Window Cleaning near you

A standard job covers both faces of each pane. Ask what else is included, since screens, tracks and interior work are sometimes quoted separately.

A fall from a ladder can cause serious injury, and window cleaning stacks the risks: leaning sideways to reach the far corner, wet rungs, a ladder footed on soft lawn, a sloped deck or icy ground, and hands busy with a squeegee instead of holding on.

Professionals manage those risks with equipment and training: water-fed poles that clean upper windows from the ground, ladder stabilizers and levellers, fall protection where the work calls for it, and lifts for tall or awkward glass. They also keep ladders and metal poles well clear of the overhead electrical line that feeds the house.

Hard water spots are mineral deposits left behind when water evaporates on the glass. The usual culprits are lawn sprinklers aimed at the house, runoff from brick, stone or concrete above a window, and well water used for washing. Fresh spots come off with a normal cleaning; deposits left for a long time can etch the surface, and etched glass can be improved but not always restored.

A pro uses a mineral remover suited to the glass and tests it first, since acidic products can harm metal trim, some glass coatings and nearby stone. Adjusting sprinklers so they don't reach the windows prevents most new spots. If you clean between visits, keep products apart: Health Canada warns that bleach mixed with ammonia-based glass cleaners or with acids releases toxic gases.

Because a window cleaner handles every sash and screen, a wash is a good moment for a quick inspection. Ask the cleaner to point out anything unusual. A failed seal or a rotting frame usually means the glass unit or the whole window needs replacing, and a window replacement contractor can tell you which before the damage spreads to the wall around it.

Canadian weather sets the rhythm: winter leaves a film of road salt and grime, spring and early summer bring pollen and tree seeds, and freezing temperatures limit outdoor work.

Window cleaning happens close to things that break: glass, screens, blinds, flower beds, siding and the roof edge. Before work starts, ask for proof of liability insurance that covers damage to your property, and ask whether the workers are covered by your province's workplace injury insurance, so there's no question about who pays if someone falls on your property. A written list of what's included, such as screens, tracks and interior panes, avoids disputes afterwards.

Ask too how the company handles scratches. Tempered glass, used in patio doors and many large panes, can scratch when a razor scraper catches particles left in the glass during manufacturing, so careful cleaners limit blades on it or ask first. Note any existing scratches or cracks together before the job begins.