If you are relatively new to the role of buying or managing window cleaning services then it might be useful for you to know in advance the sort of problems that might arise. Read further to find out some of the problems.
Being aware of the potential problems listed below might enable you to think in advance about how you will handle them when they occur, or better still to have a dialogue with your window cleaning contractor to identify how they will handle them.
Window cleaners do not turn up on the agreed dates or times.
Equipment failures (often but not always caused by poor maintenance).
Weather conditions preventing cleaning. This applies especially to windy conditions where rope access is involved, but snow and ice can also be problematic.
Staff sickness. Illness can hit any business, but the smaller the company, the more susceptible they are to having problems meeting schedules if members of staff are off sick.
Quality problems. For lots of reasons, some windows may not be cleaned, or only part cleaned. Streaking and squeegy marks. Bird lime. Initial cleans with the Reach & Wash system. The first time Reach & Wash is used on buildings they usually come up streaky, but are fine after subsequent cleans.
Damage to property. This could include: Window sills/ledges (caused by heavy use of ladders or careless use of cherry pickers), Breeze Soleil, Cladding (UpVC), Guttering, TV aerials/satellite dishes/airconditioning, Latchway systems, Roof tiles/slates, Glass/windows (yes, they sometimes get broken rather than cleaned!), Cars/vehicles in car parks, Flower beds (and other landscaping), Lawns/gardens. Internal damage including: Desks, Computers, Water stains on carpets, Items being moved and not returned properly, Theft, Accidents to window cleaners and/or employees or members of the public/visitors - 30244
Being aware of the potential problems listed below might enable you to think in advance about how you will handle them when they occur, or better still to have a dialogue with your window cleaning contractor to identify how they will handle them.
Window cleaners do not turn up on the agreed dates or times.
Equipment failures (often but not always caused by poor maintenance).
Weather conditions preventing cleaning. This applies especially to windy conditions where rope access is involved, but snow and ice can also be problematic.
Staff sickness. Illness can hit any business, but the smaller the company, the more susceptible they are to having problems meeting schedules if members of staff are off sick.
Quality problems. For lots of reasons, some windows may not be cleaned, or only part cleaned. Streaking and squeegy marks. Bird lime. Initial cleans with the Reach & Wash system. The first time Reach & Wash is used on buildings they usually come up streaky, but are fine after subsequent cleans.
Damage to property. This could include: Window sills/ledges (caused by heavy use of ladders or careless use of cherry pickers), Breeze Soleil, Cladding (UpVC), Guttering, TV aerials/satellite dishes/airconditioning, Latchway systems, Roof tiles/slates, Glass/windows (yes, they sometimes get broken rather than cleaned!), Cars/vehicles in car parks, Flower beds (and other landscaping), Lawns/gardens. Internal damage including: Desks, Computers, Water stains on carpets, Items being moved and not returned properly, Theft, Accidents to window cleaners and/or employees or members of the public/visitors - 30244
About the Author:
If you are a Buyer make sure you look at Marcus P Weeks' great free of charge commercial window cleaning guide titled 'Everything you need to know about buying commercial window cleaner services' or visit the MPW London window cleaners website.
