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Complaints of water marks after a first clean... :-(

M

MikeNW

This was a particularly bad job, hadn't been done since Noah was a teenager! Cleaned, re cleaned, cleaned just glass rinsed like mad and left. Got a text tonight saying the windows are "clean but covered in water marks".

Going back in the morning but the question is how would you approach the clean?

Do I try and do just glass and stay away from the frames as much as possible? (All windows have a pair of small openers above main pane) Do I start again as if it's and first clean, do frames and come back to glass?

Being Sunday they are going to be in and obviously ultra critical and to make it a bit more awkward I've had a call from 2 doors down (fliers delivered at the time) and so have to price that at the same time! Need to get this one right! All tips welcome!

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Likelihood is that if the windows/frames were very dirty that the frames were not scrubbed and rinsed enough or the finish on the frames may be breaking down if they are powdered aliminium or old PVC frames. Even old rubber seals can leach into the water. I'd be inclined to clean the windows only and see what the results are and go from there.

 
Thanks for the reply, particularly at this time of night on a sat :). What about the top openers, would be nice to skip them in a way and concentrate on main panes but I reckon these windows may get close inspection! Surely letting water run from the over the frame onto. Main windows without scrubbing that bar is a risk? Only 2 days since I scrubbed though?! Wish me luck!

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I had a call from a regular customer of mine saying that she thought I'd forgotten to do her downstairs back windows as they had water marks on them. I knew I hadn't forgotten so went back the next day for a look.

Turns out that the customer had been using her sprinkler for a few weeks and the tap water from the sprinkler had dried onto the glass leaving marks. Once I'd got the window wet I couldn't see the marks and presumed I'd got them all off. These marks had been proper baked on by the sun and I ended up using a weak mix of limescale remover to get them all off as pure water alone was doing nothing.

You say that the windows hadn't been cleaned in a long time so it could be something similar to what happened to me.

If that's not the case, I'd avoid the frame and just go over the glass and then rinse the hell out of them. Good luck.

 
Had the same water marks with the sprinkler in a customer outside gym had to trad it three times before the marks went bloody nightmare.

 
I'm pretty sure the water marks aren't my water but are from the past! Some windows have come up perfect and one or two of the top ones haven't. It's clusters under the ends of the vent and although I cleaned just glass again I don't think it's taken the marks off. She's out, I'm letting it dry and going back in half hour for a look. I've not got any virosol or Unix or whatever, I've only been at this a few months and just never needed it yet! Has anyone ever heard of strike? It's another multi purpose cleaner degreaser that I've used for all sorts I'm wondering if I should give that a try!

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I'm a bit late replying but grab some viakal or something similar. Spray it on a microfibre and give it a good scrub. That should get it off.

 
There's a very big chance that the water marks were already there and are not down to you. If they are down to you they will rub off very easily, if they were there before then they probably won't rub off at all. Worth checking.

 
Always clean the frames first then agitate the glass then rinse, from experience and advice from other window cleaners on this forum you should really increase your flow rate for first cleans. I always clean the vents and have no issues. Flow rate is definitely key.

 
Always clean the frames first then agitate the glass then rinse, from experience and advice from other window cleaners on this forum you should really increase your flow rate for first cleans. I always clean the vents and have no issues. Flow rate is definitely key.

 
I'm thinking they aren't mine! Sprayed a bit of strike on th brush and made a massive improvement. Hopefully I've cracked it now, dread to think how much time and water I used on a £15 job but can't win em all I guess! Ubix on order for first cleans now I think....

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First cleans I usually clean the frames and then the glass, quick glass rinse. Work my way round the house starting upstairs the go back to the first windows and clean glass only and work my way back round. Take a while but don't get complaints, until now! :)

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I'm a bit late replying but grab some viakal or something similar. Spray it on a microfibre and give it a good scrub. That should get it off.
I use Viakal as well for limescale removal. Works pretty well on splash marks from leaky overflows and overspray from plant watering etc

 
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