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jr windows

  • Posts: 537
Builders cleans
« on: May 28, 2009, 07:13:49 pm »
Hi All,

I have been asked to do a builders clean. I have had a look at the windows, wooden sash, covered in cement with all the nice stickers on them.

What would you recommend to get the cement and stickers off? I have cold water Wfp but I think I will have to trad them.

Any ideas would help as I'm not looking forward to it.

Cheers Jason

stephen s

Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2009, 07:17:52 pm »
Hi Jason.

when there is cement and render on the glass then WFP will have no effect on them even hot WFP as I have been there.

each window needs to be scraped before cleaning so remeber to price this in to your quote as if its upper floors then you will prob need a cherry picker.

I underpriced a builders clean about 18 months ago and swore I would never under price one again

jr windows

  • Posts: 537
Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2009, 07:26:40 pm »
I have done them before but struggle with the residue that is left when you take the stickers off, I think it is glue. Is there an easy way to get rid of this?

Cheers, Jason

GWCS

Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2009, 07:31:35 pm »
I have done them before but struggle with the residue that is left when you take the stickers off, I think it is glue. Is there an easy way to get rid of this?

Cheers, Jason

petrol (wouldn;t advise it thou), white spirit, oil flo or that type of product - very wiffy, need thick gloves!

a respirator would be a good idea  ;) especially if your working at height on fumes!

kenaltobelli

Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2009, 07:31:50 pm »
 ive had stuff out of builders merchants to take stickers off well worth it

jr windows

  • Posts: 537
Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2009, 08:36:13 pm »
I don't like doing them but I clean all the building company,s houses.

steve m

  • Posts: 796
Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2009, 10:58:32 pm »
when scraping cement off the glass remember to only scrape one way, if you go back and forth with the scraper you could scratch the glass if any cement gets under the blade

Griffus

  • Posts: 1942
Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2009, 11:23:47 pm »
Cement comes off easily enough after a good soaking but don't rub and take care not to scratch the glass with the cement that you are removing.

Stickers and sticky residue come off easy as you like with solvent cleaner (we use a mix of approx 80% Naptha & 20% Acetone). Be sure to wear gloves! We apply either direct to the affected area via spray or onto a cloth and gently rub. Works every time.

WFP a waste of time on Builders Cleans, especially the first one.

Cherry picker ??? Budget unlikely to stretch quite so far :) 99.999% of windows in new builds are 'easy clean' and can be reached from inside.

simon knight

Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2009, 07:35:12 am »

I found that Brillo pads get most cement off the glass  :o ;D

Good luck mate...I've done 2 in the past...2 too many as far as I'm concerned!

stephen s

Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2009, 08:28:55 am »


Cherry picker ??? Budget unlikely to stretch quite so far :) 99.999% of windows in new builds are 'easy clean' and can be reached from inside.
Quote




health and safety mate you have to use cherry pickers or FIXED ladders on building sites,  I did a clean at a site and it was the site manager who told me I had to price a cherry picker into the quote and believe you me it was needed.

problem with builders cleans is that a lot of people are scared of them because they don't know how to price them up ?      easy just price 3 times the quote of what it would be without stickers and cement on glass and also the price of cherry picker hire to go on top.       if the builder don't like the price fine get someone else.

Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #10 on: May 29, 2009, 08:34:55 am »
I have done them before but struggle with the residue that is left when you take the stickers off, I think it is glue. Is there an easy way to get rid of this?

Cheers, Jason

Sticky stuff remover

http://www.desolvit.co.uk/pages/sticky_stuff_remover.htm

AJ

  • Posts: 1262
Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2009, 01:29:25 pm »
A squirt of limescale romover, left to soak for 5 mins breaks down the lime in mortar and softens it up nicely.
viakal or the toilet stuff harpic 100% limescale.

Platinum NW

  • Posts: 294
Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2009, 08:35:21 am »
We used sticker remover but we emptied the tin so we started using polish and a scraper - its the best and cleanest method

Window Washers

  • Posts: 9036
Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2009, 11:31:42 am »
get a scratch waiver signed before you do any work.

Hot soapy water and quite a few fresh scraper blades, and a little white spirt if really needed.
If your not willing to learn, No one can help you, If you are determined to learn, No one can stop you ;)

concept

Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2009, 11:41:32 am »
tar and glue remover on stickers, put plenty on, and let ot soak through to the glue, they come off real quick with a scraper.



Griffus

  • Posts: 1942
Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #15 on: June 01, 2009, 10:41:40 pm »


Cherry picker ??? Budget unlikely to stretch quite so far :) 99.999% of windows in new builds are 'easy clean' and can be reached from inside.
Quote




health and safety mate you have to use cherry pickers or FIXED ladders on building sites,  I did a clean at a site and it was the site manager who told me I had to price a cherry picker into the quote and believe you me it was needed.

problem with builders cleans is that a lot of people are scared of them because they don't know how to price them up ?      easy just price 3 times the quote of what it would be without stickers and cement on glass and also the price of cherry picker hire to go on top.       if the builder don't like the price fine get someone else.

We mainly do builders cleans.

Ladders still OK as long as you have fully risk assessed, documented and handed to head office and site manager. Tying is obviously best but very impractical. There is no law that states tying must happen.

As stated earlier, most new builds are fine to be cleaned from inside. In the last year I have come accross just two windows that could not be cleaned from inside. The windows on the first clean are undoubtedly best done from inside as you find that you always miss a bit of sticky residue that would be a right royal pain if using ladders, but is a snitch from inside.

Cherry pickers are great but not that practical on site, especially at the rear of properties on modern sites where access for one can be impossible. They also have there own complications in respect of insurance, training, access, maintenance, cost.

One last point; I like your methodology on pricing  ::)

MJH

  • Posts: 901
Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #16 on: June 02, 2009, 01:03:03 pm »
get a scratch waiver signed before you do any work.

Hot soapy water and quite a few fresh scraper blades, and a little white spirt if really needed.

I have done 5 large builders cleans in the past month, all debris are removed with sharp new scraper blades (on wet soapy glass) and non scratch pads(washing up type) are superb for frames, the firms i work for are pretty tidy so much of the grime comes off when you de-tape, if the frames are new, price high to cover any issues that might arise as they nearly always do!!!!

Griffus

  • Posts: 1942
Re: Builders cleans
« Reply #17 on: June 02, 2009, 08:55:04 pm »
Magic Sponges are fantastic on a lot of surfaces. Also known as erasaways and no doubt many other names.

I have seen them on ebay (50 for around £18) but not bought any off there.

I swear by them. When everything else fails these come up trumps (99% of the time). The one downside is that they don't last all that long.