[Mike 108]

Cleaned some leaded windows today using WFP.

None of local 'trad' cleaners would do them because they were leaded.

Glass and frames were filthy - so I gave them a 'good do' but there were still plenty of 'spots' on completion.

Got the ladders out and gave them a quick 'buffing' with a microfibre cloth and they looked brilliant.

The leadwork was in good condition when I started (I think) - nice shiny dark grey colour.

HOWEVER - When I looked at it while I was 'buffing' it - the surface finish had  peeled off in lots of places, so that the lead was now a mixture of dark grey and light grey (didn't look nice!)

Even worse - the lady occupier told me that her husband had decided that he was going to take the glass out and 'turn it round' so that the lead was on the inside - to make it easier for future cleaning.

GULP!!

Any suggestions?

Mike

[gmcs]

Pray they do but this has never happened to me if it is proper leaded windows it will be the same on both sides !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chris@c.m.s]

wouldn't worry about it the lead will oxidise again within a week so it should be OK and matching again.

[colley614]

thats nothing a couple of years ago I was scrimming a leaded window with criss crosses of lead and I rubbed my scrim across about 1/4 of the window and found I'd  moved loads of the lead. I just straighten it all up and left quick like.

[Mike 108]

chris@c.m.s.

Hope you're right.

What had come off the lead seemed like a thin veneer of lacquer.

Mike

[windowwashers]

chris@c.m.s.

Hope you're right.

What had come off the lead seemed like a thin veneer of lacquer.

Mike

if worst cames to worst you will have to hand paint it back on.

[chris@c.m.s]

If it is a lacquer then all it does is stop the oxidisation until it breaks down or a window cleaner rubs it off, I think even in that situation its a catch22 situation they haven't been cleaned for ages the lacquer has broken down then you have wiped it off and get the blame.
lead by its nature though will go a dull grey after its exposed to air for a while   

[Mike 108]

Yes Chris.

I've talked it over with colleagues and they all think the same as you.

Thanks

Mike

[Allied Insurance]

just as a quick aside, have you checked your insurance policy, should the worst happen and the customer decide to hold you responsible for damaging all the lead on all the windows ?

do you have cover for "property worked upon" - most policies dont include this automatically.

For more information, visit our site:

www.cleaning-insurance.co.uk

Fingers crossed, all will sort itself out for you this time.

Martin

[Mike 108]

Thanks, Martin.

Will ring for quote.

Mike

[windowwashers]

just as a quick aside, have you checked your insurance policy, should the worst happen and the customer decide to hold you responsible for damaging all the lead on all the windows ?

do you have cover for "property worked upon" - most policies dont include this automatically.

For more information, visit our site:

www.cleaning-insurance.co.uk

Fingers crossed, all will sort itself out for you this time.

Martin

Martin, quick question for you....

say this guy was with you, he had to make a claim, what increase in premium would it be for the next year ??

please reply as this is a valid question:

lets say the normal fee was £100 PA just to make it easy for people to see the increase.

Ian

[Allied Insurance]

windowwashers,

That is one of the benefits to the window cleaning community of our scheme. Because we deal with the insurer on a scheme basis (i.e the whole book of business), we dont need to specifically underwrite each policy in terms of claims.

Therefore at present, as a rough guide, you can have a claim up to the value of around £1500 before we even refer it to the underwriter - so any claim with value less than that, will have NO increase at renewal (unless of course the rates get changed throughout the course of the year generally)

Cheers
Martin

[tacky]

dont forget guys .when taking on new custies with leaded windows .always do quick check n report any damaged ones to custies .or ull get the blame .custie tried it on with me once .i always check em now first

[kevinc]

 :)hi mike,if the custie complains gives me a shout and i'll post you some patina,this i'll restore the lead back to normal just wipe it on and wait a few secs and its done back to its dark normal self.the "dark" lead they use now is already aged so stops the bleaching of the salts and stuff but its a thin layer and can be scrubbed off easily 

[Mike 108]

kevinc.

Customer hasn't complained yet - but (in case she does) - Thanks.

Mike

[Londoner]

The lead is just stick on and you can buy it from Regalead. I understand B+Q do it as well but not the full range.

Quite a few older windows have dodgy lead strips.

[Window Cleaning Services]

i tell the custies that ime willing to clean leaded but as it is at their request/direction, ime not responsible for any problems resulting from normal cleaning done on their behalf. no probs so far. Syd