If you’ve seen someone cleaning second story windows from the ground with a long pole and a hose, that’s a water fed pole. It’s how we clean most exterior glass. Here’s how it works, how it compares to the classic squeegee and ladder, and when each one makes sense.
How a water fed pole works
The pole is a long, light carbon fiber mast with a soft brush on the end. Water runs up a thin hose inside it and sprays out through small jets in the brush.
The key is the water itself. Before it reaches the pole, it runs through filters that strip out the dissolved minerals that are in normal tap water. That leaves pure water. Pure water has nothing in it to leave behind when it dries, so the glass dries clear on its own. No squeegee, no towel, no spots.
On a job, we scrub the glass and frame with the brush, then rinse with pure water. The dirt gets carried off and the window air dries spot free.
How traditional cleaning works
Traditional window cleaning uses a soapy solution, a scrubber, and a squeegee to pull the water off the glass, then a towel to detail the edges. Done well, it gives a crisp, perfect finish. It’s still the best method for some glass.
Side by side
- Second story windows: the pole reaches them from the ground. Traditional cleaning usually needs a ladder.
- Frames and sills: the pole scrubs and rinses frames as it goes. Traditional cleaning focuses on the glass, with frames wiped separately.
- Residue: pure water leaves nothing behind. Soap can leave a light film if it isn’t fully removed.
- Interior glass: traditional wins. You can’t run a water hose inside a home.
- Detail edges: a hand squeegee gives the sharpest finish on French doors and small panes.
Why it matters in Atlanta
Atlanta windows deal with two big things: pollen every spring, and hard water spots from sprinklers and storms. Pollen is sticky, so it takes a real scrub, not just a rinse. And because pure water leaves no minerals on the glass, it doesn’t add new spots while it cleans. If your windows already have hard water stains, those need a separate hard water removal treatment first.
So which is better?
For most homes, the answer is both. We use the water fed pole on exterior glass because it’s safer, reaches high windows from the ground, and dries spot free. We use a hand squeegee for interior windows and anywhere detail matters most. That combination is what gets every pane clean.
What to ask any window cleaner
- Do you use pure water, or tap water?
- How do you clean second story windows?
- Do you clean frames and sills, or just the glass?
- Do you check the work with me before you leave?
Our answers: pure water, from the ground, yes, and yes. See what’s included in our window cleaning, or save on every visit with a cleaning plan.
