Windows leaving drip marks!

[Jaydin92]

Ok so I’ve been doing this for 20 years now I am 33 (10 years pole work) I have this job and it leaves drip marks down the windows all the time, I always thought it was due to the old wooden windows but recently changed and it still happens!!!!!
( I will get a photo today as I need to go back again!!!! To make good)

This is so annoying as I don’t really want the job any more, I have tried loads of times to push the customer into us going our separate ways as I can not get it to stop happening.

I have always said that it needs to be done traditionally but she didn’t want it done this way(not sure why), but now she has agreed to it I want to double the price from £35 to £70 is this taking the P%#@. ??

Takes me 30mins on the pole and probably 50mins by hand but it’s a pig of a job.

Cheers guys for your input.

 

[Iron Giant]

At a guess, dirt is coming down from above, but without knowing the job it is a guess.

I took a job a few months ago and had intermittent issues with spotting, then I realised that the silicone had failed due to some of the windows sagging from the top probably a structural issue, I advised the customer that they need to get the windows sorted by having someone put fresh silicone across the top of the windows frame otherwise it will happen every time, fast forward 4 weeks later nothing has been done

 

[Jaydin92]

At a guess, dirt is coming down from above, but without knowing the job it is a guess.

I took a job a few months ago and had intermittent issues with spotting, then I realised that the silicone had failed due to some of the windows sagging from the top probably a structural issue, I advised the customer that they need to get the windows sorted by having someone put fresh silicone across the top of the windows frame otherwise it will happen every time, fast forward 4 weeks later nothing has been done

Yes it has to be, but just one of them jobs as much rinsing still happens, lady seems to not care that she has to call me every time to come back, I thought that would annoy someone but her she seems to love it I want her to cancel me but it seems not in her mind at all .!

 

[Iron Giant]

Yes it has to be, but just one of them jobs as much rinsing still happens, lady seems to not care that she has to call me every time to come back, I thought that would annoy someone but her she seems to love it I want her to cancel me but it seems not in her mind at all .!

Based on this I'd drop her, and just tell her because of the ongoing issue her house is a job that you can no longer clean, at the end of the day it's your business, let someone else have the headache

 

[dazmond]

Ok so I’ve been doing this for 20 years now I am 33 (10 years pole work) I have this job and it leaves drip marks down the windows all the time, I always thought it was due to the old wooden windows but recently changed and it still happens!!!!!
( I will get a photo today as I need to go back again!!!! To make good)

This is so annoying as I don’t really want the job any more, I have tried loads of times to push the customer into us going our separate ways as I can not get it to stop happening.

I have always said that it needs to be done traditionally but she didn’t want it done this way(not sure why), but now she has agreed to it I want to double the price from £35 to £70 is this taking the P%#@. ??

Takes me 30mins on the pole and probably 50mins by hand but it’s a pig of a job.

Cheers guys for your input.

It can't be ALL the windows! If it's the odd ground floor window just blade it after wfp. Problem solved!

Invariably it's due to these 5 things

1.Dodgy rubber seals
2.Oxidised/dirty top frames
3.Inaccurate rinsing
4.Dirty top vents
5.Nearby workmen with stihl saw creating dust

Surely after all these years of experience you can get them right

 

[Skxawng]

I had a window that was like that. Impossible to prevent drip marks (pretty bad and noticeable ones). I ended up squeegeing just that one pane. Which was a pain.. Because it takes longer getting the stuff out of the van and half the time when I was collecting I'd still find dirty drips that came down later on after I left anyway. Bad seal.
Eventually I had a chat with them and explained that I wasn't able to get that one pane perfect and would they accept it as is or should I stop cleaning them? They said carry on.
So after that I just cleaned it normally and the customer accepted that there would be a few drip marks.

 

[Den]

Hasps similar a couple of years back the kitchen window in question corroded pointing-in which looked like crazing paving above don’t know the right terminology but that’s what it looks like.
Done everytime it rained or obviously the water cascading/dripping from window above.
They had it sorted once I pointed out.

