Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dd on November 20, 2018, 01:37:45 pm

Title: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: dd on November 20, 2018, 01:37:45 pm
I find using wfp is not good for wood (wooden frames deteriorate more quickly). Do those using hot water notice any negative effect on wood frames and sills?

Also, do you find using hot water means you use noticeably less water during a day?
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: nathankaye on November 20, 2018, 01:49:11 pm
Unless the frames are well painted, I don't particularly take on wooden frames windows as customers as I don't want them blaming me for whatever deterioration they have on their frames. Which I'm sure they will try and do.
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: dd on November 20, 2018, 02:01:45 pm
I prefer to clean UPVC windows, but I end up with a lot of customers with wood windows.
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: Jonny 87 on November 20, 2018, 02:09:42 pm
I just clean as normal.

If the frames are maintained properly then it’s never a problem.

When I was trad, uncared for wooden frames deteriorated quickly too.

One thing I’d say though is to use a soft brush for wooden windows. Flocked works well.
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: The Jester of Wibbly on November 20, 2018, 02:11:48 pm
I refrain from using hot on wooden frames as they are usually very old with weak single glaze glass that would be as high risk of cracking.
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: dd on November 20, 2018, 02:49:37 pm
I refrain from using hot on wooden frames as they are usually very old with weak single glaze glass that would be as high risk of cracking.
Reading posts from other hot users they just seem to have heater on all day.

If you have to turn heater on/off frequently does that not drain the battery more?
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: The Jester of Wibbly on November 20, 2018, 02:58:13 pm
I refrain from using hot on wooden frames as they are usually very old with weak single glaze glass that would be as high risk of cracking.
Reading posts from other hot users they just seem to have heater on all day.

If you have to turn heater on/off frequently does that not drain the battery more?

You can either turn the temp down or shut it off for a clean. It's fine turning it off from time to time as long as its shut off for at least 30 mins before a restart to protect the burner.
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: NWH on November 20, 2018, 03:15:39 pm
Turn it down on single glazed units in this weather you don’t turn it off you turn it down to minimum,these new Windows imported from Poland are the worst windows ever they have thick double glazed glass so you can use really hot water but the frames are a nightmare,they are almost pourous in as much that they absorb dirt all over the sills and frame making them go green.
They are pre sprayed prior to being fittted I don’t know what they use but it sucks up dirt and grime making it almost impossible to get spotless or even clean up well.
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: dazmond on November 20, 2018, 05:47:51 pm
ive hardly got any wooden windows on my round,the ones i do clean(usually large sash or georgian windows)i just clean as normal with hot water......

i dont turn the heater down EVER summer or winter...its on full blast all day every day.....

Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: dd on November 20, 2018, 05:59:02 pm
Daz, do you think you use less water each day since going hot (or do you get more work done with same amount of water)?
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: dazmond on November 20, 2018, 06:02:15 pm
I find using wfp is not good for wood (wooden frames deteriorate more quickly). Do those using hot water notice any negative effect on wood frames and sills?

Also, do you find using hot water means you use noticeably less water during a day?

i personally  dont notice any deterioration of wooden frames using hot WFP  and i still use the same amount of water as i did when i used a cold water system...
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: The Jester of Wibbly on November 20, 2018, 06:05:06 pm
I find using wfp is not good for wood (wooden frames deteriorate more quickly). Do those using hot water notice any negative effect on wood frames and sills?

Also, do you find using hot water means you use noticeably less water during a day?

i personally  dont notice any deterioration of wooden frames using hot WFP  and i still use the same amount of water as i did when i used a cold water system...

If you're srubbing less and saving a bit of time you're using less water.  ;D
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: Splash & dash on November 20, 2018, 06:34:49 pm
We don’t treat wooden windows any different to UPVC  can hot water affect the frames yes if they are particularly bad but cold will do exactly the same, as for wager usage I don’t think it makes much difference slightly less with hot as it’s quicker
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: dd on November 21, 2018, 04:27:33 pm
Thanks for replies everyone.
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: cleaniac on November 21, 2018, 05:37:49 pm
If its a wooden window frame, I just turn the flow right down, really just to brush out the cobwebs etc, then turn up the flow a little for the glass.

I did a 1st clean this afternoon, the windows had masking tape residue on the glass from the decorators, the hot water just melted away the glue it was great, whacked it right up to 70 deg, massive double glazed,.sash windows high flow..great stuff.

This morning I did a property with single glazed lead windows, (real lead, not the stick on lead) and used it cold, on a very low flowrate.

So you need to adapt your methods to suit the job.
Title: Re: Hot water and wooden windows
Post by: robbo333 on November 21, 2018, 05:48:24 pm
I had a landlord call me regarding 3 rental properties, all in the same road. All Georgian with old sash windows.
He moaned that his existing window cleaner knocked some paint off with his wfp and he would like me to do them traditionally, or at least the ground floors anyway.
Unfortunately, I am too busy.... ;D

On a more practical note, I have a few old wood windows and also one with the old Crittall metal windows. I turn the flow down, use a big flocked brush (and if I used hot, which I don't, I would turn it down.) Also a little bit more love and care.