Monday, November 28, 2011

Natural H2o Window Washing

Natural H2o Window Washing

Employing opposite osmosis and also deionisation engineering, plain tap water will be purified taking away all traces regarding wiped out mineral deposits and also impurities. This specific drinking water is transported throughout big vehicle attached aquariums and after that motivated upwards telescopic posts together with brush brains at the end. Grime is actually clean from the structures, cup and also sills, then the windowpane is actually rinsed as well as left in order to dried up normally. Because the h2o will be pure the idea dries out with no making any kind of scars. Forget about soiled drinking water or even linen which were used on other homes, additionally giving the client along with clients far more privacy and much less dysfunction even though fitness center there work place There are several benefits to applying this program for having your home windows cleaned:

Cleans structures along with sills concurrently whenever – precisely why would you pay for only the wine glass to become cleaned out?
Grows to height and aspects that a ladder cannot. All your windows get cleaned out also earlier mentioned your current conservatory as well as file format.
no longer missing out on windows as well as going for walks on your low level top floor tiles!
Wipes leaded as well as Georgian design glass windows easily : those with these types of styles of windowpane usually see that it is hard to get a window cleaning .
Forget about walking about flower mattresses gain access to ground floor windows.
Absolutely no problems for your window ledges or even lawn via step ladder make use of.
There aren’t any chemicals, just pure drinking water making it environmentally friendly & safe.
Glass windows remain cleaner more time nevertheless there is absolutely no soapy remains still left around the wine glass.
Protection

The Health & Basic safety Commission provides introduced that the brand-new Operating & Peak Rules June 2006 (S.We.August 2005 No 735) grew to be legislation on Apr 6 2005. which boundaries using steps because momentary workstations. The law now states that will step ladders is only able to be utilized any time just about all workable choices are actually regarded, waterfed post techniques are noticed as a safer practical option and now we don’t wish to be held prone to criminal prosecution pertaining to injuries to be able to staff and clients. I’m certain you would consent that the elevated aspects additionally a huge advantage.

Much better cleanup outcomes

The most important advantage of real water is actually its desire to go back to the impure point out; consequently the ability to digest considerable amounts regarding dust from a house windows. All of us make use of pure h2o because it’s a lot more hostile compared to unclean regular faucet water it is therefore far better towards grime about the cup area. A word involving forewarning this process requires combing the house windows clean using pure h2o. As a result they’ll be left wet and definately will require time for it to dry obviously. Insect activity . little bit upsetting in the beginning, because certainly this is not whatever you enables you to. Normally, depending on the problem involving goblet along with structures the windowpane usually takes 2-3 wipes (which is to be completed on your initial visit) for the course of action in order to ‘leach’ almost all deposits via across the frame, causing a greater finish each and every time, until eventually the final can effectively be 100% spotless along with clean and sterile.

Source: http://www.alaime.org/2011/11/natural-h2o-window-washing/

Learn All About Window Cleaning Equipment

November 26, 2011 | Author: Mike Thornton | Posted in Small Business

Whether you are a professional window cleaner or just have to clean your own windows at home, you know the importance of good window cleaning equipment. If you buy quality products then you will be able to clean efficiently and do quality work. After buying equipment for twenty years for my husband and our eight window cleaning employees, I can tell you the best equipment to get. You may be in for some surprises when it comes to what you need.

Buckets: Window cleaners may use standard 5 gallon buckets or special rectangular ones. While it is largely a matter of personal preference here, the rectangular buckets offer an ergonomic handle, better balance of the water and accommodate long squeegees better. If you have back problems, switch hands each time you pick up the bucket to even the pull on your back. A bucket on a belt offers a more even pull by clipping to the belt. It holds enough water for a single window and is easily transported.

Sponge or Wetter: To clean the window, you must spread the cleaning solution onto the window. Natural sea sponges have a long history of use and are good for tight corners and crevices. Some cleaners prefer the synthetic yellow sponges and others may prefer a fabric wetter. The wetter can be attached to the end of a pole and is ideal for large glass surfaces.

