[KS Cleaning]

I have been accused by a customer of damaging one of her windows by getting water in between the two panes, any one else been accused of this? I have still to get back to her, so would I be right in saying that the cause of this is that the bond between the unit has perished, which can't be caused by WFP, and it will be condensation between the panes rather than water, as air will be getting in?

[PoleKing]

It will be condensation rather than your water, yes.
As to whether you've caused it, she needs to prove you have rather than you proving your innocence.
You're probably not to blame though.

[SB Cleaning]

No not your fault....I live in a block of flats where a tradder cleans them loads have blown....its the seals perishing after years of being there if they're new windows could be down to poor fitting...I find conservatorys are the worst for it

[sunshine windows]

Accept no responsibility for this kind of thing.

I got stung in my early days wfp by an old boy claiming the same thing.

In the politest possible way tell them it's because they have rubbish double glazing units. I clean some that are 20 years+ old and still not a sign of condensation.

[colin purewater]

Unit have a 10 year warranty, so ask her how old they
Are? Under ten year it's a manufacturing fault
Over 10 years ther past the life expectancy

Wfp won't cause the problem but it will highlight
It if they are already blown

[Elfyn]

I see loads of "blown" double glazed units - it's the units that are faulty.
Someone posted a link on here a while ago to a company (was it a franchise?) that had a system to improve them. If someone still has that link could they please post it. I think that it could be a good add on for a windie.

[KS Cleaning]

Thanks to all who replied, you have put my mind at rest

[Spruce]

http://www.thewindowman.co.uk/misted-up.htm

Lots of valuable info on this website.

[Ian Lancaster]

Didn't you think to ask what happens if it rains?

[KS Cleaning]

Didn't you think to ask what happens if it rains?

No I didn't because she said she had just noticed it after I had cleaned them. I just wanted clarification that I would be right to tell her the unit is blown and that I couldn't have caused it

[PoleKing]

Didn't you think to ask what happens if it rains?

No I didn't because she said she had just noticed it after I had cleaned them. I just wanted clarification that I would be right to tell her the unit is blown and that I couldn't have caused it

Just be careful with your wording bud.
Not you 'couldnt've' (cause you could, technically) but 'didn't'
Some customers pick up on technicalities and put you on the back foot if you're not 100% the first time.

[KS Cleaning]

Didn't you think to ask what happens if it rains?

No I didn't because she said she had just noticed it after I had cleaned them. I just wanted clarification that I would be right to tell her the unit is blown and that I couldn't have caused it

Just be careful with your wording bud.
Not you 'couldnt've' (cause you could, technically) but 'didn't'
Some customers pick up on technicalities and put you on the back foot if you're not 100% the first time.

Ok, good point, al keep that in mind.
Just to add she had already cancelled the day before she complained, because I increased the price by a massive 50p. I didn't want to divulge that information in the OP as people would automatically think she was trying her luck........which it would seem she was.

[Jonny 87]

It's interesting that soap can actually add to a unit misting and seal braking down.

Another plus for WFP. 

[PoleKing]

It's interesting that soap can actually add to a unit misting and seal braking down.

Another plus for WFP. 

Where did you hear that?

[Jonny 87]

It's interesting that soap can actually add to a unit misting and seal braking down.

Another plus for WFP. 

Where did you hear that?

Look at spruces post above, with the link to the window man. It talks about harsh chemicals like that you get in soap.

[Jonny 87]

http://www.thewindowman.co.uk/misted-up.htm

Lots of valuable info on this website.

This one.

[PoleKing]

http://www.thewindowman.co.uk/misted-up.htm

Lots of valuable info on this website.

This one.

He's a bit misleading tbh.
Even tradding, the fairy (or whatever) won't make it's way to the seal.
The action of pressing too hard against the unit MAY degrade the seal but not what he's written.
99/100 it's just time. The sealant breaks down as it won't last forever.

[Spruce]

I'm afraid I don't know exactly what effect soap does long term on rubber outer seals so I can't comment either way, but I know what sun light does to rubber in the hot, baking African sun.

We bought a dormer 12 years ago which had new UPVC windows 3 years previously. All the windows that were south facing had 'blown' but those that were north facing were fine and still fine today. We window cleaner who cleaned the house only cleaned the ground floor windows and never touched the bedroom windows - he was trad in those days and couldn't get to them safely.

In my opinion, I won't be surprised if the sun was 99% to blame for the failure of those front windows. These front windows of ours are shielded from the battering winds, whereas the north facing rear ones aren't, so sonic forces have a minimal effect on our windows.

We have a large UPVC panel next to the front door which is half window and half UPVC panel. That is east facing and that has also blown, which I put down to the impact of opening and closing the front door.

Over the years I have noticed that its mostly the large south facing windows that go first and the openers.

I have also noticed that the majority of 'blown' windows do mist up more after I have cleaned them. This I believe is because the gap between the glass has been cooled when washing and rinsing the windows. As warm air holds more moisture than cool air, the cooled air lets the moisture go, just like condensation on the inside of a bathroom or kitchen window, especially if it is single glasing.

Every time we clean a window that's spacer bar between the glass has broken down, we add to the existing problem as the window breathes through the gap where the spacer bar has failed.  When the glass warms up, the warm air expands and the window 'breathes' out.
When the glass cools every evening, it 'breathes' back in as the air inside contracts. We add one more cycle every time we clean the windows. If the outer seals on the window have deteriorated, then moisture or water getting behind that into the frame could also find its way in as the window is breathing in damp air.

We haven't caused the problem so it isn't anything to do with us. Replacing the unit is the only successful solution.