How to Take Care of Your Water Fed Pole
If you just made the investment into a high-quality water-fed pole, you’re going to want to ensure it lasts a long time. The best way to do that is through proper maintenance. I’ll break it down and keep it simple for you.
WHAT NOT TO DO
There are some things you should just avoid doing with your water-fed pole to help it stay in top condition. These poles are meant to be used with pure water systems, so avoid any sort of harsh chemicals. If you do pressure washing along with window cleaning, ensure any harsh chemicals don’t come in contact with your water-fed pole. That includes storing your pole in an enclosed trailer or space with your bleach solution. The fumes in the air can break down your pole over time and cause damage.
PRO TIP: When storing your water fed pole, it should be kept inside and away from direct sunlight. You can get a protective bag for the Micro and M9 poles that help to protect them when not in use.
When using your waterfed pole, don't overextend it! Be mindful of the indicators that show if you are overextending your pole. Poles are meant to have some overlap from section to section to keep them rigid and stiff. When you overextend, you start to put too much stress on the sections, and they can snap or break. When we say our poles are 30 feet long, that accounts for the overlap, so don’t think you have to eek out extra length. Each section has either a solid band of red or gold at the bottom or a red stripe on the section that shows when you’ve extended too far. Keep those colored indicators covered by the section below.
Another seemingly small thing is not to drag your pole as you work. When you pull your pole along behind you, the carbon fiber can get damaged, leading it to splinter and crack. XERO poles have End Defenders to help keep the carbon fiber protected, but they can't help if you mistreat your pole.
HOSE ROUTING
It is generally overlooked by window cleaners, but how you run your hose can vastly impact the performance of your water fed pole. I recommend running your hose tubing externally. Not only does it make it easier for when you need to add extensions, but it also keeps dirt from building up inside the pole.
XERO offers Hose Clips that hold the hose close to the pole so I don’t have to worry about it slapping against the building. You can also give it a couple of loose wraps around the pole to keep it close.
Running your hose internally can allow for dirt that gets picked up by the outside of your hose to get pulled up into your pole as you extend sections. Then it can cause extra friction between sections and clamps. It also leads to premature wear of the pole section.
CLAMPS
Are clamps a big part of pole maintenance? Absolutely! Making sure your clamps are secure keeps your sections in place without spinning. Overtight clamps can put stress on or damage the carbon fiber, and too loose clamps can let sections spin. If a clamp feels like it's not tight enough, just give it a little twist to tighten. Don't overdo it.
When working, be sure not to let sections slam down when you are collapsing your pole. This can knock your clamps out of alignment over time, causing them to not work properly.
With the XERO V4 clamps, you only need to open the lever a little bit before you're able to extend your pole. Don't try to force the lever completely open as that will just break it.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WATER FED POLE
Cleaning your pole monthly is what I recommend for regular users. It goes pretty quickly, and it removes any dirt that is starting to build up.
- Completely remove all sections from each other. This just requires opening the clamp and pulling the section completely out.
- Hose down all the sections, inside and out, to make sure they are clean.
- Then, using a DRY PTFE Spray, spray each section. That helps them stay clean and slide smoothly during extension and collapsing.
PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
XERO Poles come with a built-in end defender on the bottom section. Poles that pull apart like the Micro have end defenders on each section that is meant to be used as a base. Some end defenders are metal, and some plastic, but they do the same thing, which is, help protect the carbon fiber if it bangs against the ground. For even better protection, use an external end cap. These end caps further protect the carbon from getting chewed up by concrete.
PRO TIP: Don’t drag your pole across the ground. Always pick it up to move it and be careful to not knock it against the pavement as you work.
GET CLEANING
I hope that helps give you a good base on how to take care of your pole. These poles are investments and are designed to last a long time for cleaning windows. If you run into trouble, XERO has the Lifetime guarantee on carbon fiber and clamps so we can get you a new piece.
Meet the Author: SteveO is loved by his fans on YouTube where he demonstrates new tools and how to clean windows. He's continuing to share his wealth of knowledge for both aspiring and seasoned water fed window cleaning professionals.
