Every day we find more buildings with large windows in which expert window cleaning at height is a fundamental task. The glass and windows of the stores that are at street level and have only one floor are not too complicated to polish. But what about the tallest buildings or skyscrapers whose facade is made entirely of glass? Of course, these questions are not easy to solve.
How to clean large and high-rise windows is something we should consider when we work or own a company or building that meets these characteristics. That’s why in this post we tell you all the details and secrets of window cleaning at height.
When do we need window cleaning at height?
First, we must think about the characteristics of our building. Office cleaning will be more complicated if they have huge, tall windows. To make this cleaning work simple, it is best to rely on cleaning companies specialized in washing windows at height.
Now that we know what we need, it is normal for us to consider what kind of professional cleaning our windows require and how often they would have to be polished. The first thing we have to do is select from among many cleaning agencies which one suits us best. This company will have to make a customized budget in which we detail how to clean the glass at height and how often. You can do this once you know your needs.
Window cleaning techniques at height
The method and tools for cleaning windows at height that we hire will always depend on how tall and accessible the windows are. It will not be the same to polish the windows of a three-story office than to shine a skyscraper of the tallest building in Arizona.
Pole window cleaning
There are very long poles that allow us to access even 20 meters high. Therefore, not always when we think about how to wash tall windows, we have to imagine operators hanging on the facade. When it is possible to polish the windows from the floor, we will use this technique, because it is the one that implies fewer risks.
The poles are extendable handles that allow us to reach great heights. Some are made of carbon fiber, which greatly lightens the weight that the glass cleaner has to endure while doing its homework. Many of these poles have already incorporated a system that transports water to the end where the brush is located. The bristles of these brushes are open and soft so as not to scratch the surface. However, they have the firmness necessary to drag dirt without a problem. Ozonized water or pure water is free of minerals and other particles. It is a product that allows deep disinfection without the need to use soaps or other additives and also prevents watermarks from being left on the glass.
Window cleaning at a height with lift
These cranes have a very long and extensible arm capable of raising the operator responsible for cleaning windows at height to a considerable level. There are different sizes but can reach more than 24 meters.
Some of these elevators, for example, caterpillars, can easily enter landscaped and hard-to-reach areas. These mechanisms allow a wide range of mobility since they move up and down and also to the sides. This freedom of movement makes it easy for the operator to clean large windows and control with a remote control where to go to continue with his task.
Gondolas for cleaning windows at height
The gondolas are platforms with the shape of a basket that is suspended in the air so that the cleaning staff can polish the crystals and move through rails. This allows operators to move sideways, but also from top to bottom, or vice versa.
Some recently built buildings have an integrated pulley system to suspend a gondola. This occurs especially in the most modern buildings, whose facade is composed almost entirely of glass. Therefore, the architect who designed it already considered the need to regularly perform a window cleaning at height.
Height window cleaning with harness
This technique is that the operator picks up the glazed surface to perform the cleaning work. The employee slides from the roof of the building and hangs. This method is used only in cases where reaching the facade would be impossible otherwise because of its difficult accessibility. The risk that this type of window cleaning entails in height is evident because the operator is stuck with ropes and is secured through a harness hooked with carabiners. Special care must be taken with the prevention of occupational hazards used when carrying out this cleaning technique. The fastening points and all the elements used for the operator to pick up must be homologized.
Operators who perform this type of facade cleaning need to have many utensils on them. To facilitate this task, on many occasions they have a mobile platform where they can leave some of them. However, other times, they are forced to carry with them each tool permanently and, therefore, they must have the necessary systems to anchor these instruments in their clothing.
How to clean windows and leave them transparent
- Employees work in a better mood when they receive natural light every day. The sun’s rays when they come into contact with the skin generate vitamin D. This vitamin is related to good moods. Many studies show that exposure to sunlight in a measured way improves our mood. If an employee is happy, he works better and performs more.
- The maximum weight indicated by the manufacturer must never be exceeded when lifting and platforms. This way we will avoid dangerous and unnecessary pickups and accidents.
- Operators must get on the platform when it is on the ground, and once inside they will proceed to secure with the corresponding harness.
- The necessary cleaning tools and materials must always be properly secured so that they cannot fall into a vacuum and cause an accident.
- If the employee detects any anomaly in the platforms or harnesses that hold him, he will stop his work, he will check that everything is in perfect condition to continue. You should not continue with your work until the damage has been corrected.
- If the weather conditions hinder or impede the work of professionals, they must stop their work. Employee safety always prevails.
- When professionals finish their tasks, they must return the gondola to the ground and pick up the cable.
As we have seen, the task of cleaning windows at height may not be precisely simple. To clean windows outside, we need cleaning staff perfectly prepared for this purpose. The use of specific glass cleaners and other glass cleaning products should always be left to experts who know how to use the appropriate amounts and how to use each chemical.
For these reasons, it is best to clean glass at height to hire an expert cleaning company to polish the windows of our office. Therefore, when you need a glass cleaning company, do not hesitate to contact us. We offer you service adapted to your company and we offer you the best-qualified personnel. Our prices are for all budgets, so do not hesitate to ask us for a budget for window cleaning at height without obligation. In Arizona Window Washers, we are always at your disposal.
