Water Fed Systems

A DI only system uses deionisation resin to strip minerals from the water in a single stage. It is simpler, more compact, and cheaper to buy upfront. An RO/DI system adds a reverse osmosis membrane before the DI stage, which removes the bulk of the dissolved solids first. This means the DI resin lasts much longer because it only has to polish the remaining trace minerals. If you are in a soft water area (under 100 TDS), DI only can be very cost effective. In a hard water area, an RO/DI system will save you significantly on resin costs over time, even though the initial price is higher.

The right size depends on how much water you use in a day and how many operators will work from the system. A smaller capacity system like the FaceLift Compact 325 suits solo operators covering a typical residential round. Larger systems such as the FaceLift Phoenix 500 or 650 are better suited to busier rounds, commercial work, or two person crews that need more water on board. If you regularly run out of water before finishing your round, or if you are running two poles at once, it is worth stepping up to a higher capacity. Think about your current daily usage and allow a little room for growth.

It depends on the type of work you do. A portable setup like a backpack or trolley is ideal if you are just starting out, working on smaller residential rounds, or need to keep costs low. These are lightweight and easy to transport without a dedicated van setup. A van mounted system is better for full time professionals who want everything in one place, ready to go as soon as they arrive on site. Van systems hold more water, produce water faster, and support longer working days without needing to refill. Most cleaners who move to a van mounted system find their daily efficiency improves significantly.

A delivery only system is a van mounted setup that stores and delivers purified water but does not include its own filtration. You fill the tank with water that has already been purified elsewhere, for example from a static RO unit at your home or unit. This is a popular choice for businesses running multiple vans from a central location. Each van carries a delivery only system, while one main filtration unit handles all the water production. It keeps the cost per vehicle lower and simplifies maintenance because there are fewer components in each van.

Yes. Water fed systems are very versatile. As well as windows, you can use them to clean frames, sills, fascias, soffits, conservatory roofs, solar panels, cladding, and signage. The combination of purified water and a brush head works well on most exterior surfaces. Many window cleaners use their system to offer additional services and increase their revenue per job without needing extra equipment. Solar panel cleaning in particular is a growing add on that works well with the same pole and brush setup.

Purified water with a TDS (total dissolved solids) reading of zero is naturally aggressive at absorbing dirt and contaminants. Because all the minerals have been removed, the water actively pulls dirt, grease, and grime off the glass as it makes contact. The brush agitates and loosens the dirt, and the pure water rinses it away. When the water dries, nothing is left behind because there are no minerals to form spots or streaks. It also means there is no sticky residue on the glass afterwards, so the windows tend to stay cleaner for longer compared to traditional methods using detergent.

A powered hose reel retracts your hose automatically at the press of a button, which saves time between jobs and reduces the physical effort of winding it back in by hand. Over the course of a full working day, the time saved adds up. Powered reels also tend to wind more evenly, which helps extend the life of the hose. Manual reels are simpler, lighter, and cheaper. They do the job well and are perfectly adequate for most setups. The choice often comes down to personal preference and budget, but if you value speed and convenience on a busy round, a powered reel is worth considering.

TDS stands for total dissolved solids. It is a measure of how many minerals and impurities are present in your water, expressed in parts per million (ppm). For water fed window cleaning, you need a TDS reading of 10 or below to get a spot free finish. Ideally you want it at zero. Your incoming tap water TDS also determines which type of filtration you need. Low TDS areas (under 100 ppm) can often get away with a DI only system. Higher TDS areas will need an RO/DI system to avoid burning through resin too quickly. A simple handheld TDS meter is an essential tool to check your water quality regularly.

For most professional window cleaners, yes. A water fed system lets you work faster, safer, and more efficiently than traditional methods. You spend less time setting up and moving ladders, which means more windows cleaned per hour. The safety benefit is significant too, because you are working from the ground rather than at height. You can also reach windows that would be difficult or impossible to access with a ladder, which opens up jobs you might otherwise turn down. The upfront cost is higher than a traditional setup, but most full time cleaners find the system pays for itself within a few months through increased productivity and the ability to take on more work.