[Chris Galloway]

Did a clean of this 2 storey house. All the windows were covered in dirt/dust, which was easily rinsed off via wfp, which left a white staining on the very top windows, its pre existent stain apparently (could not see it due to the amount dirt/dust on the window before i started), after heavy brushing and increased flow rate on the water, i came to a decision that the stain was inside.

However the customer has emailed me, and advised the stain is on the outside, and i quote

grease marks that came when the wall was water-proofed

Any idea what it could be and how to remove it? Im no builder but im sure you dont water proof walls with grease  :

Im yet to return to check it out, but some insights as to how to remove it would be helpful.

[Tosh]

There is a liquid substance which can be painted onto walls to prevent damp/water ingress; I'm not sure what it's called; but I've came accross this situation a few times.

Normally, it's slapped all over the brickwork and splattered all over the windows in the process.

It's next to impossible to remove; even with a scraper; I don't even try now.

It's not your fault, the customer will have to live with it.

[matt]

Ronseal Thompsons Damp Seal

[peter holley]

iv had this problem... it wont come off wfp, and if you do it hands on youll have to charge loads... i did a house months back(just a general clean of the windows) the custie was happy but there were still deposits of this stuff on the glass,.... anyway the custie got rid of them with nail polish remover and she said it toook hours and hours to remove...

 if they want you toremove the deposits it will cost them a couple of hundred

[Chris Galloway]

Seeing at its the top windows (2nd floor) i will only do it via wfp, so im afraid my custy will have to have his money back. I dont go up ladders that far. The stain is massive, half the size of the 2*2foot window at least.

He says it comes off, but i will have to go check anyway.

Ive done 4 leaded windows with a damp seal splattered over them, and that took over 4 hours to remove via scraping ( i didn;t charge cos it was family )

Seeing what is covered on the windows, i will prob refund the custy - as if id known what it was, i would have charged much more than i did, as that's to me is a builders/decorators clean (which i dont do).

[matt]

Seeing at its the top windows (2nd floor) i will only do it via wfp, so im afraid my custy will have to have his money back. I dont go up ladders that far. The stain is massive, half the size of the 2*2foot window at least.

He says it comes off, but i will have to go check anyway.

Ive done 4 leaded windows with a damp seal splattered over them, and that took over 4 hours to remove via scraping ( i didn;t charge cos it was family )

Seeing what is covered on the windows, i will prob refund the custy - as if id known what it was, i would have charged much more than i did, as that's to me is a builders/decorators clean (which i dont do).

if it was me, i wouldnt give back the money, i would explain that staining of the window isnt your problem

[Chris Galloway]

Ive email the custy back with this..

When quoting for the work required, i had only taken into account the type and size of the windows and the working space around the property. The pricing rates for a one off or initial clean would have included removal of heavy deposits of dirt/dust on the windows, frames and sills only only not paint, cement for example.

I have check the previous emails that i have been sent, and it doesn't state staining is apparent. If I had known waterproofing was on the windows i would have declined to quote for 2 reasons.

1) I have had experience of this before and it is a different type of service that is required for this. You would generally need a company that deals with builders/decorators cleans. This involves scratching paint, cement and the like from windows.

2) Since using Ladders is Illegal for window cleaners without appropriate lashing equipment (tie bolts in the building) I would have not accepted the job, due to the amount of time required to be on the ladder and at the height required, also that my insurance will have been invalid to have done this.

However, I can be there at 15:00 on Saturday at the earliest, to inspect and see if there is anything i can do to rectify the issue other than refunding your money.

Will give me a chance to go flyer some new houses that way of town, and go canvassing. and keep away from the old terraced style