What is a water fed pole?

What is a water fed pole?

A water fed pole (WFP) is a pole with a brush attached at one end and a small internal water line that sprays water out of the brush head. The water fed pole is used for cleaning windows, canvas and glass awnings, decks, and anything else you can imagine.

Generally, water fed poles are telescopic, which means there are several sections that fit into each other and each section can be extended out to make the pole longer. Very similar to legs on a camera tripod but much bigger. Water fed poles can reach up to 70 feet!

A water fed pole is excellent for washing house siding, house gutter faces, recreational vehicles, cars and trucks. A simple technique of putting soap on the brush bristles and with water flowing through the brush head combines to make the water fed pole an excellent tool for cleaning hard to reach places.

Water-fed poles are made of 4 materials:

1. Fibreglass water fed poles offer the lowest cost. Fibreglass poles are very durable however, extremely flexible, and not recommended over 20 feet. Longer than twenty feet and a fiberglass pole is like spaghetti and hard to control. This over flexibility is exhausting for the worker and energy inefficient. Not recommended for long term use. Fibreglass WFPs are still very durable and great for shorter lengths. An ideal usage would be for cleaning recreational vehicles where a 10 to 12 foot reach would be acceptable. Blackbird Pole Systems does NOT offer fibreglass water fed poles.
   
   
2. Aluminum water fed poles are a lower cost yet very durable. The first water fed poles were aluminum. They tend to be heavier and very flexible, so better suited for under 35 feet in length. Because of the low cost, aluminum poles are an excellent cost for janitorial companies that need a WFP for occasional use. Blackbird Pole Systems does NOT offer and aluminum water fed pole.
   
   
3. Hybrid water fed poles are a blend of fibreglass and carbon fibre. A hybrid pole is excellent for someone just starting in the window cleaning industry. With the addition of carbon fibre the pole is stiffer and lighter than both the aluminum and fibreglass water fed poles. Over 35 feet and over flexibility becomes an issue, which again leads to lack of control and inefficient use of the worker’s energy. That said, a hybrid water fed pole is still an excellent pole because of the cost/lightweight/stiffness and superiority over fibreglass and aluminum. We recommend a Hybrid WFP as a perfect solution for occasional use. For example, a janitorial contract that requires a 20 foot reach to clean an awning once a month. Blackbird Pole Systems offers the Hybrid 27’ water fed pole.
   
   
4. Carbon Fibre water fed poles are very light, very rigid, and very durable. These features make carbon fibre the professional choice for a water fed pole. The stiffness of this amazing material enables safe workable reaches of up to 70 feet! A window cleaner can clean windows up to the 6^th floor working from the ground.
   
   The only downside to a carbon fibre water fed pole is the cost, generally 2-3 times higher than aluminum, fibreglass or hybrid materials. However, because of greatly reduced worker fatigue and very high reach, the cost of carbon fibre is absolutely worth it.

The carbon fibre water fed poles can be bought in two grades of carbon:

• Regular modulus, which offers good rigidity and robustness at a little lower cost than a high modulus pole;
• Or high modulus carbon fibre, which is stiffer and lighter, but not quite as robust as the lower modulus material. If you can afford it, go for the high mod pole.

At long or short lengths, the carbon fibre water fed poles is supreme. Why? Because of carbon’s extreme lightness and rigidity which lead to these benefits:

1. Greatly increases worker’s speed and hence profit;
2. Reduces worker fatigue and thus can work a full 6-7-hour day;
3. Reduces injury from repetitive strains and high torque on worker’s back and arms.
4. Reduces worker training time because of ease of use and light weight.

Evaluate to choose the right water fed pole:

Is most of your work window cleaning? Are you a professional window cleaner? If so, we strongly recommend one of our carbon fibre poles – the Blackbird Moneymaker or Blackbird Specialist. The 50 foot models are the most versatile and extensions can be added to reach over 60 feet. These poles easily come apart so to reduce weight we recommend you only use the pole sections you need at the time.  If you have no higher reach work, the 27 foot length is an excellent choice.

Lower heights and occasional use? The Hybrid 27 water fed pole’s cost/weight/durability is excellent. We recommend our Hybrid 27 foot pole if your washing is:

1. Lower heights, for example, second floor windows, residential home siding and gutters;
2. RV cleaning or car and truck washing;
3. Occasional washing, such as monthly glass awning cleaning.

Please contact us at clean@blackbirdps.com for more information.