 

[dave1]

If they can't take the hint and you can't say no. Just make do. Their obviously not that bothered

 

[Jaydin92]

It can't be ALL the windows! If it's the odd ground floor window just blade it after wfp. Problem solved!

Invariably it's due to these 5 things

1.Dodgy rubber seals
2.Oxidised/dirty top frames
3.Inaccurate rinsing
4.Dirty top vents
5.Nearby workmen with stihl saw creating dust

Surely after all these years of experience you can get them right

No rubber seals, brand new windows so no dirty top frames, inaccurate rinsing cannot be as I have changed the way I rinse numerous times on this job, no vents no workmen.

it’s got nothing to do with anything like this I feel it’s to do with the paint work.

 

[Jaydin92]

I had a window that was like that. Impossible to prevent drip marks (pretty bad and noticeable ones). I ended up squeegeing just that one pane. Which was a pain.. Because it takes longer getting the stuff out of the van and half the time when I was collecting I'd still find dirty drips that came down later on after I left anyway. Bad seal.
Eventually I had a chat with them and explained that I wasn't able to get that one pane perfect and would they accept it as is or should I stop cleaning them? They said carry on.
So after that I just cleaned it normally and the customer accepted that there would be a few drip marks.

Yeah she seems not to be bothered about calling me back it’s just a ball ache having to go back every time.

 

[Jaydin92]

If they can't take the hint and you can't say no. Just make do. Their obviously not that bothered

No she isn’t bothered I just hate having to go back every time, but I will probably just try and get her to have it done by ladders but she don’t seem at all keen.

 

[Jaydin92]

Based on this I'd drop her, and just tell her because of the ongoing issue her house is a job that you can no longer clean, at the end of the day it's your business, let someone else have the headache

Yeah thanks for your input

 

[ched999uk]

No she isn’t bothered I just hate having to go back every time, but I will probably just try and get her to have it done by ladders but she don’t seem at all keen.

To be honest mate, why would she be keen to pay twice the price when she can just message you and get you to come back.
Could you do her windows as your first job then call back at the end of the day to go over them again?
If you can't get them to an acceptable standard I would be inclined to tell her that you can't clean them anymore. Sounds like you have tried your best and there is just something weird about the windows.

 

[spruce]

We have found the most issues are with windows that have 2 or 3 openers above a single large lower pane of glass.

If I'm asked to quote a new clean with those windows, a expect problems so quote a higher price.

When all the windows are replaced with the same design, the problem is still there. We live on the North Sea coast and have to deal with salt sea air and spray which means we have to rinse well with each clean.

If you clean the frame above the openers, then rinse water is always going to slowly find it's way around the openers and drip down the lower pane of glass. This can go on for a long time after you have cleaned the house.

Old windows usually have poor seals. Rinse water will get behind those seals, get into the frame and drip out with any dirt it's collected along the way from inside the frame.

We do those troublesome houses first and check back later, usually at the end of the day, and rectify any steaks. This is why you charge extra.

Many years ago a local cleaner dropped all the houses he had on his round with troublesome windows.

Our own front lounge window is also a problem. The previous owners bought cheap windows. The white frames oxidize in the sun and no matter how much I scrub and rinse the top frame, oxidised residue in the rinse water cause rows of white spots down the glass. If I rub my finger along the frame I get a white chalky residue on my finger. The dining room window at the back of the house doesn't get the morning sun and it's fine.

 

[dazmond]

No rubber seals, brand new windows so no dirty top frames, inaccurate rinsing cannot be as I have changed the way I rinse numerous times on this job, no vents no workmen.

it’s got nothing to do with anything like this I feel it’s to do with the paint work.

Personally I would drop the job. I couldn't be arsed going back to re clean every time.

And I certainly wouldn't be getting ladders out to do the job trad...

Who runs your business?you or the customer?