History of Carbon Fiber Water Fed Poles in Canada – Part 1

History of Carbon Fibre Water Fed Poles in Canada – Part 1

In the early 2000s Gardiner carbon fibre water fed poles became very popular in the UK and then slowly made their way to the North American market. Vancouver, Canada window cleaners found it very difficult to purchase a Gardiner carbon fibre water fed pole. Gardiner strictly would not sell directly to Canadian customers, and in the early years did not have a Canadian importer.

So Vancouver window cleaners would buy from an American Gardiner water fed pole distributor and personally bring them across the border paying additional import duties and taxes. Vancouverites eventually could own a Gardiner carbon fibre water fed pole but because of so many layers and much effort the price was very high. Because of this Vancouver window cleaners often gave up and continued to use and struggle with the old aluminum Tucker water fed poles.

The other challenge was many of us Vancouver window cleaners had only heard of carbon fibre poles but had never used them. It was also a big leap of faith to spend $3000 on a water fed pole. It seemed like so much hard-earned cash.

However, slowly but surely over the last fifteen years most of us have realized carbon fibre water fed poles are the best, fastest, and safest way to clean windows.

After using my first Gardiner carbon fibre pole for a couple years I began to hate my aluminum Tucker pole more and more. It was heavy and made high window clean exhausting. The Tucker pole was fragile. The aluminum sections would easily bend, and the compression fittings and clamps would often break of crack and fatigue. Parts were expensive and hard to get. The Tucker pole brush was good but would easily break in half if dropped. The Tucker aluminum water fed pole was a good idea, but a bad design and aluminum was the wrong material. It worked in the 1980s but its day had passed. For me “good riddance”.

The 50’ Tucker pole was still kept in my window cleaning van but was buried beneath a pile of ropes and hoses, never used. Then the Tucker pole moved from the van to my garage, where it sat for another couple years.

Finally, about five years ago a family friend wanted to borrow my carbon fibre water fed pole to clean the house windows and gutters. That was not going to happen! But I had an idea. Give him my detested aluminum tucker pole! He loved it! He thanks me every time I see him. Ignorance is bliss as he has yet to use a carbon fibre water fed pole.

Until next time…