A number of aspects can affect the methods employed by commercial window cleaning companies. Height of the building and access are the main ones. All the staff in the companies needs to have special training to operate at heights and risk is another factor in deciding the appropriate technique. The traditional window cleaning style with a ladder and a squeegee is still used but when this is not possible there a number of other methods which can be employed.
For lower windows the water fed hose technique is ideal. It has several advantages over the traditional method. Firstly the pole can reach places which a ladder cannot such as above flower beds. The water used is purified which means that it attracts dirt so the process uses less detergent. Also after washing the hose rinses the glass and no further wiping is needed as the pure water dries without smears. The method is quicker because less washing is needed and also the worker does not have to get up and down ladders. It also does not damage buildings at all as there is no equipment to attach and also disturbs the occupants less. The poles usually reach to around twenty meters.
High buildings present different challenges and companies usually use three different methods to overcome these. A cradle is used on very large buildings as it is time consuming to set up and move the equipment. The building needs to have facilities for the pulley systems which hoist the cradle.
For buildings which are clear of obstructions, both on the ground and around the sides a cherry picker can be used. This can also be called a mobile platform. The vehicle which hoists the platform is fairly large so there must be a lot of clear space around the building. To hire this machinery is not cheap so this can be an expensive option but it is safe.
Abseiling techniques are ideal for places with difficult access. The person can get into smaller places then the machines. It is also quicker as there is less equipment to set up and there is no equipment blocking the window. Specialist training is needed for this just the same as the other high rise methods.
The internet is the most convenient place to find out more about window cleaning methods. You can also find special directories of local companies.
The methods employed by commercial window cleaning companies are designed to give great service with maximum safety.
Do you know what factors determine the methods employed by commercial window cleaning companies to clean building windows? Check out our window cleaning London guide for the super inside skinny!