Why Hire a Pro to Clean High-Rise Windows

Posted: 08/28/17 - Category: Windows

When people think about window cleaning services, they might have the impression one service is the same as any other. This is not necessarily true. You have residential window cleaners, services that work on commercial buildings and you have high-rise window cleaners.

In the window cleaning industry, you will find companies that strictly stick to residential work, and you will also find businesses that focus on commercial window cleaning and working on high-rise buildings. Along with that, you also have many companies that have the equipment and the skills to work on any type of building.

High-rise window cleaning really stands out from the rest of the services that are available. It requires specialised equipment, an expanded skill set and the potential hazards are much greater. If you need to hire a contractor for high-rise window cleaning in Toronto, it is important that you hire real professionals that have the necessary skills and equipment.

The Equipment

One of the main reasons that you need to hire a professional to clean the windows on a high-rise building is the access to the right equipment. You are going to need more than a bottle of Windex and a few rags to get this job done.

Of course, high-rise window cleaners are going to use a lot of the same equipment that any other window washer would use, but they need special equipment that will allow them to reach all of the windows. Aside from things like a bucket with window solution, a squeegee and a window mop, they are going to need a range of items that the average maintenance crew is unlikely to have.

Extensions poles are among the tools that a window cleaner might bring for working on a high-rise. For the ground floor and the first two or three stories, there are extensions that can be attached to tools like the squeegee and the mop that will allow them to get the windows of the lower floors clean. These extensions can be a little tricky to use, but the experience and training of a professional window cleaner will allow them to use the extensions without the risk of damaging the windows.

Another important piece of equipment for high-rise window cleaning is the bosun’s chair. A bosun’s chair is a type of suspension chair that allows the worker to rappel down the side of the building to access the windows that are many floors above the ground level. It is essentially a platform that is used as a seat, and it has rigging that can attach to ropes that are anchored at the top of the building. With a bosun’s chair, the worker has a safe, comfortable platform from which they can work at these heights.

To go along with the bosun’s chair, the window washer is also going to need a range of different equipments. A bosun’s chair needs various safety components that prevent falls and keep the rider on the chair. You need a harness to strap the user in, they need a roof rig to descend from, and they also need things like karabiners, descenders and the rope. Just the use and safe rigging of this equipment requires special training and skill.

Why hire pros?

The need to hire professional window cleaners for a high-rise goes beyond the access to the equipment. You could potentially buy some of this equipment, but you should think twice before asking an untrained maintenance professional or employee to do this type of work. As I mentioned before, it takes time and training to get good at using this equipment safely, and an untrained person might not feel comfortable working at the necessary heights.

A professional service is going to have employees that know how to use the equipment properly, and they have undergone safety training that can prevent a potential disaster. If a person lacks familiarity with the equipment or does not understand the proper safety protocols, it is a grave risk to put them out on the side of a high-rise building. When people make mistakes in this job, the risk of injury and death is very real.

Beyond safety, there are additional benefits to hiring professionals. A professional service is going to provide better results. An experienced window washer is going to get every window as clean as it can get, and they will give the windows on your building that nice, streak-free shine. Whether it is an office building or any other type of high-rise, clear windows can make a big difference.

In addition to windows that look better, a professional window cleaning service will also get the job done faster. Most high-rise buildings have dozens of windows at a minimum. With a crew of experienced pros on the job, they can get all of those windows washed in a fraction of the time that it would take an untrained, inexperienced person.

What to look for when hiring high-rise window cleaners

If you are looking to hire a professional window cleaning service to work on a high-rise, there are some points to consider.

Having insurance is one important point. You not only want to make sure that they are covered for any accidental damage that may occur when they are working on your building, but you also want to know that they have insurance that covers any injuries or accidents that may occur while they are working on your property.

Experience is another important point. Ask a representative from the company the number of years they have been in business. You should also ask about different buildings that they may have worked on and if they have any references from other clients.

You also want to talk to the company about their plans for working on your building. Will they be able to schedule cleanings when you need them? How long do they estimate the average cleaning time will be for each visit? Can they develop a plan that is specifically suited to the needs of your company?

Professional window cleaning has a value even if you are not talking about a large building. However, the need for a professional service is critical for the job of high-rise window cleaning. With a high-rise, it is not just about getting windows that look better; you need to have the right equipment, and there are some serious safety issues concerning the possibility of sending a non-professional to work under these conditions.