Many homes and buildings have unique structural conditions that pose challenges for window cleaning service providers. Here we offer a few examples and suggest you inquire with your window cleaning contractor about the work plan to address these different factors.
Height
Window heights above two stories (or ~25 feet) create accessibility challenges for window washing. If cleaning by hand with mop and squeegee, professionals can clean windows at height using several different methods:
- Tilting in: Modern double-hung windows on homes are built to slide up and down, as well as tilt forward and back. This means that windows on the third story or above may be cleaned from the inside by tilting the sashes in.
- Water-Fed Pole: Many window cleaning service providers use water-fed extension poles, which run purified water through a water-fed brush at the end of telescoping carbon fiber poles, to safely clean high windows from the ground.
- 32’ or 40’ Ladder: Use of longer extension ladder allows contractors to reach windows above the second story and clean by hand.
- Aerial Work Platforms: Boom lifts or articulating lifts (i.e., aerial work platforms) are common equipment used in commercial window cleaning. These machines can allow commercial window cleaners to comfortably reach windows at six stories or even higher. Their use is limited on residential homes as the cost can be prohibitively expensive.
Inoperable or Painted Shut Windows
Windows that are painted shut or do not open/close properly create cleaning challenges on residences that have exterior storm windows. Typical storm windows (additional window sashes / frames for insulation purposes) sit on the outside of the home’s built-in windows but are removed from the inside of the home, requiring that double hung windows slide up and down in working order. A painter or window installation contractor can help you fix these issues.
Broken Glass
Whether due to aging, environmental factors (bird collisions, tree limbs), or human error, windows do crack over time. Most window cleaners will avoid cleaning cracked or broken window glass out of consideration for the safety of technicians and a desire to mitigate further damage to customer property.
Exterior Storm Windows
Second story storm windows that are only removable from the exterior, as opposed to sliding in and out on tracks from the inside, pose safety and risk-of-damage issues for window washers. These situations may include storms with exterior clips or those screwed-in to the wooden or aluminum frame. Such window styles are rare, but you do see them on older homes, and contractors must ensure they have a good safety plan in place to remove exterior storm windows at heights without breakage. In these situations, it often makes sense to just clean the exterior of the storm window glass and not attempt removal.
Screens
Screens block direct access to the window glass, so they must be removed prior to cleaning. Most screens are easily removed from the outside with a screen removal tool. Some screens, namely half screens, have interior clips or hooks that can only be released from inside the home, which means the property owner or contractor must go from window to window releasing clips so that the cleaning can take place and relocking at the end of service.
Unusual Window Styles
Most new build homes utilize thermal pane window glass. Which has the benefits of being attractive, energy-efficient, and easy to maintain. However, there are a handful of unusual window styles out there that require alternative maintenance approaches for window cleaning, and here are just a few examples:
- Leaded Glass Diamonds: These Tudor-style windows are incredibly unique, having first appeared in England in the 15th century. However, they are challenging to clean with a mop and squeegee due to the unusual size and shape of the window panes. The use of a chamois cloth & sponge or water-fed pole can often be effective, but the best method depends greatly on the age and condition of the glass.
- Jalousie (Louver) Windows: Jalousie, or “Louver” windows as they are called, tilt open and closed, almost like glass window blinds. They require a lot of patience and a very meticulous style to clean properly by hand.
- Vinyl or EZE Breeze Windows: Vinyl windows have become an incredibly popular feature on rear porches to give spaces a true “indoor / outdoor” quality. Often described by a common brand name, “EZE Breeze,” these windows cannot be cleaned using traditional methods, but require use of a specialized vinyl cleaner and soft micro-fiber towel. Vinyl windows must be removed and replaced in a specific order in multi-track frames.
- Skylights: The method for safe skylight cleaning depends on their location on the home. Contractors may safely access 1st story skylights on low- or no-slope roofing and clean by hand, however 2nd or third story skylights on severely sloped roofing necessitates the use of water-fed poles to clean efficiently and in accordance with U.S. safety regulations. The water-fed pole technique will only be successful if the window cleaner can stand at an appropriately-facing angle to the skylights. Trees or other landscaping can oftentimes impede these window cleaning method.
Do you have window cleaning challenges at your home? Call today at 804-231-0749 to request a free consultation.