Lint-free towels: Professionals choose lint free towels. These include cloth diapers, chamois, or huck towels. Huck towels are the blue towels that doctors use on their instrument trays during surgery. Once used they are sanitized and recycled for use in cleaning. Lint free towels must be washed and dried separate from other clothes or they will pick up lint.

Squeegee: This is a very important tool, so you want to make sure that you purchase a quality Ettore squeegee from a professional cleaning supply company and not a hardware store. Sorry to say, that you can not be cheap on this important product. You will be glad that you paid the extra money for a good squeegee in the end. You can buy many sizes to suit all of your needs. The bigger they are, the harder they are to use though.

Rubber Blades, aka rubbers, (don’t laugh, they are really called rubbers): These funny nicknamed products are the blade for the squeegee. Good window cleaners will change their rubbers at least once a day.

I hope that these tips will help you. Enjoy cleaning!

Source: http://articlesentinel.com/business/small-business/learn-all-about-window-cleaning-equipment

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

SEAL SKINZ

SEAL SKINZ CHILL BLOCKER WATERPROOF GLOVES MEDIUM
[M105]
$39.95
SEAL SKINZ CHILL BLOCKER WATERPROOF GLOVES MEDIUM
SEAL SKINZ ChillBlocker™ Gloves MEDIUM

Wrist-high waterproof glove is insulated with a liner made of expedition-weight double velour Polartec® Power Stretch™ fleece (7.3 oz. Per square yard). The outside layer is knit of nylon/lycra® spandex offering a durable, flexible, stretch covering. The palms are covered with a gripping pattern of unique abrasion resistant dots. In between the two fabric layers is our waterproof MVT membrane. These three layers are securely bonded together throughout. This combination of materials provides a very soft, comfy, warm, stretch-to-fit glove suitable for a whole host of cold, wet, nasty outdoor conditions. Whether you are hunting, ice fishing, skiing, boating, and military service– try our New SealSkinz® ChillBlocker™ Gloves.

POLARTEC ® is a registered trademark of Malden Mills, Ind. Inc., Lawrence, Massachusetts, Lycra ® is a registered trademark of the Du Pont Company.

With full dexterity and gripper dots for added gripping power. These Gloves are made to be slightly larger than our regular SealSkinz® Glove for extreme cold conditions. If you prefer a snug fit, then order one glove size smaller than usual in ChillBlocker™ Gloves.

Available in Black

Advanced Waterproof Protection SealSkinz® socks have a patented fabric structure of three highly engineered layers including a membrane capable of allowing perspiration to escape while not allowing water to penetrate. Each sock is high-pressure tested to make sure there are no leaks, plus SealSkinz® seamless design provides the ultimate action, performance and comfort.

Care Hand-wash and drip-dry for the greatest longevity. Do not twist or wring. Or machine wash on low temperature and tumble-dry on low.

SEALSKINZ WATER BLOCKER SOCKS SMALL
[M178]
$32.95
SEALSKINZ WATER BLOCKER SOCKS SMALL
SEALSKINZ WATER BLOCKER SOCKS SMALL
An in-cuff seal* blocks water from entering over the top of the sock, even when wading through deep water. This sock is fully water immersible!
Available in Black.
Advanced Waterproof Protection
SealSkinz®
socks have a patented fabric structure of three highly engineered layers including a membrane capable of allowing perspiration to escape while not allowing water to penetrate. Each sock is high-pressure tested to make sure there are no leaks.
Care
Hand-wash and drip-dry for the greatest longevity. Do not twist or wring. Or machine wash on low temperature and tumble-dry on low. When machine drying, reverse socks halfway through.

