FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
DO YOU CLEAN WINDOWS IN BAD WEATHER?
Rain should make absolutely no difference to the efficiency of our purified-water-fed-pole system and the quality of the clean, so I will aim to carry on whether rain or shine. In the event of lasting heavy rain, I may make the judgement to reschedule simply because my waterproofs are only so waterproof!
Strong winds however can be problematic to our work as we use long carbon fibre poles, which can be affected if we’re working with them extended at a height. Thunderstorms also obviously pose a danger from a safety perspective, given the poles are carbon fibre and conduct electricity.
If for any reason I have to rearrange your scheduled visit due to adverse weather conditions (or any other reason), I will make contact with you as soon as possible to let you know, and I will do my best to reschedule your clean within 7 days.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN YOU ARE COMING?
I will aim to always send you a text message the evening before I am due to visit. This is to ensure that access is available (gates unlocked) and the property is ready for my visit (poop picked, windows closed/latched etc).
All I do ask on this subject, is you try to remember to inform me of any changes in phone number or house moves to ensure our communications are kept as efficient as possible.
DO I HAVE TO BE PRESENT FOR THE WINDOW CLEAN TO TAKE PLACE?
Not at all! As much as I enjoy catching up with my customers face-to-face (and a cuppa!), there is no need for anyone to be present during the day of the clean (unless access is required via your house).
The majority of our customers are happy leaving me with access via gates in order to access the back of the house, and I will ensure any gates are closed before leaving.
In the event the gate isn't locked and access isn't possible, I may scale the fence/wall using a ladder. I may however only clean the front of the house and windows that I can access. I appreciate sometimes these things do happen, but please do not make a habit of doing it.
I HAVE A DOG - IS THAT A PROBLEM?
I love dogs of all shapes and sizes, but I appreciate that some dogs may not love me as much in return! Having two dogs myself, I know that some may be anxious or aggressive at the sight of a stranger working on their property.
I will always be considerate, and keep noise to minimum. What I do ask however is that anxious dogs are locked away safely, for their own welfare and mine too!
I also request/expect that all dog poo is picked up prior to my visits, especially around the direct vicinity of the property - but I'd like to think that common courtesy!
HOW DOES PURE-WATER CLEANING WORK, AND WHY DO I LEAVE YOUR WINDOWS WET?
There is a little bit of science behind the methods, and isn't just as simple as using tap water and a brush.
Pure-water (also known as de-ironized water) begins as tap water that is pumped through a state-of-the-art system I have mounted in my van. During the process, the tap water is pumped through a number of pre filters, a Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane and finally a De-ionization (DI) vessel, with this process removing all impurities (which are what leaves marks/scaling over time).
Unlike traditional methods, which rely on a chemical/soapy cleaning agent, a squeegee and cloth to remove the soap suds, the pure-water reach and wash system uses only water, meaning top-quality cleans are possible with no use of soap or chemicals. I personally believe the finish is better from using this system as opposed to the traditional methods, and I will happily do my best to convince you that's the case too! Using the reach and wash system also enables me to operate from the safety of the ground, and reduces the chance of damaging the window seals (from the suds over time) and from scratching window panes (I use especially soft brushes for this reason).
The windows are left wet after cleaning to dry naturally, and providing the windows are rinsed adequately after the clean, and they should dry completely clear (please refrain from wiping them!).
DOES THE PURE-WATER REACH & WASH SYSTEM LEAVE STREAKS AFTER CLEANING?
Simply put - if the clean was completed properly with adequate rinsing - then the windows should dry with no streaks. There are however, some 'splash and dash' merchants which give the industry/method a bad name.
With that being said however, upon occasion, there can be some mild streaking on some of the windows after the windows have dried. This will normally happen, if at all, during the first clean, but there can be other explanations.
The first clean is the most extensive clean generally, as it's removing dirt and scum that has built up over a longer period of time. This means that despite sometimes the best attempts, there are some areas in and around the seals/vents in particularly that may drip down the window slightly after finishing the rinsing process.
In addition to this, the condition and age of the windows will also play a part. Older painted and PVC frames, particularly if they aren't maintained/cleaned regularly, can oxidise as a result of long periods of weathering and sun exposure, meaning 'milking' (the water turning cloudy) occurring during the cleaning process. Some seals may have also perished in older windows, with the degraded rubber leaking onto and marking the glass/frames. There may also be mineral deposits / hard water marks that were present before the clean as a result of water running from render/brickward/metal that is above or surrounding the window.
In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with the finish of the window clean, I offer a 24 hour satisfaction guarantee where I will happily return to the property to re-rinse any problem windows free of charge. Before doing so however, it is recommended that you check any marks are not on the inside of the window pane, as you'll be surprised with the amount of imperfections that become visible on the inside once the outside is clean!