Is a Certified Window Cleaner a Better Window Cleaner?

IWCA Safety Certified Window Cleaning Contractor in Dayton, Ohio, Pride Master, Inc.In a word: Yes! Whether you’re looking at it from the perspective of the company, the employee or the customer … yes, yes and again, yes!

When you think safety you think “avoiding injury”. That’s certainly the most important reason to ensure it; however, when you think of everything that can be either positively or negatively impacted by the presence or lack of safety … everything from production, quality, customer relations and profitability is affected as well.

Look at it this way: If an employee incurs an injury which requires lengthy medical absence he will need to be replaced. The replacement doesn’t know the jobs as well and will require closer supervision which will take from the supervisor’s production and/or in the event he is replaced by an inexperienced employee may also result in poor quality work. By the time you factor the expense of the BWC claim, lost production, potentially oversighted quality issues and, quite possibly damage to the customer’s property (depending on the nature of the accident) … the company, the employee and the customer are all likely to be losers in the situation … and that’s just a medical leave injury … it could have been worse.

Make no mistake, from any perspective, a certified window cleaner is a better window cleaner. Does being certified mean an employee won’t have an accident? No, certainly not. It does; however, ensure that he is better prepared to recognize safety hazards and knows the proper procedures for all the tools and access equipment he uses which makes such an accident much less likely.

Safety certification for window cleaners is not yet a legal requirement in the United States and, unfortunately, until it is required; most companies will choose to avoid the expense unless customers force their hand by using only certified window cleaners. For the good of the industry and all the employees who take the risks, let’s hope it works out that way.

When is the best time to have your windows cleaned?

We get this question quite frequently.

If you’re having your windows cleaned for a special event or because you’re expecting out of town guests,try to schedule service for three (3) days ahead of the event or arrival date. This will ensure that there is timeto reschedule in the event that weather prevents service from taking place on the original service date.

Outside of that, anytime is a good time.

We have residential customers that prefer a full service in Spring and late Summer because they feel those are the most beautiful times of year; while others want nice clean windows during Winter since that’s when they spend most of their time indoors. Both ways of looking at it make perfect sense so it’s really just personal preference.

If you want a price break, Dayton, Ohio window cleaning tends to slow a bit during Winter and mid Summer and, like any other industry, most of us will offer a discount to help keep us busy during slower periods.

How often should I have my windows cleaned?

Perhaps the most frequently asked question of all.

Your windows are going to start getting dirty soon after cleaning them,that’s why many commercial customers have us out monthly (in some cases even bi-weekly). So the question is really, how dirty do you want to let them get.

How close you are to trees and foliage, how clean or dirty is your brick or siding and what is your proximity to dust and dirt from the road or local construction. Your preference, mixed with the answer to those exterior questions, and a few other interior questions is the only way we know to provide a definitive answer to that question.

Most home owners are happy with once or twice a year but we have had residential customers set up regular maintenance schedules for as often as bi-monthly. The thing to keep in mind is that, cleanliness is not the only reason for cleaning your windows.

Hard water, calcium from mortar or precast concrete, aluminum oxidation from siding or frames and screenburn from metallic screens can all cause permanent damage to glass … for that reason, we recommend a frequency of at least twice annually to all customers … from that point, it is, as I say, a matter of degrees. If you want your windows to look anywhere from acceptable to excellent nearly all the time … you may want to consider a bi-monthly service.

Should I Clean My Own Gutters?

 

The answer, probably not.

There are a lot of gutter companies in the Dayton, Ohio area that offer gutter cleaning services to their customers. 

Here are some things you should look for when hiring a gutter company to clean your gutters. 

Insurance is a must, get a copy from the underwriter showing that the liability and workers-comp. insurance is in effect when they do the work. 

How long have they been in business? 

Your home is usually one of your biggest assets; you don’t want inexperienced people working on it.  Do they do the work, or do they hire subcontractors?

If they hire subcontractors; that opens up a whole new set of issues, but for this discussion you must get a copy of the insurance from the subcontractor in addition to the general contractor.

Will the gutter company inspect your gutters and notify you if they see any problems with the gutters that need to be fixed or replaced?

We will, and we are professionals at it.

 

Benefits of using a professional window cleaning service

A professional window cleaner has the necessary skill and equipment to perform a tedious and often high risk service effectively, efficiently and safely. Here are a few good reasons why businesses should hire professional window cleaners:

1. Image
The first thing that a client will notice in an office is its appearance. Appearances do matter in business. It is a reflection of how the office operates. If an office is sloppy in its cleanliness, it is more likely to be sloppy in its business. Clean windows project the image of class, sophistication and orderliness. It will create a favorable and lasting impression to the client. This is what a professional commercial window cleaner can help you achieve.

2. Safety
Commercial cleaners are adept at cleaning the windows particularly in a high rise building. They have the necessary equipment and experience to do the cleaning in a fast and safe manner. They know what precautionary measures to take to be able to prevent unwanted accidents or breaking the windows’ glass. An ordinary office employee would not have the know-how behind the maintenance window cleaning provides, which can turn into a liability.

3. Proper maintenance
Hard water from sprinkler systems, calcium from mortar or precast concrete, aluminum oxidation from siding or frames and screen burn from metallic screens can all cause permanent damage to glass. Performing regularly scheduled window cleaning for the exterior of your building is key to protecting your investment.

4. Promotes a Healthier Work Environment
A clean place promotes a healthy atmosphere in the office. Employees are happier and more inclined to perform well.