[calmore]

Hi All,

Just popped across from the Carpet Cleaning forum to ask some advice.

Some months ago our window cleaner gave up work due to bad health. He used a ladder and squeegie and always did a very good job.

Since then, we have been using a different cleaner who uses a water fed pole. Each time the results are really bad-water spots and smears all over the glass.

We complain each time and are always told: "It takes a few washes before it comes clean" and "It'll be far better next time".

Is this an excuse on the part of the window cleaner or does it genuinely take 5-10 washes before the glass appears clean? Is the cleaning possibly being done incorrectly? Can WPF systems achieve a really good clean?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[James Smith]

I've only had my wfp 2 weeks now & can see it works 1st time, 2nd at worst.

Either the wc is not scrubbing enough or the water isn't pure imo.

[calmore]

I had wondered whether it's a water purity problem.

Her indoors is getting a bit peed off 'cos we've been having 'em cleaned every four/six weeks since late last year and they still end up covered with spots etc. Other neighbours are having the same probs.

[NWH]

Maybe he`s not checking his water often enough,does he use a trolley or does he work from a hose in his van.

[matt]

my guess is that they are trying to clean the frames aswell

this results in dirty water drippng from the frames down the glass

what condition are your frames in ??

[brightnclean]

The honest answer is YES.  WFP can achieve excellent results.. IF.. used properly. Its not the all encompassing miracle tool that some portray it as because like any other tool it has it's limitations but if used properly like any other tool it does a great job. Unless you have bad frames IE not waterproof or oxidised it will work just fine. No way should it take up to 10 cleans before it comes good.

[calmore]

The frames look OK and I'm not sure it's dirty water dripping from the frames as the streaks appear to go at ramdom directions.

The main problem is the water spots.

[EasyClean]

If the quality ((000 TDS) of the water is pure and the WFP user is leaving smears or spots then he's not cleaning the windows using either a suitable brush head and/or his technique/method is wrong. Ninety-nine percent of all 1st cleans come up 100% fine (no smears,spots), it's just the 1% of really bad flaky paint frames that have the initial run from the top of the frame because of a lack of sufficient cleaning of the frames on initial wash.

[Paul Coleman]

Hi All,

Just popped across from the Carpet Cleaning forum to ask some advice.

Some months ago our window cleaner gave up work due to bad health. He used a ladder and squeegie and always did a very good job.

Since then, we have been using a different cleaner who uses a water fed pole. Each time the results are really bad-water spots and smears all over the glass.

We complain each time and are always told: "It takes a few washes before it comes clean" and "It'll be far better next time".

Is this an excuse on the part of the window cleaner or does it genuinely take 5-10 washes before the glass appears clean? Is the cleaning possibly being done incorrectly? Can WPF systems achieve a really good clean?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I do tell any new customers not to pass judgement until after the third clean.  Thgis is mainly to cover my back though.  Usually it's fine after the first clean (provided I go around twice).  Sometimes the first one isn't so great but the second clean is much better.  Occasionally the second clean might not be to a decent standard but that's more likely to be issues with bad double glazing seals, poor paintwork, or occasionally, if the seal has been treated with a certain chemical (can't recall name) in the manufacture.  If the third clean doesn't do it then I would be concerned.  Up to that point, I would assume that the next clean would be much better.

[Ian_Giles]

I think you need to tell him to shape up or ship out!

He very obviously needs to learn who to use his equipment. Tell him to come on here so that he can get some decent advice on how to use WFP.
At most you should only be having the odd spot here and there if he is doing his job properly, even if the frames have oxidised (wet finger and rub it on the frame, if your finger comes away white then the frames have oxidised, and that happens to UPVC windows as well as painted ones)
But even so, if he's been using WFP for several months he should still be doing a very good job and not a ropey one.

Ian

[craig jwc]

I've never had a problem with streaks since i went wfp nearly 2 years ago, apart from 1 house.

This house has this so called self-cleaning glass.

