Cleaning pool gutters for fun and profit

I used to refuse to do these jobs. But since then I have figured out how to do these pretty efficiently and safely. It just took some getting used to.

The debris in this gutter has been there for about a year. It’s quite heavy. And there are braces inside the gutter that keep the stuff from just flowing straight out. After this part of the job, I have to blow it off the screen, too, and then clean the dirty deck below.

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My cup runneth over

I just want to thank all my customers who saw fit to make sure I stayed busy this week. Some of you had power washing that I could do. Some of you let us do the inside windows until the weather clears up and we can get to the outside. And some of you have had your windows cleaned for years and are aware that the rain doesn’t get windows dirty; dirt does. Every one of you was an important part of keeping us going this week, and we are grateful!

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Tires Plus Resolution

Sorry it took awhile to get back on this. I just want to say that, regardless of my differences with Tires Plus about what they charge for services, their corporate website is very useful for getting someone to get right on your problem. While I was still fuming over the event I had with their store on 13th Street I went to the site and used the contact form to unload on them about my experience. Within 20 minutes I had a phone call from the store manager, and he was eager to make reparations. I stopped in the next morning and he refunded the difference ($137 and change) and said that he hoped that I would consider continuing to do business with them.

Even with the swift action and refund, I am still going to seek out another garage because even the adjusted price is one that I think can be beaten by someone else by a pretty good margin. However, if you have been a satisfied Tires Plus customer, and you ever have a problem with them, go to the corporate web site and let ‘er rip. It has been my experience that most corporate web sites are nothing more than glitzy billboards in cyberspace, and that hearing back from someone is a rare thing. In this way, they have truly distinguished themselves.

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Screwed by Tires Plus

I seldom put this sort of information on my blog, but I am feeling so burned by this particular dealer that I am going to do my part to make them infamous. I have spent thousands of dollars at a local Tires Plus shop on NW 13 Street over the years. The relationship is OVER permanently. I am now searching for another place where my family can get its 3 vehicles serviced, which we do often. I have used them in the past largely because of the convenience of being able to walk there to pick up my car. Now I see that I can probably arrange for limousine service to go to another garage with the money I could be saving.

Any suggestions are welcome in the comments section.

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Another roof saved from filth

I don’t do too many of these. At least, I leave the really steep ones to other people. But I felt pretty safe on this one. The finished product is shown below, after about 2 and 1/2 hours…

Of course, there was a lot more to this roof than this, but this was the worst of it.

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Dave Ramsey’s Town Hall for Hope

Many of my customers ask me how my business is doing. After I tell them, they often reveal how worried they are about the future. They frequently know someone who is on the rocks, or can tell me that they are not so hot themselves.

This Thursday night there is a live event being simulcast to over 6000 locations. There are 11 of those locations in our town.The event is called Town Hall for Hope, and it is being presented by Dave Ramsey, the personal finance guru with a very popular radio show. I’ll cut to the chase:

Locations:

  • Harvest Christian Church

    4820 NW 34th St

    Gainesville, FL 32605 Get Map Map

    Plan To Attend
  • Vineyard Christian Fellowship

    3536 NW 8th Ave

    Gainesville, FL 32605 Get Map Map

    Plan To Attend
  • 1st Assembly of God - Gainesville, FL

    2925 NW 39 Avenue

    Gainesville, FL 32605 Get Map Map

    Plan To Attend
    Notes:
    If possible, please RSVP if you are attending to Craig Morrison (352) 317-8992. Thank you.
  • Westside Baptist Church

    10000 W. Newberry Road

    Gainesville, FL 32606 Get Map Map

    Notes:
    Westside will host the Town Hall For Hope in the church’s Choir Rehearsal Room. Enter via the double doors on the west side of the main building and turn left in the first hallway. The room will be on the left. *Childcare is not available for this event.
  • Abundant Grace Community Church

    12505 NW 39th Avenue

    Gainesville, FL 32606 Get Map Map

    Plan To Attend
  • Grace United Methodist

    9325 Newberry Rd.

    Gainesville, FL 32606 Get Map Map

    Plan To Attend
  • Trinity United Methodist Church

    4000 NW 53rd Avenue

    Gainesville, FL 32653 Get Map Map

    Plan To Attend
  • Holy Faith Catholic Church

    747 NW 43rd Street

    Gainesville, FL 32607 Get Map Map

    Plan To Attend
  • Legacy Baptist Church

    255 South Main St

    Alachua, FL 32615 Get Map Map

    Plan To Attend
    Notes:
    This building is AKA The Alachua Women’s Club. Childcare will be provided. Do not use the mapquest format. Please call for directions. 352-494-6636
  • First Baptist Church, Alachua

    14005 NW 146 Ave.

    Alachua, FL 32615 Get Map Map

    Plan To Attend
  • union baptist church

    6259 se 75 ave

    newberry, FL 32669 Get Map Map

    Plan To Attend

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“I am back from the beach!”

Once in awhile, Don the window cleaner just needs to get away. My wife, Cindi, and I did just that with a quick trip to our closest resort city, St. Augustine Beach. I just cannot get enough of the ocean, so I take every opportunity to go even if it’s just to feel salt water between my toes. I get up early while the sun is still coming up, and just take in the sea air, listen to the surf and the sea birds, and walk in the waves.

For our accommodations, we stayed at La Fiesta on A1A. It’s a locally owned and operated beach resort with rooms for 2 going from $109 to $159 for something that actually faces the water. I just needed to be able to walk to the water, so we took the lesser option. I talked to another guest later on who said he booked his rook on Expedia and saved 50%. Live and learn.

The room had a couple of twin beds, a microwave, fridge, and coffee maker, and a view of the putter golf place next door. That was fine. I was there for beach access. As an added bonus, there was a heated pool and the water was just right. And that’s a good thing because the water in the ocean is still pretty cold.

After checking out Sunday we went into town and walked around until we got hungry. Some friends had recommended a Greek restaurant on the street called Athena’s. It was a very old building, and they seemed to be grandfathered into a time when restrooms were not required. The quick review is: Service/slow, Gyro/excellent, Lamb Souvlaki/marginal, Water/awful, Prices/ fair. I guess we didn’t choose well.

We also roamed around a couple of galleries that were on the same block. I wish I could remember the name of the artist in this one, but the building featured three stories of his amazing work. All in all, it was a relaxing weekend, and I will get on with returning your calls ASAP!

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On the mend

In the proud tradition of Marsh Window Cleaning, I was able to keep my illness confined to a weekend so that I am not missing any work. However, I know I was not well enough to get some phone calls and estimates done. Hang in there! I will get to you!

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Cleaning the patio screen

Here in Gainesville, the Tree City, we get a lot of these green pollen stains. There is something you can do about it. One of my long time customers decided she could wait no longer, especially since she has company this weekend.  Now she has this:

She got the windows cleaned, too, naturally.

Give us a call now!

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Snakes on a Page

This is one of the two snakes that were in the hedges at my customer’s house. There was one on each side of the walk. Fortunately, they were not dangerous. When I was a kid, I used to catch these guys and stuff them in my pockets!

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