Need Some Window Washing Advise...

Palmetto Roof

Palmetto Roof

Member
Looks like my wife has landed a large job for us to clean windows on a new construction building. 4-5 stories tall,more details will be coming today. My question is..... What is a standard window washing mix made of, and i'd like to x-jet this if possible. Some help please!
 
I hate to burst your bubble, JB, but CCU window cleaning is all up close and personal attention to every inch with a 6" scraper in one hand and a scratched glass damage waiver in the other.
:(

You can call me if you need help. We used to have a Window Cleaning forum but it tanked. :D
 
Jeffrey,
Try this link for help:
http://www.brilliantwindows.com/
There is a section that sells books and videos.

This link is to Dan Fields site dealing with scratched glass. Might be worth looking at just in case:
http://www.stopscratchedglass.com/

Construction cleanup can be a real pain. EVERYTHING gets on the glass. Paint, joint compound, dirt, dust, etc, etc, etc. You will need a soap mix with alot of soap as a lubricant so you minimize the risk of scratching the glass. Never, ever try to scrape dry glass.
You will need a couple different size glass scrapers with plenty of replacement blades, a quality lambswool or synthetic soap applicator and a couple different sized squeegies. Spend some time practicing at home.
Good Luck.
 
Good to go! I'm reading now! I'm also getting more details through text messages through out the day. I'm still 2,900 miles from home. I am just guessing but cleaning windows that are aged is easier vs. new construction window cleaning.
 
hey jeffrey

I've always found with regular (not post- construction) windows that it is best to get "hands on" with windows as often some agitation is needed to remove atmospheric pollutants - it also the best way to get into all corners and leave the quality job that you want to be known for.

I used to work in a leisure center that had a frontage of windows about 40 ft in height - 6 banks of windows. The guys we had cleaning them used a water fed extension pole with a soap buffer attachment and squeegee blade. Results were usually good, but would have been better on a lift or ladder in my opinion - would have been able to really get into corners and inspect quality up close.

My .02
 
If I scrubbed whe windows with soap, could I rinse with an x-jet feeding some spot free Cascade dishwasher soap? Sound like a plan? I also will be using a lift!
 
Jeffrey you seem like a heck of a go-getter. But some stuff is best left to those that specialize. That's a hell of a place to cut your teeth for window washing. All I know about window washing is it takes way more work/skill than I ever imagined. And people pick your work to death. Sounds like a good job to sub to guys that do it daily and make some money without touching it. I formed a good relationship with a window washer that doesn't power wash and we trades leads weekly. Been very profitable for both. Good luck.
 
Palmetto Roof said:
If I scrubbed whe windows with soap, could I rinse with an x-jet feeding some spot free Cascade dishwasher soap? Sound like a plan? I also will be using a lift!
Click to expand...

Been there done that Jeffrey, I tried it on a town home association that I had to clean. I even tried with Jet dry... No worky worky! Ended up having to borrow a ladder high enough to get to the 2nd floor windows and the job took me 2 extra days :(
 
Palmetto Roof said:
If I scrubbed whe windows with soap, could I rinse with an x-jet feeding some spot free Cascade dishwasher soap? Sound like a plan? I also will be using a lift!
Click to expand...

No.

Jeff, if you're not up to speed on CCU you need to pass on this.
You will have to deal with stickers, drywall mud, mortar, stickers, and silicone on the windows. Each require different products and techniques to safely remove.
The frames also have to be cleaned and you can't use the same stuff on the frames that you use on the glass.
Lurking in the background is a scratched glass lawsuit waiting to pounce.
 
Palmetto Roof said:
If I scrubbed whe windows with soap, could I rinse with an x-jet feeding some spot free Cascade dishwasher soap? Sound like a plan? I also will be using a lift![/QUOTE]

I priced an 80 foot lift for a condo job I have my eye on. $850.00 delivered for the first day (Florida). Kinda bites into the profit margin. More to windows than you would think. Post constuction makes the challenges times 10.
just my .02
Click to expand...
 
Thad said:
No.

Jeff, if you're not up to speed on CCU you need to pass on this.
You will have to deal with stickers, drywall mud, mortar, stickers, and silicone on the windows. Each require different products and techniques to safely remove.
The frames also have to be cleaned and you can't use the same stuff on the frames that you use on the glass.
Lurking in the background is a scratched glass lawsuit waiting to pounce.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this. We were a window cleaning company before pressure washing. We had some very expensive doors scratch on a job due to poor tempered glass quality. Dan Fields helped us a lot with the issue and we learned a lot about the subject. Threats of lawsuits and angry builders are not something one wants to deal with. Learn maintenance window cleaning first before tackling post construction. We tend to shy away from this type of work now because most builders don't want to pay what it cost to do the job right.
 
I agree with Chris. We cleaned some windows on a house a year after it was moved into. We used a DI water and a soft brush. The windows were scratched and we did not know it and the home owner say we did it with our brush. That is imposible. The properety manager thinks she did me a favor by get the guy to accept $500 for the damage that was there. I will be seeing the pm on Monday.
 
I agree with everyone else.

We used to clean windows but there isnt any money in it.

You have to ask yourself if it goes bad is there enough money in it to make it worthwhile,and can you make it right if you scratch the glass?On a 5 or 6 story building your talking thousands maybe a hundred thousand dollars worth of glass.

Risk versus reward.
 
JC, there is excellent money in window cleaning.
Just like PW you have to charge right for it and target the right jobs.
 
Thad said:
JC, there is excellent money in window cleaning.
Just like PW you have to charge right for it and target the right jobs.
Click to expand...

When it comes to low overhead, minimal hassle and simplicity of equipment you can't beat window cleaning! I've never had to come back to finish a job because my squeegee broke down.
 
Lenny Schrecengost said:
I agree with Chris. We cleaned some windows on a house a year after it was moved into. We used a DI water and a soft brush. The windows were scratched and we did not know it and the home owner say we did it with our brush. That is imposible. The properety manager thinks she did me a favor by get the guy to accept $500 for the damage that was there. I will be seeing the pm on Monday.
Click to expand...

I know the feeling. That's the worst, getting blamed when you didn't even do it.
Did you pay the $500? I would take the brush and demonstrate for them by rubbing it all over an unscratched window, then check the results. Don't pay if you didn't do it! Maybe get some letters from other window cleaners stating the impossibility of this scenario. It's possible that the brush could have had sand stuck in it or another contaminant that would scratch, but highly unlikely. We use hog hair brushes for Construction Cleanup instead of strip washers for their ability to not push sand against the glass.
 
The guy I trade leads with has over 2,000 regular window customers and several crews. He makes a good living with it. But he makes sure a new employees spends a lot of time with a crew leader before he turns them loose. He's been down the road many times defending damage he didn't do and sometimes an inexperienced employee did do.
 
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