I do others with this glass and never had a problem.

I'd say this guy is not brushing enough if you just have ordinary glass.

I find that the windows come up better on the 2nd clean.

Craig

[Helen]

calmore you have mail......

[rhino]

Any ideas where i might be going wrong?
This has been only my second day on the road and have come across a couple of houses with bay windows (Four seperate panes on front, one each side).
The two outer panes on the front come up great, water sheets. On the two inner panes, beads!! Scrub, rinse. Scrub, rinse. Scrub, rinse etc.
Why such a difference?
Didn't have the time to see how they dried (off canvassing) but i'm more than a little worried for next time. (If there is one!!).

Cheers all

[calmore]

it's just the 1% of really bad flaky paint frames that have the initial run from the top of the frame

UPVC frames so that isn't the problem. Done the 'wet finger' test and can't find any evidence of oxidisation.

As far as I know they are not self cleaning. They are Zenith, with white rubber seals if that makes any difference.

He has a trolley thingumajig. (Or "A sacktruck with a home brew beer keg in it" according to the wife.)

[Ian Lancaster]

Any ideas where i might be going wrong?
This has been only my second day on the road and have come across a couple of houses with bay windows (Four seperate panes on front, one each side).
The two outer panes on the front come up great, water sheets. On the two inner panes, beads!! Scrub, rinse. Scrub, rinse. Scrub, rinse etc.
Why such a difference?
Didn't have the time to see how they dried (off canvassing) but i'm more than a little worried for next time. (If there is one!!).

Cheers all

About 80% of my windows bead

Just because the water doesn't run off in a lovely flowing sheet doesn't mean you haven't cleaned the glass!!

If you've scrubbed enough to lift the dirt off the surface, then rinsed enough to wash it away, there should be no problems.

Have faith :

Cheers,

Ian

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

If most of your windows bead then it takes extra rinsing.  If the results aren't near perfect after many cleans I'd say he either has poor quality water or is rushing the job, explain it to him and give him another chance maybe he will do better other wise I'd get a window cleaner that can do the job properly, trad or wfp.

I lent some of my gear to a friend to try out on his custy's windows, he has no experience and got good result that the customer was happy with first time.  Wfp does work don't let this bad example ruin your faith in it.

Simon.

[rhino]

Cheers Ian. I will keep the faith.
No other option really, now i've spent the money on the kit!!
I just wondered why i was getting different reactions on different panes in the same window. (hope that makes sense)
I'm back in the area today so may call in to check how they dried.

Cheers.

[LWC]

wfp is good yes but as said when used properly, my guess is he just gives it a quick wipe, and maybe a quick rinse. i rinse for much longer now than when i started cause i have learnt how to use it properly. i took me a while to get things perfect to be fair, but never any more than 3 cleans...5 - 10 taking the mick! they should be sparkling by now

i picked up 2 houses the other day, they asked me "do you dry the windows" no i said, and i saw their faces drop...anyway i did them and asked if they had a window cleaner before, yes they said, he also used the pole system, but they werent happy with him. i did a brilliant job on them and explained to them, it takes time. and they said he never took as long as me

so in answer...YES wfp does do a brilliant job...BUT it has to be in the right hands!   

[qwert]

LWC

When you say it takes time, how long whould you spend on an average 3 bed semi??  Not including any set-uptime.

ta

[LWC]

if your asking from a is it quick than trad method...yes it is

i take about 10 mins on something like that.  you have to remember, how much easier it is and quicker, ie, if theres 3 windows upstaires on front, with ladders, youd set the ladders up, up and down 3 times, with the pole, you errect it and do the first window, move it along to the next, then to the next. simple, no faffing about.

i go across the tops of the window, up and down the glass, rinse, then a zig zag down the glass and another rinse, most of my windows sheet now so all this cleaning probably isnt neccessary, but i have put most of my prices up and picked up new good ones, so this little time longer that it takes isnt a problem.