Alright, I think I’ve figured out what the problem is behind my taking so long. I just got done with a doctor’s office and it took me five hours to clean the 21 windows with only four for which I had to climb a ladder. I would say about 3/5 or 3.5/5 of my time is spent detailing and I have to go through so many towels just to get all the water off the windows. I went through about 6-8 rags today. I’m just leaving too much doggoned water on the windows. It is killing me.
Does anyone have any comments or critiques to follow my dilemma? Is this a usual thing or not? How can I fix it?
The edge of your squeegee should run against the rubber mounting the glass onto the frame.
Start on one side, go up to the top and run across the top of the glass and then down the opposite side. Fan back up catching the water thats still on the glass and continue down to close out the window. You should only have a minimal amount of water left on the glass to detail off.
Steve’s video as linked below shows the process well ( I was watching this last night)
Start at the top obviously with those high windows and work down.
Are you having trouble with too much soap or too much water?
First of all relax brother. You are new to the trade and you are working on building your skill and craft. Focus on doing the best job for the client, that’s all that matters to them.
Secondly you will increase speed and proficiency as you hone your skills. You’ll be fine.
That is an excellent video. Watch it a few times, take notes and implement his technique. If you get on a job and get behind or running short on time straight pull if need be to just get the job done.
You don’t have to towel detail everything. Use you small squeegee to detail the frames if you have to. You can have too much soap but on a commercial glass or outside residential I don’t think you can have too much water, IMO. Everyone is different. Good luck
@M_Lewis, I didn’t mean I put too much solution on the glass, I mean there was too much solution on the glass after I squeegee the window. It’s causing me to a super long time to detail because there are big splotches all over the window. Yesterday I did a job that should have took about an hour and I spent five hours on it.
Im old school but after 27 years of window cleaning I would suggest getting a set of simple Ettore Brass channels. I would get a 6, and maybe 8, 10, 12. 14 for residential and 18" for commercial. They are just so balanced and perfect to learn with. Very forgiving. Once you get those down move on to others and see what works for you but I can guarantee you will always use your Ettore channels. Brass ettore channels is all I use on residential still to this day after trying all the new options. Now I will say on Commercial I would grab my wide body channels for larger plates of glass.
Definitely switch to a basic brass blade and handle. You are using advanced tools. Also make sure you have a nice new rubber. Luke has tons of videos that can help you. Also if you’re struggling with soap you can switch to TSP It’s suds free and creates great slip.
Im right with you on the water thing. I got lucky to have a construction clean up to start off. what i did to not have all that access water. I simply squeeze the mop a bit. Im up too near 12 window an hour. how ever the entrances are taking near 2 hours each. i found that alcohol is a good friend to get rid of those fingerprints on aluminium frames.
How did you get a construction clean up up to start a business? I’ve wanted to get one, but all I can think to do is call construction companies and give them my pricing.
They was remodeling a building for the Bellevue hospital. 30,000 SQ feet. 168 windows, I just stopped by and asked. I guess the nearest window cleaning service near me is 60 miles in each direction. learned a lot. Ran into cement, paint, ect. Made out, now I have the building monthly. Then the construction guy had another building a few towns over, quoted it yesterday 102 small windows Got insurance, vendor license, should only take a day, the last building took a week and a half. But if anyone knows how to get fingerprints off an aluminum frame let me know. Tried alcohol, stainless steel cleaner, just doesn’t want to come off. Anyone try nail polish remover?
