Hiring a Window Cleaning Service

What to Know Before Hiring a Window Cleaning Service?

Hiring a professional for window cleaning may sound a bit unusual. But to maintain the right vibe in both your office and home, window cleaning is vital.

Professional Window Cleaning
window washer working washing glass on building

This job requires a higher degree of attention, risk, and dedicated skills that should not be performed by the untrained. Thus, there’s no harm in leaving the job to the professionals. But how do you hire the best window cleaner?

This mini-guide contains questions that you may need to ask before hiring a professional window washer.

Why Should I Have Clean Windows?

Windows work as the exterior and interior faces of buildings. They are exposed to climatic variations. For this reason, they need periodic maintenance and cleaning. Below are the primary reasons you should clean your windows.

Risk and damage prevention

Building managers who periodically maintain, and clean windows can discover structural problems. This helps them in avoiding any critical damage. Let’s take an example. If you clean windows regularly, you can easily perceive if the waterproofing of the windows is deteriorating or not. Moreover, professionalwindow cleaners can help you to detect cracks quickly.

Don’t forget; cleaning is not enough! It’s necessary to observe and report anomalies, as well.

Valuation of the building and its units in the real estate market

One of the main aspects that value property is its perceived beauty. A building that has clean and well-maintained windows raises rental prices for apartments or commercial rooms. It may also help you close the deal if you are selling.

How is window cleaning done?

Professional window cleaning services sometimes involve climbing, rockers, scaffolding, or even simple hydro jetting to clean the windows. However, the choice of technique depends on the building material, structure, and type of construction.

Therefore, to define how cleaning will be done, it is necessary to evaluate some vital parameters.

Type of building coating

The most common types of coating are:

  • ceramics
  • glass (mirror)
  • tablet
  • wood
  • concrete
  • steel plates

It’s crucial to observe the coating, as it is the main item that will determine the product and the technique to be used.

  • Dirtiness

The more dirt, the more hours of work and more products will be needed – and the more complex the window cleaning process will be.

  • Height of the Building

Scaffolding can be used in buildings up to 40 meters high, and industrial climbing is more recommended for buildings that exceed this limit. Therefore, the height of the building determines the technique used by the cleaning professional.

  • Accessibility

Another window washing factor is accessibility. Some buildings already hold attachment points for rockers. Others offer support points for industrial climbers. However, some builders were not concerned with the maintenance and cleaning of the windows and hinder the access of professionals. All of this must be considered in planning. You may need to install some of this infrastructure if you are to hire a window cleaning service.

Another vital factor to consider is the pedestrian and vehicle traffic below the windows that you’re going to clean. Ideally, a window cleaning service will isolate the area to prevent objects, chemical materials, or water from falling on passers-by.  If you are thinking about basement windows see our Basement finishing post.

Commercial and Residential Window Cleaning. Are they the Same?

Well, no. They aren’t the same. The commercial buildings experience colossal traffic. For this reason, the windows of a commercial building accumulate a lot of dirt.  On the other hand, the residential building’s windows accumulate less dirt, but they can be ornery enough. Due to this reason, the commercial and residential window washing can’t be performed in the same way.

There is a lot of nuance in hiring someone for residential window cleaning, or commercial window cleaning. Having a good idea of what a window cleaning service provides, it will help you determine if the cost is worth the benefit. This guide was designed in order to help alleviate some of those questions and give you a bird’s eye view of window washing. If you need professional window cleaning in South Shore MA try Shore Shore Window Cleaning.

Basement Finishing Ideas

Basement Finishing – 5 things to Consider Before you Start

Have you been thinking about basement finishing or remodeling? For many homeowners, the basement is nothing more than extra space for storage. But did you know that space can be used in a much more effective way? By remodeling the lower level of your home which we often refer to as basement finishing, you can transform it into something the entire family would love to hang out in.

Basement finishing. Showing wall framing for drywall installation
Basement Wall framing for drywall installation

Some great basement remodeling ideas include turning it into a home theater room, a playroom, a basement office, or even a craft room.

No matter how you choose to transform the space in your basement, one thing is for sure, a finished basement can add immense value to your home.

With that being said, here are a few things you will want to consider when it comes to basement finishing.

You May Need Building Permits for Basement Finishing projects

Before starting your remodeling project check with local officials to see if any building permits are needed. This is especially important if you will be doing plumbing or electrical work as both will require an inspection.

Consider Natural Light Sources for Basement Remodeling

If it’s possible, plan to have windows and doors that supply the basement with natural light. All openings will need to be cut out before any other work begins.

Be sure to seal off the rest of the home before you start cutting. Doing so will prevent masonry dust from spreading throughout the home.

You should also have a building professional inspect all surrounding walls to ensure they are able to handle the increased structural load.

Ensure You Have Good Drainage

The last thing you want in a finished basement is a moisture problem. And while most homeowners will opt to install a dehumidifier, doing so will cause more harm than good.

The key to preventing moisture build-up in a finished basement is to ensure there is good drainage. The bathroom and kitchen should have good ventilation. During the warmer, more humid months, avoid opening the windows.

Install vapor retardant between interior stud walls and floors, as well as between foundation walls and floor slabs.

How Will The Ceiling Be Finished

It’s very common for homeowners to use drywall ceilings in their basement. And while drywall is a great option, there is one big problem, it tends to flake very easily. Over time you will find that it looks more like a jigsaw puzzle than an actual ceiling.

A better option would be drop ceiling tiles. The great thing about drop ceiling tiles is they can be easily moved. This makes it a lot easier to access things such as electrical hookups or plumbing pipes.

Have an Escape Route

All finished basements must have an escape route. It is vital people can easily get out if something should happen.

While building codes are different in every city, many require egress windows as a matter of safety. Egress windows are designed to make it easy for occupants to escape from a room in the event of an emergency.

Building codes require all egress windows be large enough for a fully equipped firefighter to be able to get through. Hinged outside access doors are also a great option if you are unable to install egress windows.

A Final Word on Basement Finishing

When it comes to finishing a basement the biggest challenge you will run into is figuring out how to work around obstructions. The most common obstructions are water pipes, plumbing drains, electrical wires, and heating ducts.

If you have no experience with this type of home improvement project it would be best you leave it to a professional such as Basement Remodel South Shore. They will be able to help you come up with a basement design that fits both your budget and the unique design of your space. Also, if you need professional painting see our blog post on painting ideas.