 
Have questions about this product, another product, or just need to place an order, please give us a call at 206-624-1636 or go to www.windows101.com

Friday, November 18, 2011

Investigators: A Window Washer's World

Investigators Window Washing 13_20111109145447_JPG

Green Window Cleaning Services owner Jeff Scott and reporter Trish Van Pilsum descend a 15-story condo building in Madison, Wis.




Investigators: A Window Washer's World: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com


Updated: Thursday, 10 Nov 2011, 11:22 AM CST
Published : Wednesday, 09 Nov 2011, 7:13 PM CST

The center of the city shines only because there are a few workers who will brave any height to keep it that way. There are only about 100 high rise window washers in the Twin Cities area, but four have died since 2007.

IMAGE GALLERY: A Window Washer's World

Julie Jennings' son, Jake, is one of those who died in March of 2009. He was working at the Normandale Lakes Office Park in Bloomington and fell after the line tying him to the building he was cleaning slipped from its anchor. Julie feels that her son should have been better trained. She fears for other window washers who are just starting their careers and doesn't want any other famliy to go through what she has in the last two years. " It is the worst thing in the world. I will never get over it," said Julie.


The other 3 fatal accidents:

Dec. 2007: Fidel Sanchez-Flores fell to his death while cleaning ice from the top of the IDS Crystal Court in Minneapolis.

Sept. 2009: Bryan Prairie, 24, fell from a roof at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park.

June 2011: Ryan Shannon, 25, died after falling from Knollwood Place Apartments in St. Louis Park.



"A hundred people and four deaths in four years -- it is an insane number," said Javier Morillo-Alicea, President of SEIU Local 26. "If you applied that to any other industry it would be a scandal."

Minnesota OSHA increased the number of inspections on Oct. 1, 2010 due to the deaths. The checks have turned up potentially deadly hazards including:

  • Tie backs not being securely fastened to outrigger beams
  • Inadequate anchorage systems
  • Counterweights not of sufficient weight
  • Washer not protected by a safety belt

Window Washer Safety Culture in Twin Cities

According to the International Window Cleaning Association, Minnesota has had the highest rate of window washing accidents in the United States since 2007.

This fall, the IWCA came to the Twin Cities, hoping to educate fellow washers on safety issues -- but the safety conference was poorly attended. The FOX 9 Investigators called several of the companies that didn't show up. They said they either didn't know about it or were too busy to attend.

When asked about training, several window washers told the FOX 9 Investigators they were either trained for only a short amount of time or just had on-the-job training when they began their careers.


Going Over the Wall

FOX 9 Investigator, Trish Van Pilsum wanted to draw attention to the issue of safety, so she found out what it is like to go over the wall -- the parapet wall that is.

Jeff Scott, owner of Green Window Cleaning in Madison, Wis., agreed to help Trish experience what window washers go through on a daily basis. He did not train her as he would the cleaners that work for him because that would have taken months of lessons and testing. Instead, he prepared her to repel down the side of a 15-story building in Madison with no cleaning duties. No safety measure was spared. She used a bosun's chair, work line and safety line.

A day in the life of a window washer

A day in the life of a window washer

Erick Soulard weilds normal brushes and soap as he hangs off the sides of buildings to wash the windows.

Erick Soulard weilds normal brushes and soap as he hangs off the sides of buildings to wash the windows.

Updated: Thu Nov. 17 2011 3:54:12 PM

ctvottawa.ca

If you're interested in a job as a window washer, it helps to get used to climbing things.

For example, Erick Soulard said he was always climbing trees as a kid.

"Now, I like to climb windows and sides of buildings to get my job done," he said.

Armed with Sunlight soap and a normal scrub brush, Soulard said he works from either a platform (called a stage) or a harness called a bosun's chair.

He and his brother Rob are the third generation of Soulards to do the job.

"My dad showed me . . . how to clean a window back then and I knew what I wanted to be – a window cleaner," said Erick, who said he had wanted to do this since he was six. "I just love it."

