RESIDENTIAL

Cleaning your windows can be a time-consuming project, according to Damian Casillas, owner of A.B. Window Cleaning in Murrieta, California

Not only do you need to go out and buy the proper tools and risk your safety by going up and down a ladder, there is no guarantee on the results.

Casillas says “I’ve been cleaning windows for decades.  I have the proper tools, the right ladders if need, and decades of experience to do the job right the first time.”

A professional window washer can identify problems like sashes that are painted shut, ill-fitting window screens, wood rot on windowsills, or damaged or non-functional windows.

Spotting the problems early can often save you a big expense later, and it could even save your life.

Little things like painted sashes and clogged channels might spell the difference between getting out in case of fire or being forced to take another way out of danger in a very stressful situation.

Bees and hornets sometimes build nests behind window shutters, and  wasps build nests in the eaves. Ladybugs can also build nests in channels, making the windows hard to operate.

“Old aluminum screens left in place for years gradually etch a pattern of deposits on the glass, much like lime deposits in the shower,” Casillas says. “The etched glass is not only unattractive, but it is also more prone to cracks and chips.

A professional window washer can restore the glass and extend your window’s life with a treatment of muriatic acid or, in less severe cases, Bar Keepers Friend and grade 0000 steel wool, he says.”

Professional window cleaners can ensure that the right products are used to clean glass without damaging it.

“If you have leaded glass or stained glass, you may be unintentionally damaging it by using an ammonia-based window cleaner”, Casillas says. With repeated use, ammonia-based cleaner can cloud leaded and stained glass windows, and the damage can’t be repaired, he cautions.

“Professional window washers also have the right equipment, such as ladders and telescoping window-washing tools, to safely clean hard-to-reach windows”, says Casillas.

Puzzled about what’s causing the spots on your glass? Your mulch may be to blame, Casillas says.

“Cheap mulches often are infested with a fungus aptly named shotgun fungus,” he explains. “When mature, the fungus shoots out black spores that glue themselves to glass and vinyl siding and are very hard to remove completely.”

A professional window-cleaning service can pinpoint the cause of the problem, and replacing your mulch with a higher-quality product can help your windows and siding stay cleaner and last longer, according to Casillas.

How much window cleaners charge varies, but Casillas says you usually get what you pay for. Anyone with a bucket, squeegee and window mop can call himself or herself a window cleaner.

“Ask questions before you hire just anyone,” he advises. “A true professional will make sure your windows are not only clean, but functional and will advise you on ways to protect the biggest investment most people ever make — their home.”

We recommend getting your windows cleaned at least once per year, says it’s important to ask for references and read reviews before hiring a window washer.

“Ask them how long they’ve been in the business,” he says.

We  also recommend asking companies whether they clean windows with a hose or a power washer, and what types of products they use to wash windows.