recommend practicing with the sixteen first.