The tallest building Erick has worked on was 35 storeys, but he said one of his scariest encounters had nothing to do with the building he was working on – he was attacked by a Peregrine falcon.

"It was actually in its nest and got off the nest, swooped back at me," he said. "It had the babies and basically just kept swooping until I got off the top of the building."

The job of a window washer can also hold surprises of another kind – what's going on behind the windows you scrub.

"Unfortunately, I can't share what I see through the windows," he said. "That's for me to know and you to find out!"

Source: http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111117/OTT-day-life-window-washer-111117/20111117/?hub=OttawaHome

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

GUTTER CLEANER HEAVY DUTY 5 PACK SAVE 20%


GUTTER CLEANER HEAVY DUTY 5 PACK SAVE 20%


Regular price: 49.75

Now only 39.95!


Clean your gutters the easy way, pulling debris back toward you. Makes removal a breeze It's so easy to use. Simply attach to any threaded pole and you're ready to go The remarkable "Gutter Cleaner" can reach behind shrubs, trees, carports, and other obstructions You can even clean your roof valleys from the gutter line "The Gutter Cleaner" will save you time and effort and you can easily clean 15 feet of gutter with one ladder setting. Fits all standard poles.

Have questions about this product, another product, or just need to place an order, please give us a call at 206-624-1636 or go to www.windows101.com

Friday, November 4, 2011

For work they risk their lives

OBLIVIOUS to the heavy rain, a man in a leather jacket stood just beyond the police cordon, gazing intently. Before him lay the bodies of two window cleaners who fell to their deaths yesterday in Changning District.

Occasionally, he spoke quietly to onlookers who were speculating about what had happened.

"For their work they risked their lives," sighed the man, surnamed Zhao, who should know as he has worked in the same dangerous trade.

Zhao, a passer-by, said he had been a high-rise window cleaner for six years but quit. "There are two things you need for that job; one is a license and the other is guts."

More than 1,000 window cleaners - a trade known as a SpiderMan - work on high-rises across the city, risking their lives on a daily basis, separated from death only by their securing ropes.

And increasingly, they are threatened by a lack of supervision on equipment checks and poor safety awareness, warned a local exterior wall cleaning industry committee.

An official, surnamed Wu, said many cleaning service companies don't check equipment regularly, meaning a SpiderMan may have to rely on aged or damaged ropes and tools.

For though the industry committee requires companies to check equipment, the absence of a supervising facility means regulations are often ignored, said Wu.

"The life of a cleaner depends on the rope that holds him," said Wu, "But there are no laws forcing companies to ensure equipment is safe."

Moreover, some workers do not even hold operation licenses, which need to be renewed annually after exams.

Zhao said the job is usually taken by migrant workers who shift jobs frequently, some working for several companies at one time.

"To save money, some companies only get one or two licenses but hire many workers," he explained.

To make matters worse, fierce competition among small cleaning companies is driving them to cut costs as much as possible, impacting on equipment checks and training, said Wu.

And when accidents happen, some cleaners are not covered by insurance, as their employers haven't bought any, he added.

Zhao, from Jiangsu Province, said in his time as a window cleaner he saw several injuries among colleagues who fell but were saved by safety locks.

And despite the dangers they face, high-rise window cleaners are poorly rewarded.

"Often, I didn't know where my next meal was coming from," said Zhao, who said workers receive about 150 yuan to 200 yuan for a day's work. "However, sometimes we waited for one month between jobs."

Zhao said many men from his hometown come to Shanghai to work in the trade.

Taking a final look at the bodies, covered by white sheets, Zhao walked away from the crowd as the rain got heavier. "Too bad for them," he said as he left.

Source:Shanghai Daily

Two window cleaners in fatal fall linked to each other by safety harness?

Two window cleaners in fatal fall linked to each other by safety harness?

