Im relatively new to window cleaning. I can’t afford a wfp system. Therefore i have to use a ladder and/or pole to clean high windows. I’m asking people with experience… Which is better using a pole: swivel type squeegie or regular? I have couple of combination squeegies (mop on one side/squeegie on other side). Also what degree squeegie is better?
2 Likes
Depends on the glass that you are cleaning.
However there are 3 types of squeegees fixed handle, articulated and swivel.
Fixed handle squeegees are the worst choice for pole work.
I believe articulated are the best for the high high stuff as a swivel is best for lower pole work and experienced users.
1 Like
if you are new you may have a hard time getting good quality, long pole work is not easy to get right.
1 Like
What is articulated squeegie? Is this one?
Yes
Are you cleaning residential homes or storefronts?
If you’re doing homes I’d recommend using a ladder. Nose to the glass is best in a home. Really hard to get it perfect with a pole and squeegee on a second floor residential window. The guys on YouTube make it look easy. Trust me it’s not easy.
9 Likes
I agree with the above. Ladder is best on residential if not using wfp. Pole is sometimes good for interior high residential. All squeegee types have their place. Zero degree is great for skylights, deep sills and even fanning on a pole. A traditionally angled articulated squeegee is best for straight pulls with a pole. A Moerman or Wagtail type swivel squeegee is great for higher storefront glass and the Moerman handle has adjustable angles.
2 Likes
What is an articulated squeegie?
Swivel. Excelerator or Wagtail will save you time after mastering the technique. Advice on Resi pole work is true - go nose to glass.
25 degree is good and 40 degree on storefront with 1 inch sills or deeper, think Unger Ninja. Ettore Contour Pro+ is also very good.
1 Like
For me I prefer using a fixed handled squeegee for pole work. I love the Unger Ninja handle because you can use it fixed (which I do 90% of the time) and on those rare occasions where you just can’t reach it right with a fixed handle you can unlock the swivel on the handle. It is really going to just boil down to personal preference. I would try different squeegee and techniques and pick one that suits you best. You will also find that you might use different handles and techniques for different styles of windows.
4 Likes
Trad squeegee for straight pulls, swivel if you’re fanning.
Pole fanning takes plenty of practice, and gets much tougher above 10 to 12 feet.
3 Likes
Get a wagtail and you will have best of both worlds, you can tighten the swivel and pretty much have it locked for trad
1 Like
Hello Chris and welcome to the forum!
1 Like
It depends on the situation and what you are more comfortable with.I started with ettore backflips and its been said here earlier by someone that fixed squeegees are the worst.I disagree.I think if you are trained and practiced with a fix type squeegee they work just fine and just as good as a swivel or any other wacky device you can get.I use back flips, old style brass ettore squeegees,sorbos, moremans and wagtails, guess what they all work and all have the same end result some just work better in some situations and some are faster than others so get what works best for you I used trial and error.as for what degree,depends if you are able to stand right under the window or if you have to step back from it.if you have to step back then a squeegee like the liquidator that can go 0 degrees is more helpful in that situation.different tools for different situations
1 Like
In an ideal situation where you can stand square under the glass at all times a fixed handle will work fine.
Daily I come across instances where a fixed handle would present a problem on the finish its the most of an issue, I have seen people use them then just pop a rag on the pole to touch up. I don’t touch up pole work at all ever. but if you at a 10 or more degree angle from a square stance due to the environment then you cannot start the final stroke cleanly, which the first and last are most important since most people will use some kind of variant to the 7 method so everything in the middle is gravy.
So with a fixed handle you will be at a positive trailing edge meaning the water will run off the wrong side of the blade creating a streak, but like I said this is for high high pole work 18’+
if its lower then it doesn’t really matter, but still the ability to adapt and use like a 30" to vertical pole a large store front in 1 pull vs 4 horizontal pull down to where you can reach.
I don’t actually have any fixed handles in my inventory they are all articulated but the wag and the excelerator, I used the excelerator today on some 15’ high glass, it worked nice and smooth and about 30% faster.
2 Likes
Rare occasions
Swivel tools are a must when doing storefront
Back in the old days they didn’t have them. @BostonMike. Will agree to that. Me when I started they had them
Nose to glass for resi if no WFP for me.
I don’t use those waggy things.
2 Likes
I would most likely do both of those with a fixed handle but there are those rare occasions where it’s nice to have a swivel handle. That’s why I love the Unger Ninja handle. It’s both when you need it. I just like using a fixed handle.
I started with a fixed handle and after a year or so switched to the Sorbo wide body channels and swivel handle for everything, both commercial and residential. After about 5 years I switched back to fixed handles. Brass for residential and Sorbo channels with a Ninja handle for commercial.
Everyone likes something different and I have probably seen and tried most everything. I have enjoyed working along side other window cleaner for years and seen different ways of doing things. I love to see and try new techniques.
2 Likes
I use fixed for resi. When I use squeegees for resi I’m always nose to glass
For store fronts I’ve always , An still use a swivel squeegee.
I switched to a fixed strip washer couldn’t stand when my strip washer would get loose . I tend to be a little more ruffder with my strip washer so it would get loose a lot.
I switched to swivel once the ninja handle was introduced to me. I love the fact that you can lock an unlock it.
I agree to each is own. Not one way is right , or wrong.
I hate working with a lot of tools on me i I never wear a boab while doing route work
I would rather carry my bucket with tools in it.
The deal is once you start understanding exactly what you need for each stop … that’s all I’ll bring out.
Most of the time it’s my 24" squeegee , an a 22" strip, Or 30"" , an 30".
I very rarely need a different size tool.
Most of he time I carry a squeeze bottle with solution in it. If that bottle don’t cut it I bring the bucket.
Always a scraper ,a rag , an a towel for insides to wipe up.
I keep it lite an simple. Less is better for me
I know Luke likes to carry everything An leave the bucket in the truck if that works for him then it’s all good nothing wrong with that.
Whats this thread about again. Lol. Oh yes pole work. What ever works best for ya. Ya have to try different thjmgs. Different tools , different techniques.
Through out your day sometimes you need to swivel most of the times you don’t
Sometimes you feel like a nut sometimes you don’t
My honest opinion is why not just have a swivel as long s it is comfortable for ya
3 Likes
I agree, we dont need more chaos then normal!
1 Like
