The short answer
In S&K's height tiers, water-fed poles are part of the access mix up to seven stories, alongside lifts and ladders. Above seven stories, work moves to rope descent and swing stages.
On a real building, the practical reach depends less on how long the pole is and more on what stands between the sidewalk and the glass.
How water-fed pole cleaning works
- Purified water is pumped up a telescoping pole to a brush at the glass.
- The technician scrubs and rinses from the ground. No lift on the lawn, no ladder at the door.
- Purified water carries no minerals, so the glass dries without spotting.
What limits reach on a real facade
- Setback. Landscaping, planters and parking push the technician back from the wall. The farther back, the flatter the angle and the less control at the top.
- Overhangs and canopies. Anything that projects from the facade blocks the pole's path to the glass above it.
- Wind. A long pole moves in the wind, which costs control at height.
- Overhead power lines. Carbon fiber poles conduct electricity. Lines near the facade rule out poles on that elevation.
- Glass condition. Heavy buildup and hard-water staining will not come off with a brush and rinse. That glass needs hand detailing or glass and metal restoration.
Where water-fed poles are the right call
- Routine cleaning on regularly maintained glass
- Storefront upper panes and second- and third-floor glass
- Mid-rise elevations with clear ground access
- Sites where a lift would block entrances, lawns or parking
See Storefront (1-3 stories) and Mid-Rise (4-7 stories) for how the mix works at each height.
Pole, lift or rope access
| Method | Where it fits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Water-fed pole | Storefront and mid-rise, from the ground | Setbacks, overhangs, wind, power lines |
| Aerial lift | Mid-rise glass a pole cannot reach well, or glass that needs hand detailing | Ground space and surface for the lift |
| Rope descent or swing stage | 8+ stories, worked from the roof down | Certified anchors and a safety plan |
How S&K plans it
Most mid-rise buildings need more than one method. We set the mix on the walkthrough, elevation by elevation, and run a safety check of the access plan on every visit. Crews are trained, insured S&K W2 employees.
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