The two window cleaners who plunged to their deaths from the 22nd storey of the the Pacific Business Center on Yan'an Road yesterday could have been linked to each other by a safety harness. (We're not reposting the images here. Click here if you absolutely must see them.)

Zha Minjie of Shanghai Daily reports:

According to witnesses, one worker began to fall after his support rope snapped, taking with him a colleague he was linked to by a safety rope.

"If it's true, then it was against all the rules, as workers should not be linked together," said a former window cleaner, surnamed Zhao, who worked in the business for six years.

Zhao said each two-man team should be equipped with three ropes, with both workers hooking onto the middle one by a device called a latching lock, in addition to having their own safety ropes.

"The lock will hold the workers even if one rope breaks," said Zhao.

"They would just hang in the air instead of crashing to the ground."

Source: http://shanghaiist.com/2011/11/04/two_window_cleaners_in_fatal_fall_l.php

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Window cleaners die in 22-story fall

TWO window cleaners working 22 floors up a high-rise plunged to their deaths yesterday, after a safety rope appeared to snap.

The accident happened in heavy rain around 1:40pm at the Pacific Center at the crossing of Yan'an and Jiangsu roads in downtown Changing District.

Afterward, a rope that had secured the window cleaners could be seen, apparently snapped, hanging from the exterior of the building.

Witnesses say they heard loud crashes and when they looked round they saw the two men lying on the ground.

"I heard a bang as I was preparing to go out," said a resident living next to the office complex.

The workers fell from the 22nd floor while cleaning the exterior glass, police said.

A car parked beneath the office building was damaged in the fall.

The men were pronounced dead at the scene, their safety helmets, gloves and buckets scattered around their bodies.

The bodies were not removed until around 4pm, as the police took photographs of the scene.

Four workers had been cleaning the exterior glass on the 26-story building at the time of the incident, said witnesses.

every four months.

The building's property management department said the team was hired to clean the exterior

According to witnesses, one worker began to fall after his support rope snapped, taking with him a colleague he was linked to by a safety rope.

"If it's true, then it was against all the rules, as workers should not be linked together," said a former window cleaner, surnamed Zhao, who worked in the business for six years.

Zhao said each two-man team should be equipped with three ropes, with both workers hooking onto the middle one by a device called a latching lock, in addition to having their own safety ropes.

"The lock will hold the workers even if one rope breaks," said Zhao.

"They would just hang in the air instead of crashing to the ground."

City work safety authorities said late yesterday that they were still investigating.

Source: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=486591&type=Metro

Dramatic Rescue Saves SF Window Washers

SAN FRANCISCO —

Two window washers were rescued from a high-rise in San Francisco's Mission Bay neighborhood Thursday morning after the scaffolding they were on gave way, a fire department spokeswoman said.

Firefighters were called to the 17-story residential building at 310 Berry St. near Fifth Street at about 8:35 a.m., San Francisco fire spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said.

It appears that the ropes on one side of the scaffolding had given way, Talmadge said.

Crews found the two workers hanging by their harnesses from the scaffolding -- which was practically vertical -- one near the bottom of the scaffolding and another near the top.

Rescuers were able to pull the worker near the top to the roof, she said. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to San Francisco General Hospital.

A ladder was set up to try to reach the second worker, but it was too short, so firefighters went into the 14th floor of the building and pulled the worker inside at about 9 a.m., Talmadge said. He was not seriously injured.

She did not know whether the scaffolding collapsed due to worker error or an equipment malfunction. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is responding to investigate.

Talmadge said the harnesses the workers were wearing prevented them from falling.

"They have them for a reason," she said.

Rodney Blanchard, a worker with AT&T who was installing fiber optic cable nearby, caught the incident on video on his cellphone.

He said that despite hanging in the air, the workers seemed "pretty calm."

Source: http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/dramatic-rescue-saves-sf-window-washers/nDTHN/

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Windows & more

WindowGenie

Window Genie offers services that include window cleaning, tinting, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, concrete and paver sealing, in addition to light fixture cleaning. Burrows proudly stated, "Estimates are always free and most customers are pleasantly surprised by the price.

