You will undoubtedly have seen window cleaners using poles, with a brush on the end, cleaning their client’s windows. This system is called Water fed pole, and in simple terms, the pole and brush, is a method to deliver pure (De-ionized) water to the window, the brush agitates the dirt and the water washes the dirt away.
There are basically three types of poles on the market, here is some information, from a leading supplier.
Water Fed Poles are generally composed of the following materials – Each has their own unique benefits.
Aluminium
Aluminium poles are very sturdy, and extremely hard wearing, but can be heavy when compared with alternatives. For this reason, they lend themselves perfectly for domestic usage but can be a little difficult to control above 25 or 30ft. Nonetheless, they are an excellent starting pole, especially for those on a budget
Glass Fibre
Glass Fibre poles are known for their lightweight design and affordable price point, making them a great option for those looking to save money. However, they can be more flexible than other materials when fully extended, which can make them challenging to control as the height increases. We recommend these poles for use up to a maximum of 22ft. Nonetheless, they are perfect for those who prefer a lightweight pole over the sturdiness of an aluminium pole
Hybrid or Carbon Composite
As the name suggests, these poles are made by combining different materials, with around 50% of the material being carbon fibre.
Hybrid Poles are designed to offer some of the benefits of a full carbon fibre pole at a lower cost. They are sturdier than Glass Fibre Poles and lighter than Aluminium Poles, striking a balance between the two. As a result, they are an excellent all-around option for daily cleaning. We recommend these poles for use up to a maximum of 30ft.
While they may be heavier than carbon fibre poles, hybrids are still relatively light and priced between aluminium and carbon fibre poles, making them a popular choice for new window cleaning businesses looking to balance cost and benefits.
Carbon Fibre
Carbon Fibre is the gold standard of telescopic poles, they are equal parts robust, rigid & lightweight. The average price point is higher than the aforementioned poles, but once you’ve used a carbon fibre pole, you’ll struggle to go back. Carbon fibre is recommended for use up to 50ft, and is especially important if you are using the pole all day, every day.
Light, robust poles relieve a lot of the strain on your body caused by cleaning at height with a water-fed pole. It’s common to hear veteran Window Cleaners advise to invest in a carbon fibre pole right from day one.
HiMod and Ultra HiMod Carbon Fibre
For professional window cleaners who need the highest performance tools, these are extremely lightweight and rigid poles. Hi-Mod & Ultra Hi-Mod water fed poles are made from high-grade carbon fibre, with a narrower pole thickness, this allows the pole to remain incredibly rigid, with reduced weight.
If available in your budget, you won’t beat these poles for efficiency and can be used at anything from up to 70 ft, not to mention the reduced strain it puts on your body – Your shoulders and back will thank you in the long run!
We at Window Cleaning Solutions use the Gardiner SLX 22 for our regular window cleaning. We find this pole is gives great rigidity, but not too heavy
So, next time someone says “You just spray water on the windows”….well 🙂
