FAQ About Squeegee Clean

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY WINDOWS CLEANED?

This depends upon many things including your budget and environmental factors such as dust or pollution present, types of trees in the area, foot traffic inside your home or business, and so forth. 

At the very least, you should have your windows cleaned annually.  This not only keeps your home looking beautiful, but allows your window cleaner to catch potential problems such as leaking skylights, broken window seals, hard water spot development, and other issues.  A number of our customers schedule their cleaning at six-month intervals, which is the time frame we suggest, but we understand that one's budget is a consideration.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO HAVE MY WINDOWS CLEANED?

Surprisingly, there really is not a month (or season) better than any other. We clean windows every month of the year based on our customers' preferences.  We have found that a similar number of folks prefer spring, summer, or fall. Still, many of our customers schedule their window cleaning for the winter months, so that their windows look their best around the Holidays, and maybe to give a sparkle to their home in an otherwise cold or dreary month. 

SHOULD I HAVE THE INSIDE OF MY WINDOWS CLEANED?

Yes. Although it may seem like the outside is the dirtiest, you may be surprised to learn that the inside can get just as dirty and often develops a haze or film comprised of kitchen smoke, dust, dander, and other microscopic particles. If you don't clean the inside, you're only cleaning half the window.

WHAT DO YOU USE TO CLEAN MY WINDOWS?

That is top secret.

Ok, actually we just use a mixtutre consisting of a degreaser and a lubricant. We've learned that although some products work better than others, the most important thing is that the cleaning agent be water-based so that it captures and holds the debris in suspension for a squeegee to remove it from the glass.

WHAT ARE THESE HARD-TO-REMOVE SPOTS ON MY WINDOWS?

They are probably mineral deposits, a.k.a. "hard water spots," and are most commonly caused by sprinkler overspray or rainwater that has run over mortar, limestone, or precast concrete above windows.  Unless purified, water contains trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, iron, and other minerals that will bond to your glass.  An example is the overspray from your hose or sprinkler that comes into contact with your glass.  As it evaporates, it deposits these minerals on the glass.  If left untreated, this process will ultimately etch the glass permanently.  

Unfortunately, severe mineral deposits are not removed by a standard cleaning and require a window restoration. Squeegee Clean performs some restorations and can discuss the pros and cons if this issue is prevalent at your home.

WHAT ARE THESE WHITE SPOTS INSIDE MY WINDOWS?

If you notice small white spots, flakes, fogging, or condensation between the glass panels of your IG (insulated glass) units, it is most certainly window corrosion.  This problem most often occurs after the seal is compromised which allows moisture to enter.  Unfortunately, replacing the window in part or whole is the only viable solution once this process has begun.  Check with your builder or the window manufacturer to discuss warranty options

DO RAZOR BLADES SCRATCH GLASS?

The short answer: no.  A well-maintained scraper/razor will not scratch uncoated glass when properly used, as the glass is actually harder than the metal in the blade. 

The long answer: sometimes.  Scratches can arise while cleaning tempered glass, and is due to inherent defects on the surface of the glass.  An example of such a defect is "fabricating debris." During the manufacturing process, microscopic glass particles can settle onto the glass, and when the glass is heat treated the particles are effectively baked onto the glass surface.  When a window cleaner runs a scraper across glass with such defects, he dislodges them which can result in micro scratches across the surface of the glass. 

Another example is the scratching caused during the post-construction clean up (the initial cleaning after your windows have been installed).  Often mortar or concrete finds its way onto your glass.  If improperly used, a scraper will dislodge this construction debris and severely scratch your glass.  Additionally, using a low quality or rusted blade almost always results in damage.

Despite the occasional bad rap, scrapers remain a vital tool in the window cleaner's arsenal, and the window cleaning professionals at Squeegee Clean understand how they are best used.

I JUST HAD WINDOWS INSTALLED SO THEY'RE CLEAN, RIGHT?

This is a common misperception.  Look at your new windows when the sun is shining directly on them and you will see little globs, streaks, or splatterings of something.  Try to wipe them clean, and they stubbornly remain.  This is likely silicone, a residue left over from the window assembling process.  It also happens to be one of the hardest materials to remove from the glass surface. We have the tools to remove silicone, and will do so while protecting your glass from scratches.