WINDOW WASHING & CLEANING FAQS

Serving All of NYC, including Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn & Long Island

The Difference a Professional Window Washer Makes

While on the surface (pardon the pun), window cleaning may appear easy, it's actually a skill that is acquired with experience and knowledge about windows, glass, and more. When you hire a professional commercial or residential window washing service, such as Total Window Service in NYC, you can rest assured that your windows will be sparkling clean, free of dust, and free of streaks.

Window screens, sills, and other mesh require periodic cleaning as well. In addition, our window washing company also offers window films, glass restoration services, plus disinfecting and sanitation services. If you have any questions regarding our exceptional residential or commercial window cleaning service in NYC, reach out to your team today!

download (31)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WINDOW CLEANING SERVICES

  • How do you install a window AC on a double-hung tilt window?
  • How do you install child safety window guards on double-hung windows?
  • What should you do if, after cleaning your windows, they still look dirty?
  • How do you wash screens?
  • Should you clean exterior window sills?
  • What type of mesh (metal or plastic) should you choose for my window screen?

FAQs

This article was created to educate our clients on how to minimize their window cleaning expenses. We are going to discuss some of the most common reasons why window cleaning companies extra charge for washing your windows. If you don’t see your case on this list, you can always write us through the contact page. We will be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

How to install a window AC on a double hung tilt window without being charged extra.

If you planning to install an air conditioner for the summertime, the best advice for you will be – clean your window before you install your AC. Depending on the size and difficulty of your AC installation, you can save from $10 to $80 on that window if it’s clean. If this is not a case, and you are planning to install your ac permanently, then use a metal bar. This will help to keep the AC secure without screwing it to the bottom sash of your window. The metal bar is not attached to your bottom window, and both parts of the window sash can be tilted without removing the AC. In this case, window cleaners may not extra charge. If they will, you can always bring it up, and believe it or not, most window cleaning companies will lower their extra charge to a minimum. Just do simple math. Pay $100-$150 for a proper window AC installation, and save $20-50 on every other window cleaning service.

How to install child safety window guards on double-hung windows without being charged extra.

Very often, when it comes to estimating windows with child safety guards, window cleaners bring up some big numbers. If your windows could be charged $15 each without guards, then with guards, it can cost up to $25 each, depending on the type of guards you have and how they were installed. There is a law in NYC on how to properly install window guards (check this link for more info (http://www.Nyc.Gov/html/doh/html/environmental/win-faq.Shtml). It states that you need to use one-way screws for guards installation on double-hung windows. But guess what? After you install guards with one-way screws, you end up having dirty windows for the next 12 years. Of course, window cleaners came up with a solution. They usually offer to cut the screw head and unscrew it like a regular screw with a flat screwdriver. That is why you end up paying extra for removing and cutting the screw, and in the end, your child protection is held on with a regular screw that can be unscrewed with any flat screwdriver. We cannot advise you not to use one-way screws because it is a law that has been made for the protection of your kids. However, this kind of law makes people pay much more for frequent window cleaning maintenance. And, you can avoid those extra expenses by simply using Allen type screws (square or star), which require a special tool to be unscrewed.

If you want to save, try to think the way window cleaners think. It is a simple question. How much time will I spend unscrewing all eight to 12 screws? How much should I charge? The fewer screws window cleaners need to remove, the less we will charge for cleaning that window. Here some types of child gates that we recommend to all our clients. They are easy to install and easy to remove when it is time to clean the window. Http://www.Kidsafeinc.Com/window-guards/?Gclid=ciy89dxc2cycfqqqaqodl-mb-q. They might be expensive, but they look nice and modern, can be easily removed to access the window, and you install them until your kids are 12 years old. In the long run, you will save on annual window cleaning costs.

What should you do if, after cleaning your windows, they still look dirty?

There are two major problems that can really defect your windows – oxidation (hard water stains) and condensation. If oxidation has occurred, we can remove it by using acids or different chemicals. With condensation, the only way to deal is to replace defected unit. How much should you pay for that? Well, that is a question we should ask the window fixing expert. From our experience, a standard (3’ x 3’) size glass unit should cost anywhere from $100 – $150, depending on the glass type. But, different glass companies may charge different rates.

