Monday 13 July 2015

Should I Hand Clean or Pressure Wash My Windows

A lot of people own their own pressure washers these days, and that makes it tempting to clean the windows of their homes, offices, and businesses with these tools. The truth is that pressure washing can be more damaging than helpful. Pressure washing delivers a powerful blast of uninterrupted water to windows that are not made to withstand such forces, and the effects can be devastating.

Whenever possible, you should hand clean your windows or have professionals do it for you. Most people are not experienced enough to handle pressure washing equipment from ladders or scaffolds, and many receive terrible injuries from attempting to clean their windows with these tools. Hand cleaning your windows ensures that the least amount of damage will be done to your home and your body, and that makes investing in a qualified professional window cleaning crew much more logical.

Among the issues professionals understand about providing the best cleaning services possible are hard water issues, time and efficiency techniques, health and safety issues, and the best techniques for removing dust, grime, and stains by hand. When a low pressure application of water may be of help, too, your well-trained, highly experienced team of window washers will have the proper tools and the proper skills to ensure that your windows are not damaged by the application.

The sorts of damages that often occur as homeowners attempt to clean their own windows with pressure washers are torn and destroyed screens, cracked panes, damaged wood, and water seepage. In some cases, water will be forced under panels and vinyl siding. Further damage occurs as that water breeds molds and mildews that might lead to irreparable or costly issues within the home. When mold is of a variety that may make your family sick, the effects will be even worse. It is better to avoid such problems altogether by not attempting a quick fix cleaning with a piece of equipment that is not ideal for window cleaning.

Hand cleaned windows look better, are more thoroughly cleaned and dried, and are less likely to become damaged during service. In fact, where hand cleaning is performed, windows are much more likely to look brand new for years to come. This is because hand cleaning removes water quickly and easily rather than allowing the water to evaporate from the surface. Where hard water is an issue, evaporation leaves damaging minerals.

When you do not have the time and/or skills, hiring professional service providers makes sense and saves money.  To find a residential window cleaning company in San Diego, visit this website.

A Minimalistic Stained Glass Design

This vintage cottage window shows that when it comes to stained glass, sometimes less is more. The emerald green corner accents make a simple, lovely statement.


Taking Care of Windows During a Drought

     


Drought conditions can make exterior home maintenance a pain, and the results are about more than just the look of the property. Dry, desiccated landscaping can be an erosion hazard if it is not carefully drought-proofed. Similarly, your home’s exterior can be stressed by the dry conditions, and some kinds of weather sealant and stripping can lose mass and succumb to dry rot if it is not carefully cleaned and maintained. The trouble is, water conservation means eliminating a lot of the intensive cleaning and maintenance you are used to doing.

Window Washing is Cost-Effective Water Use

Window washing is an extremely conservative process that can help to save those vulnerable areas of your home. Between their specialized cleaning agents and well-developed approach, professional window washers can usually do an entire house with only a couple of gallons of water. This allows you to keep up with a vital part of your home’s maintenance, no matter how tight the local water restrictions get.

The benefits of keeping your windows clean during a drought include:

  • Better environmental conditions inside the house
  • Effective preventative maintenance of window hardware
  • Prevention of dry rot and other issues caused by dirt and buildup

Working The Net With Gary Mauer

A window cleaner for over 30 years, Gary Mauer is an industry giant. He is one of the founding fathers of the IWCA, founder and operator of the very popular Window Cleaning Network, relentless champion of the fabricating debris/scratched glass issue, and consultant / contributor to the American Window Cleaner Magazine....read more

Should I Clean My Greenhouse Windows?



A greenhouse is a home to many beloved plants. For that reason, it needs to be maintained properly. Here are three reasons why the windows of a greenhouse should be cleaned regularly.

1. Algae

A greenhouse has concentrated sunshine and heat, which maximizes plant growth. This type of warm, enclosed environment encourages algae to grow on the windows. “Algae” is the plural of “alga”. It is a Latin word that means seaweed. Thinking of algae as seaweed growing on the glass causes one to understand why cleaning the windows is necessary.

2. Hard Water Deposits

If hard water is used to water the plants, the calcium from the water is deposited on the glass when the water droplets evaporate. Water with high mineral content is considered to be hard. The more the calcium accumulates on the windows, the less heat the plants receive because the windows are obstructed due to the hard water deposits.

3. General Dirt, Dust, and Grime

Just like the windows of any home, dirt, dust, and grime build up on greenhouse windows, too. Dirty windows affect the level of sunlight entering the greenhouse. Less light may lead to straggly plants.

One should consider the overall cleanliness of the greenhouse as well. A tidy greenhouse will prevent pests and diseases from spreading in the heated and humid conditions. Botanists understand that algae, hard water deposits, and general dirt, dust, and grime need to be removed from windows to allow for proper light and heat to penetrate the plants. Please visit this website for more information on residential window cleaning in San Diego.

About American Window Cleaner Magazine

American Window Cleaner Magazine was founded in 1986 by Rod Woodward and Richard Fabry. The mission of AWC was to help advance the profession and to inspire window cleaners by providing industry-wide communication....read more

Ladder Safety According to OSHA


 

There are many safety guidelines that need to be followed when cleaning windows. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has provided requirements for three different types of ladders.

1. Portable Wood Ladders

All wood parts of the ladder should be free of sharp edges, splinters, decay, or any other irregularities. The ladder should not shake or wane, and ladders should not be constructed from low-density wood.

2. Portable Metal Ladders

This type of ladder should have no structural defects or hazards such as burrs or sharp objects that would cause accidents. The metal should meet test requirements for strength and should be protected against corrosion. The rungs or steps spacing should be 12 inches. The rungs and steps should be knurled, dimpled, corrugated, and coated with material that is skid resistant. This minimizes the possibility of slipping. The minimum width of a straight ladder or section of an extension ladder is 12 inches. Single ladders or individual sections of ladders should not exceed 30 feet in length.

3. Fixed Ladders

OSHA requires that the minimum design live load should be a single concentrated load of 200 pounds. The number of additional concentrated live load units of 200 pounds should be anticipated according to the usage of the ladder. The distance between rungs and steps should not be more than 12 inches. The minimum length of rungs or cleats cannot exceed 16 inches. To hire commercial window washers in San Diego, visit this website.

A Literal Translation of Lewis Carroll’s Book Title



This statue of curious Alice is a stunning translation of the title of Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s book Through the Looking Glass.


How to Clean Window Tracks


 

When it’s time to open your windows to let some fresh air in, you’ll want your window tracks to be clean and free of debris. Letting dust and dirt in, along with the fresh air, is probably not your intention. Here is an easy, three-step process for cleaning window tracks.

1. Use a Vacuum

If you can, remove the screen. Use a vacuum with a hose attachment, and vacuum up the dirt, dust, and dead bugs.

2. Use a Damp Cloth

Once the vacuuming is done, use a damp cloth and a small bucket of water. Squirt a bit of dish soap in the water. Wipe the dirt and grime away with the damp, soapy cloth.

3. Use a Window Track Cleaning Brush

If your windows tracks have not been cleaned in a few years, you’ll likely need to continue with this step. Use a brush made for cleaning window tracks; or if you don’t want to invest in such a brush, a toothbrush can work quite well. Dip the brush in the soapy water and scrub the track. Doing so should remove the excess dirt and grime. Occasionally, a putty or butter knife might be needed to scrape off stubborn dirt. Wipe the track clean with a cloth.

Now, you can bring the outside in by opening your windows with clean window tracks. The fresh air is sure to take away any musty odors and leave you feeling invigorated.  Visit this website for more information on window cleaning services in La Jolla.