How To Choose The Right Waterpole

Once you understand the benefits of waterpoles for window cleaning, you may be wondering how to choose the right waterpole for your business. There are many different styles of waterpoles on the market, and they each come with their own pros and cons. Rather than pinpointing specific models of waterpoles that may suit your business, we are going to look at some of the different factors that will influence your decision. You can weigh out your options from there to determine which waterpole is right for you.

How High Should The Waterpole Reach?

The height of your waterpole will need to be based on the type of work you plan to do with it. Think about the types of jobs you plan to use this window cleaning tool on, and then determine how long it needs to be. For a general rule of thumb, use this chart:

• For projects less than 30 feet, use an aluminum or fiberglass waterpole.
• For projects between 30 and 40 feet high, use fiberglass or a carbon fiber/fiberglass hybrid waterpole.
• For projects between 40 feet and 65 feet, invest in a carbon fiber waterpole.

These recommendations are partly based on weight and cost, which we will discuss in further detail in the next two sections.

How Light Should The Waterpole Be?

If you are going to be using your window cleaning waterpole for long periods of time, you will want it to be as light as possible. Not only will this keep your arm from cramping, but it will also give you less to lug back and forth with you to work. Of course, lightweight construction comes at a price, which you will need to keep in mind when making this kind of investment. Consider the following:

• Aluminum is the heaviest construction material for waterpoles and extension poles, but it is also the one most readily available. This is not ideal for waterpoles beyond 30 feet in length because of its weight and lack of rigidity.
• Fiberglass is a medium weight construction material, lighter than aluminum but heavier than carbon fiber. Because carbon fiber is on the pricy side, this is a good alternative that still offers some weight saving. If you need something that is a little more reinforced, you could always explore a carbon fiber/fiberglass hybrid waterpole.
• Carbon fiber is the lightest waterpole construction material, but it is the most expensive as well. If you are not going to use your waterpole that often or that long, you may be better off with one of the other materials.

How Much Can You Afford To Invest In A Waterpole?

When it comes down to it, you have to think about your return on investment. How much will you be able to get out of investing in a waterpole, and how much does that mean you can spend on one? If you only need it for one of your clients, you may not want to spend money on the Rolls Royce of window cleaning supplies. Think about the following:

• The cheapest waterpoles on the market are made from aluminum.
• The mid-range priced waterpoles are usually made from fiberglass or a carbon fiber/fiberglass hybrid.
• The most expensive waterpoles are made from carbon fiber, and they may include Kevlar or other additives for strength and stability.

Putting It All Together

Which waterpole is right for you? Unfortunately, that’s something you’re going to have to decide. Consider the cost, weight, and reach of each waterpole you look at and determine which model best suits your specific needs. Worse comes to worse, you can invest in a cheaper waterpole in the beginning and upgrade to a more expensive one later on if the return on investment is high enough.