water fed poles/di machines

I had a RO machine for a while and it worked well but it wasted a lot of water so I stopped using it. DI tanks were much better but cost a bit more over the long term to have if you use a lot of water.

The RO system was a So Brite system and the DI tanks I just rented from Culligan for like $50 a recharge (about 8 years ago). I really don't need anything more than soft water for the washing I do now so i stopped using them.
 
I currently use di tanks. In the summer I spend about $1,000 a month in the summer on the di tanks. I plan on buying a to system this spring. The did tanks work great but get spendy they go bad with little warning.
 
RO and DI systems have their pros and cons.

RODI is better if your using it all the time, but too complicated and expensive if your not.

DI tanks are great if your using it once in a while. They are relatively cheap to rent or buy. Recharging fees vary from area to area. The problems are they can be expensive if your using them a lot. It's also hard to tell when they will run out and need to be recharged.

Advice on the pole... Get the lightest, stiffest, most user friendly one available. It is well worth the money. We have one of the older ones that is carbon, but is heavy and has hoses running through it. When the hoses break, it is a nightmare to fix them. There are new poles with no internal hoses, the water runs through a channel in the pole.

These systems have their place and when they work, they are great. Some jobs they don't work on and are a waste of time. I've found them to work well on maintenance accounts where the windows are not getting super dirty. We use them on all three story jobs. I don't allow anyone to go up over 24' on a ladder.
 
chris thats the kind of input i'm looking for. do you have any suggestions on brands and places to buy. I dont normally do windows but one of my accounts is wanting to add it on to my normal washing. over 100 condos all 3 story and over 600 houses all 2 and 3 story. lots of windows so its probably going to be used on a daily basis. Im trying to figure the most cost effective way to get started.
 
Greg - How often will they be cleaned? Are you going to get a long term maintenance agreement signed? If the answer is yes, and the revenue is sure to be there, go with a RODI system.

Call Patti at Jracenstein. www.jracenstein.com She is very helpful and can answer most questions or find someone in the company that can.

Unger makes a good pole called the CarbonTec Modular System and Ettore makes the Aquaclean Carbon Pro+ system. They are both pricey but it's money well spent on ease of use and longevity. There might be new ones too, I haven't been in the market for one in a while.

Factor into your bid that it is going to be a two man job. You have to have a spotter to look for obstacles and keep the operator from tripping on the hose. The guy on the pole is looking up all the time and it is very difficult to be aware of what is happening around you. It can also be fatiguing at heights of 3 stories plus, so it's nice to be able to switch off.

You can call me this weekend if you need any other help. Good Luck!
 
If you really want to do this right, a separate vehicle would be awesome! The RODI system needs a buffer tank because it can't process water fast enough. The system will take up some room and probably shouldn't be out in the elements. You could build pole storage into the sides of the van as well. You'll need a hose reel too and lots of hose, like power washing.

Then you could do some serious window cleaning!
 
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