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Jeff Burrows is not too proud to admit he does windows.

He scrapes them free of imbedded grime and uses environmentally friendly cleaners to remove the loose dirt. He'll even install different kinds of window film, pressure wash your driveway or sidewalk, clean your gutters and seal your brick pavers. And he does it with a colorful smile as bright as his purple polo shirt, embroidered with the Window Genie logo.

These services, among others, are just a small part of what Burrow's company does as it finds its niche in Hernando County. "We clean windows and a whole lot more," he said, quoting his company's tag line. His webpage itemizes the other services they perform.

Burrows and his wife, Nicole, opened Window Genie in March after doing extensive research into lucrative franchises. They wanted to start their own business and purchasing a franchise seemed their best option.

"We worked with a franchise coach," Burrows explained, who helped the couple weed through businesses that had formidable foundations. The Window Genie concept captured their interest.

The first of its kind in Hernando County, Window Genie boasts services many homeowners are willing to invest in, even during tough times. "No one likes to wash windows," Burrows said with a laugh.

A professional window cleaning isn't a small job. "We start with professional tools and use a commercial grade cleaner," Burrows explained. "It's not Windex and paper towels." The exterior windows are first scraped with a tool called a triumph blade that is designed specifically to protect the glass from scratching. "It removes the dirt and film that has built up over time," he explained. Interior windows are not scraped, however. "We don't want to ruin any existing window film."

Installing film is another typical request. "Solar film is the main need here in Florida," Burrows said, to block the heat and glare and protects against fading. They also install security and safety films.

Although windows are a big part of Window Genie, the company has expanded its services to include other maintenance jobs that home and business owners are often willing to hire out. These fundamental services go along with protecting an owner's costly investment.

Physical safety is a big factor, Burrows explained. Climbing on ladders can be dangerous. Window Genie technicians are trained in safety awareness practices. The company is also bonded and insured, giving home and business owners a sense of security. "All my guys are bonded as well," Burrows added.

Although the business is relatively new to the county, the Window Genie Corporation has been around since 1994. Burrows said there are some 45 franchise locations across the United States and at least six in the state of Florida. The Pasco location has been operating for three years.

That was a big reason the Burrows decided it was a concept they could build upon. Backed by an impressive history, a strategic marketing campaign that includes a professional website with individual web pages for each location, and a following of happy, repeat customers, the Burrows were confident a strong foundation was already set. Their job was to establish their own sturdy platform, under the company umbrella, in Hernando County.

"We are a locally owned and operated company with the backing of a national franchise," he said. "It's the best of all worlds."

In just eight months, Window Genie has built a solid repeat and referral base within the county, anchored from the quality of their work and the reliability factor that often drives customers to grant their loyalty.

Maureen Bailey, who lives in the Heather, hired Window Genie to clean the vinyl windows in her Florida room. "They hadn't been cleaned in years," she said. The technician who came out was very thorough. He uncovered a small window, near a sprinkler head, that was exposed to water almost continuously for years. "He wasn't sure he could get it clean," she remembered. "But it was a lot better when he got done."

Bailey was so impressed with Window Genie that she had the technician clean all the windows in her home

Window Genie is completely mobile, bringing the technicians to the customer. "Our business comes to you," Burrows said. They are difficult to miss, pulling up in the "Genie Mobile," with their colorful graphic logo across the exterior body of the SUV.

It starts with a free estimate that is typically scheduled within 24 hours. The job is then worked around the customer's convenience.

Burrows said most customers are surprised by the cost, which is typically less than they expect. And many times, a window cleaning has led to other services. "We mold our services to our customers," he said. "We have many happy customers."

Source: http://www2.hernandotoday.com/business/hernando-news/2011/nov/02/hanewso5-windows-amp-more-ar-299925/