Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: MisterC on February 11, 2014, 08:28:07 am
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I am still relatively new to this game, stared with WFP system
3 months ago.
I am finding that when the wind and rain gets on windows I have cleaned
It leaves a sort of chalky dusty film all over them that particularly show up
In direct sun light (when it shines!!) this seems to be mainly on windows on
The side of the house that faces the worst of the weather.
I have tested it on my own house, they look great after I have cleaned them
But after a day of rain lashing against them and then drying they look
Dirty. Is this Normal or am I doing something wrong, I am in the dorset
Area so relatively close to the sea, could it be salt in the wind?
Would appreciate any advice please.
Thanks
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i dont think bad weather has ever been discussed on here before? ;D
yes mate its salt being blown on the windows.nowt you can do mate.
i dont live near the sea but sometimes a day or two after ive cleaned a customers windows they are filthy again if its been really windy.only on the windows that the wind is blowing on mind! ;)
working near the seafront must be a nightmare for you lads at times. :(
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Rain's a funny old thing - when it drizzles straight down, even more than drizzle then no problem working in it. Same with showers - just stop for a bit when they get heavy.
But ... customer perception.
They instinctively don't like cleaning done in the rain or if it's imminent or in the bright period between showers.
Generally - a few days of on and off rain isn't going to mark the windows - it's low TDS and dries clear but ...
The side facing any of the following, especially if the wind often comes from that direction:
The sea.
Busy roads.
Industrial areas.
Farmers activity/dust from fields.
Occasional Sahara rain with dust in it.
Volcanic Ash (remember that?)
Some numpty with a cutter or kango hammer digging up the pavement after you've gone.
So I train custies - not easy when you are starting out.
When I take them on I say:-
We offer a regular reliable service which means that you can depend on having clean windows all the time. (I sometimes joke with them that we are a "proper business" and that I won't be taking off time to do my "real job", "collect the dole", "sell drugs" "go to prison" etc) In return I ask that you don't tell me "not today" when I turn up and that you allow me to clean in showery or drizzly conditions.
I then explain (but it goes over their head until they ask me to leave it this time and I remind them) that I offer a rain guarantee that if any of their windows are marked by the rain within 24 hours of my clean we will come back and do the offending windows completely free of charge. (remember if it happens it is only likely to be one side of the house due to weather)
To seal the deal during a run of bad weather like now I also staple a note to my payment slips outlining my "rain" callback guarantee.
To date I have been called back three tmes. One was marks on the inside (!) - one was due to a guy cutting up the tarmac next door. Another was a prolonged westerly over Avonmouth, M5 motorway and a dual carriageway onto a custies back windows - I cleaned Friday afternoon, she called on the Monday after a weekend away telling me the front and sides were perfect but the back had grey marks like rain splashes and so I went back out of goodwill.
My worst for this is a car manufacturer in Avonmouth. They are my only fortnightly customer and have white upvc/white aluminium frames.
If the weather is kind the fortnightly clean is a breeze. If like now we have westerly winds, ships unloading coal on conveyors to trains less than a mile away, then a fine black powder gets everywhere and the windows are filthy almost immediately. Mix in occasional salt from the Bristol Channel/Severn Estuary and it's a good 'un!
You learn and adapt and the quicker you do the happier you will be.
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Go to work you lazy git! You've got a rain guarantee what are you doing on here?
I've got paperwork to sort out.
I've got three Extreme poles, work in any weather and have had my highest earning week ever (and it's only Tues morning!) My customers love me and I'm gorgeous.
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so dave you d like to be me for a day? ;D ;D ;D ;D
well im still on the sofa.gonna make another coffee.weather is horrible at the moment!still over a grand up on this time last year though! ;) :)
it should clear up this afternoon though.
best wishes
dazmond
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Thanks guys
Guess I'm just a bit paranoid being a newbie !