What is condensation? You can find more information on this link: http://uk.Saint-gobain-glass.Com/trade-customers/condensation-double-glazing

What is glass oxidation? You can find out more information  by reading this article http://www.Ritec.Co.Uk/cmsfiles/international_glass_review.Pdf

Now that you know what oxidation is, what can you do to prevent it? Let’s talk more about that. What causes oxidation in our real life? If you’re speaking about New York City, oxidation in its various forms exists almost on every window. However, some of it can be easily taken off, but others needs to be cleaned with harsh chemicals. That is usually the most expensive part. If standard-size, double-hung windows regular cleaning costs range from $15 – $20 per window, then removing oxidation may cost two to three times more. Luckily, we have some good advice for customers who have problems with oxidation on their windows. First, pay extra and clean your windows from oxidation. Then, try to clean it at least two times per year. This way, you most likely will pay only for regular window cleaning.

The most common reasons why windows get oxidation very fast are:

  • Screens with metal mesh. We know that it is more durable than plastic, but the reality is, sooner or later, you will get oxidation on your glass if you have metal mesh screens. If you want to save on window cleaning and have a nice view, try to avoid installing metal mesh screens.
  • Old rusty child guards. If you have one like that, exchange them for a new child guard or get rid of it if your kids are older than 12 years old.
  • Concrete or brick walls, concrete outside sills, metal rusty bars. Normally, there is nothing you can do about this kind of oxidation. Try to eliminate rain water leaks on the glass through rusty metal or concrete. These are the most common reasons for getting oxidation on glass.

How do we wash screens?

There are two types of screen cleaning. The first is regular screen cleaning — we clean with a washer, then wipe with rag without removing the screen from the window. Normally, it should cost $3-$5 per half-size screen and $5-$8 per full-size screen. The second type of cleaning we offer is to shower the screens or clean them with a hose outside, but it is usually more expensive. It may cost you anywhere from $8 – $10 per screen. Which method should you choose? If you clean your windows on regular basis — at least once a year — then regular cleaning is good enough for you. However, if you haven’t cleaned your windows for two to five years and your windows facing a busy street, then showering your screens would be the right thing to do. It will keep window cleaner for a longer time.

Should I clean exterior window sills?

Cleaning windowsills is important if you want to keep your windows clean for longer. All of the dust and dirt that settles on an exterior sill will drip on the glass with every rain drop. Normally, window cleaners wipe sills without an extra charge, but there are cases when exterior window sills have so much dirt on them that they just have to charge extra to clean them off, or they will not clean the sills at all. So, try to discuss with your window cleaner if cleaning the sills will be included in the window cleaning price, or if you want to save, try to keep your sills as clean as possible. Wiping your sills two times per year is usually enough.

What type of mesh (metal or plastic) should I choose for my window screen?

As we mentioned before, metal mesh screens can be a reason for oxidation developing on a window. It may lead to paying more for cleaning your windows. We are not saying that this happens in 100 percent of cases, but it happens very often. Metal screen gets rusty with time, and when rain water leaks on the glass though the screen mesh, it leaves microscopic debris on glass. Eventually, that debris mixes with dust and dirt, drying out on the glass and building up into oxidation. That is why we recommend installing plastic screens, which doesn’t cause oxidation and are easier to clean.

In conclusion, we discussed some of the most common reasons why people get extra charged for window cleaning in apartments and houses in New York City. We hope this article answered some of the most common questions that our clients may have. Try to follow these easy steps, and you will significantly save on your window cleaning cost. The Total Window Service team would like to wish you to always have a beautiful, clear view, and pay less. Contact us today!

GOT DIRTY WINDOWS? LOOKING FOR WINDOW TINTING COMPANY? OR YOUR WINDOWS GOT SCRATCHED?

Request a free online or on-site estimate today.

HOW DO YOU REQUEST AN ESTIMATE ONLINE?

If you are looking to get an accurate and fast estimate online, please send us pictures of your windows at our email info@totalserviceny.com and include your building’s exact address, so we can Google it to see what type of windows you have in order to provide you with a more accurate quote.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Would You Like To Receive Updates and Promotions Via Email?*
Please enter a number from 5 to 5.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.