[Lee B]

Hi everyone,

After working in a factory for 20 years making double glazed windows I finally escaped the rat race and started window cleaning and conservatory valeting. I noticed increasing numbers of misted units along the way and tapped into this, which is easy to undertake. All you need to do is measure the size of the bead line and take off 12 mil!. I changed 8 units the other day and made £250 in one hour! BEAT THAT!!!
My wife is typing this for me and getting really ped off as she is really bored of hearing about waterfed poles and window cleaning!!!
 

[james44]

C an you explain a bit more in detail, lee

[Lee B]

when a double glazed unit mists between the pains the only thing to do is replace the  glass unit,you have to get the thickness of the glass i.e 20mm,24mm,28mm then measure from the bead line outside and take off 12mm to give you the size of the unit order off a double glazing company and double the price of the unit.Take the rubber out of the inside pop the beads out take the glass out put the new one in bobs your uncle

[Pittmonkey]

Hi Lee

I know what you mean about steamy windows as I have a number of units that have failed. The company who installed them no longer exist and no insurance backed up guarantee.

I thought about having a go myself but how do you take the beading off? Is there a special tool or just a knack in doing it?

Wayne

[DASERVICES]

Lee,

Should should seriuosly look into starting a training course to teach people how to do this, there would be many takers. Where are you based.

Doug

[Lee B]

The beads can be taken out with a sturdy wallpaper scraper or putty knife,make sure you take the wedge gasket out of the inside first.some windows have a security tape on the inside in which you take the beads out first then cut round the tape you will have to put new tape in though,it is easy to do.
                                                                                                                  lee. based in southend

[Pittmonkey]

Wedge gasket?

Is this for external beaded windows. Mine are internal cant seem to find any gasket.

Wayne

[Lee B]

If your windows are internaly beaded the beads will come out without taking any gasket out they might be a bit tight but they will come out

[Pat Purcell]

Lee,

Should should seriuosly look into starting a training course to teach people how to do this, there would be many takers. Where are you based.

Doug

I couldn't agree more, its a perfect add on for a window cleaner who's a little bit handy
I'm guessing though that if you've been making windows for 20 years that things that are second nature to you would require some training for everyone else
Like right now I'm wondering "how do you measure the thickness of a window without taking it out first"
If the training course thing does't appeal to you then why not make a video of how to do it and the different situations that arise along with detailed instructions and sell it on here or on ebay etc.

[Pittmonkey]

I agree Pat, there’s a guy in my area has his own little business replacing sealed units “Steamy Windows” on the van. Looks like he’s making enough just doing this alone. A window cleaner could easily add this to services.

I’ve just taken out one of my units, very easy (well what else is there to do on a Easter Sunday) Used a scraper then used a bevelled chisel once the beading came away a little.

So off to a local glaziers on Tuesday for some new units.

Lee, what would you expect to pay for 30”x 14” GSU and like Pat says, how do you measure the thickness of the sealed unit without taking them out. Is it just experience?

Think you’ve started something now!!!

Wayne

[Lee B]

you measure the thickness of the unit with a glass gauge it gos around the sash and clamps both sides of the glass there is a measure ruler on it and this tells you the thickness,you can get laser ones now which you shine through the glass.You would pay about £15 for something that size wayne.
                                                                                                                        Lee

[Pittmonkey]

Cheers Lee

Very helpful 

Wayne

[Matthew Speakman]

could you tell us where to get the tools for this???

[Londoner]

This is a seriously interesting thread. There is a guy who drives round here in a van who calls himself the Window Doctor. All he does is replace misted units all day.

We had some of ours changed this year ( not by him ) and it took seconds to pop the old window out and put the new one in.

[Lee B]

You should be able to get the tools on the internet
                                                                                lee

[Pittmonkey]

Think these would do the job for measuring the the depth of the SGU

http://www.tooled-up.com/MicroCategory.asp?MAN=Calipers&CID=8&SCID=45&MCID=424

Wayne

[peterharwood]

Lee

if you are around, how much did the 8 units cost you to get made up ?

I am thinking of offering this service.

Thanks

[matt]

you can get nice "unit thickness measures"  from any PVCu repair places, just hold the thing against the window and look at the gauge with the other side of the glass unit

i used to do it for a local council, change the units, handles and hinges of damaged windows, it would be a nice little extra for any window cleaner, good call

[Clive McDonald]

This is brilliant!
I would buy an instruction video if lee made one.

And as for you Matt, you mean to say you knew about his all this time and never said anything. What are you allergic to money or something?