Superficial scratches, I think

[Mikej]

Hi Guys, some advice would be appreciated.
I have cleaned windows around 8 years using wfp. I clean my own windows at home, it’s newish build around 5 years old. They never actually come up great, I think it is cheap glass.
I cleaned them last week and on one the windows, there is around 8 perfectly straight lines around 8 inches long with a slight gap in between them. Some are longer than the others.. I can rub my finger across and there is no groove like a scratch. I have tried cleaning it traditionally but nothing. Has anyone had this before? I can only assume they are very light scratches, they almost look kind of white lines. I have never a had a complaint and get a lot of work from recommendations but having seen my own house I have started having a few doubts about my skills I will try and attach a picture on a better day with the light.

 

[PC]

A lot of new builds will have scratches on the windows and will only be visible at certain times or when you look particularly closely. I’m in a newish build (4 years) and have scratches on a couple of windows. They are normally caused when the building company use their own labourers to do the initial builders clean.
Don’t worry about your customers windows. As long as you keep the brush clean from grit etc then you aren’t going to scratch a window.
Unless you turn it round and use the back of the brush to scrub at bird mess!!!

 

[Mikej]

A lot of new builds will have scratches on the windows and will only be visible at certain times or when you look particularly closely. I’m in a newish build (4 years) and have scratches on a couple of windows. They are normally caused when the building company use their own labourers to do the initial builders clean.
Don’t worry about your customers windows. As long as you keep the brush clean from grit etc then you aren’t going to scratch a window.
Unless you turn it round and use the back of the brush to scrub at bird mess!!!

Thanks mate, I see a few scratches and it makes paranoid. Don’t like feeling like that. They are weird lines, they are so straight it looks like someone has used a ruler to draw them they are that straight. I do think if it was scratched with a brush it wouldn’t be perfect lines. I’m not sure though

 

[Pjj]

Sometimes the scratches will only show up after they have been cleaned the sunlight reflects like a prism in the scratch when it’s clean but not when dirty

 

[Iron Giant]

No doubt happened at any point with the glass units being delivered to the site then you need to ask yourselves if were they stored and handled correctly before being installed, I very much doubt they were I have an issue in the past and glass units were dragged off pallets the care that should be taken with a new build house most often isn't.

 

[David K]

As mentioned scratches on new builds is very common, when I arrive at a new costumer, and notices scratches, i always mention them before working , often they have never noticed them before so I might ruin their day

 

[Mikej]

This is what it looks like if anyone could shed any light on it?

 

[Part Timer]

Looks like the seal is breaking down, a bit straight for scratches. If it is the seals this will continue to happen

 

[Yogi1872]

If it is lightly scratched you don't need to replace the unit, there's people who can buff out the scratches, been a few years since I last had one but I'm sure it cost £70 or £90 for the guy to buff them out, there will be someone who does that kind of thing where you are too.

 

[Pjj]

Don’t think you would get scratches that straight , can you feel it with your fingers ?

 

[Mikej]

Don’t think you would get scratches that straight , can you feel it with your fingers ?

That’s what I thought. can’t feel it with fingers, there is no groove in it like a scratch to feel.

 

[Pjj]

That’s what I thought. can’t feel it with fingers, there is no groove in it like a scratch to feel.

Are you sure it’s not in between the two pains of glass and the unit is blown ?

 

[Mattymarske]

Like @Pjj said it might be between the panes. You see all sorts with low light. I've even seen a boot mark between the panes must've been in the factory somehow. I have a couple of jobs and there's finger prints inside the glass where they've added the costly between-pane-blinds.

Also glass isn't a perfect material so might be manufacturing defect.

 

[Mattymarske]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...gQFnoECEAQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1VBhDMv0svAwxlRzEj2I9u

It's interesting how far away imperfections are allowed in windows before they'll replace. We had 2 full bays on a Taylor Wimpy house so 10 panes of glass as they had a speckling that really annoyed me in a 6 inch band on every pane. I could only see it kneeling on carpet playing with the children but it was enough for Taylor Wimpy to replace when the woman finally honed in her vision to see what I saw. The fitter was on the phone to his mate incredulous that they'd sent him on a Friday to replace 10 panes he was finished in 2hrs so don't know what he was whining about

 

[Mattymarske]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...gQFnoECEAQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1VBhDMv0svAwxlRzEj2I9u

It's interesting how far away imperfections are allowed in windows before they'll replace. We had 2 full bays on a Taylor Wimpy house so 10 panes of glass as they had a speckling that really annoyed me in a 6 inch band on every pane. I could only see it kneeling on carpet playing with the children but it was enough for Taylor Wimpy to replace when the woman finally honed in her vision to see what I saw. The fitter was on the phone to his mate incredulous that they'd sent him on a Friday to replace 10 panes he was finished in 2hrs so don't know what he was whining about