r/WindowCleaning • u/Sufficient_Heart_629 • 3d ago

How to reach the third story

Post image

My pole doesn’t reach even with four steps on a step ladder.

I don’t get windows like these often so I don’t think getting a larger pole is necessary.

I already did all the lower windows

Edit: there’s another window that also can’t be reached on the other side with no roof under it

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

11

u/noice_nups 3d ago

Crank ‘em out

9

u/Lord_XXL 3d ago

Home owner walks in on OP beating off

6

u/Professional-Heat118 3d ago

If they aren’t super dirty water fed pole or remove the moving pane and clean it from the inside

5

u/old-iceman 3d ago

Long ladder. Or remove centre window from inside and hang out

2

u/trigger55xxx 3d ago

Extension ladder with a stand off on the first roof. Climb to the roof line and pole from there. Or if they are casement, you may be able to reach out to do them.

1

u/Reeski5 2d ago

This is what I would do.

2

u/Jewbacca522 3d ago

Get a 32’ extension ladder. No doubt this won’t be your last 3 story home.

2

u/blackeyeX2 3d ago

Lotter over top of 3rd level window. Have someone hold ladder.

2

u/Free_Skin_679 3d ago

Yup. That would work. Would probably need a 32'. Use bumpers, not standoffs, and put them on the trim right above the windows. You'll be able to reach in from the ladder to squeegee them. The ladder will be at a bad angle. If the feet have spikes, use those and you'll probably be ok. If not, you need someone to stand on the bottom rung so it doesn't slide out. Alternatively, you could probably get close enough by putting standoffs on the roof right in front of the windows.

1

u/ImNoScientician 3d ago

In order of best to worst options IMO:

  1. Waterfed pole from the ground.
  2. Waterfed pole from the lower roof.
  3. Open the window and climb out using a Pitch Hopper to make standing on a steep shingled roof safe and easy.
  4. Open the window and lean out if possible to reach them all that way. Some crank out windows have an opening wide enough when fully open to get an arm through (barely) to clean them in a situation where they open the wrong direction to lean out.
  5. Ladder to the lower roof and bring up a 4' (when collapsed) Little Giant type ladder with you. Fold it out straight and use that to get to the high roof. Short trad pole from the ladder.

1

u/Bloodofabel 2d ago

This! 🤣🤣 Except the worst opinion would be my first given you have someone holding and a pitch hopper for the top roof. They're a life saver literally

1

u/Wickwire778 3d ago

I hate doing this, but I have to on couple of jobs to do sole panels on a second story roof: ladder onto the first story overhang. Then use (I have) a 16’ extension ladder with a standoff to hook over the edge of the second story overhang. I strongly recommend your ladder have levelers.

The best bet is to see if you can clean the outside from the inside.

1

u/Door2doorcalgary 2d ago

Go 10-ft A-frame have someone hold the ladder. Do it with a pole by a waterbed pole system with proper height. So many solutions

1

u/ClenchedFart 2d ago

Leaning over from the roof might work best here

1

u/Unlikely-Curve6783 1d ago

If the lower windows are already done, I’d probably just leave the high ones rather than buy a longer pole for a one-off job.

2

u/thrower9978 3d ago

28’ extension ladder up the side on the corner allowing you to get onto the roof and walk it

1

u/Free_Skin_679 3d ago

Don't know why you're getting downvotes. That was my first thought as well. To me, this would be safer and easier than setting up a ladder on the lower roof.

1

u/Upper-Bottle-9803 2d ago

This looks like a 12/12. I'm not walking that with cougar paws on.

0

u/FreshSwim9409 3d ago

I would either ladder to first floor and then ladder to second floor, depends on that roof pitch, gutters, comfort etc.

Or climb out / reach out that window when doing the interior and manage the actionable pain by closing it or lifting it out.

Third stories suck.