How
do I count my windows for a phone estimate?
For Standard Windows with no French style dividers (Regular plate glass):
Look at each opening in the wall as one window if it has 1 stationary
pane of glass or 2 panes (one stationary and one moveable). If you have
an opening that has 3 or 4 panes, a sliding glass door, or an extremely
large window (larger than 4’ x 4’) count them as 1½ windows
each.
For French Style Windows:
Look at each opening in the wall as a set of windows. Count the number
of panes in each set. Count the total number of sets and the number
of panes in each set. For instance- “I have 25 sets of French windows,
10 have 10 panes, 5 have 8 panes, and 10 have 12 panes.”
For French style windows with snap in grids or grids attached to
the glass surface:
Count these windows at 1½ windows for each opening. If they are
larger than 4’ x 4’ count them as 2 windows for each opening.
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What are “true
divided” French Windows?
French or French Style windows
are those windows that are divided into small panes of glass. Some French
windows are “true divided” which means that each pane is divided
by a piece of wood or metal molding.
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What are French
windows with snap- in or attached grids?
Snap in grids are just that-grids that
snap in and out of the window frame when it’s time to clean your
windows. These grids are used to make a standard window look like a
French window.
Attached grids are grids that are attached on the inside, outside
or on both of the glass surfaces, not between. These types windows are
more labor intensive to clean than standard windows.
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How much do you
charge?
It is nearly impossible to put a set price on any given window cleaning
job. We do all types of windows everywhere in Southern California. There
are endless combinations of window types on houses and buildings. It
is usually best to give us a call with information about your property
so we can provide you with a rough estimate over the phone. If you need
a more exact estimate, we will need to come out and take a look.
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Can
you clean my mirrors?
Yes-we can clean your mirrors. Be
sure to let us know how many mirrors you need cleaned when you call
to schedule service.
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Can
you clean my sky lights?
We can clean
your skylights provided they are in good condition. Many skylights are
made from a plastic material that can cloud, crack or deteriorate over
time.
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Can
you clean stained glass?
We can clean your stained glass provided it is made with glass that
is imbedded with color, and as long as the lead which supports the glass
has good integrity. If the color is only on the surface of the glass,
cleaning it may remove the color as it is not embedded in the glass
itself.
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Do
you charge more for cleaning high windows?
If the windows are accessible from the inside of your two-story home,
the price to clean them is usually not affected. If you have difficult
or hard to reach windows, we will need to use specialized equipment
to reach your them and the cost will be more than for standard windows.
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What
about the plants below my windows?
Anything that affects our access to a window comes under consideration
in
preparing an accurate estimate. Trees and their branches may block our
ladders and hence our access to upper windows. Large rhododendrons or
other bushes and hedges may also require minimal pruning to allow adequate
access. We will treat your plant life the same as we would treat ours,
with care.
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What
is that white stuff on my windows?
That white stuff is most likely water stains. The most common source
of water stains or mineral deposits is tap or well water being allowed
to dry on a window. Sprinklers can cause this damage but it can also
happen from hosing off the widows. Dissolved minerals bond into glass
causing perceivable damage. There are basically 3 levels of damage:
Light damage - If not from frequent exposure, this
can most of the time be removed with special solutions. There is a moderate
 charge for
this service.
Medium damage - Spots are thicker and closer together.
This is difficult and sometimes impossible to remove
Heavy damage - This one is "toast" as they
say. If it is layer over layer of minerals being deposited over a long
period of time, the glass
will need to be replaced.
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Why
do my dual glazed windows have a permanent haze on them?
If I you have determined it is not water damage on the outside of the
glass, it is most likely a blown seal. This condition is found only
with thermal pane or dual glazed windows (not single pane or storm windows).
When two pieces of glass are sealed together at the factory, an inert
gas (usually argon) fills the void between the two plates. Over time
this seal may no longer function and the regular air may fill this area.
With the air comes moisture and eventually, heating and cooling causes
this moisture to collect on the in between surfaces of the thermal pane.
Over time, this moisture worsens from a light fog to heavy droplets
and becomes more and more visually objectionable. Occasionally people
expect us to be able to solve this dilemma, but of course we cannot.
The windows must be replaced to correct the problem. If your windows
are less than a few years old, check out the warranty that the window
company supplied when you bought them.
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What
are storm windows?
Storm windows are rarely seen in Southern California however, they do
exist here.
A storm window is actually two sets of windows. This means there are
twice as many surfaces to clean. In addition, they must be pulled apart
to clean the in between surfaces adding considerably to the time involved
in providing top quality service.
Sometimes storm windows are confused with thermal pane windows which
are described as two pieces of glass sealed at the factory with an inert
gas in between.
Some storm windows pull off to the inside and some to the outside. On
many older homes with wood windows and metal storm windows on the outside,
the storm windows must be pulled to the inside, and the wood primary
windows have to open fully (they cannot be painted shut).
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Why
should I have my rain gutters cleaned?
Rain gutter cleaning is a necessary part of regular home maintenance.
Clogged gutters and/or downspouts can cause rain water to overflow and
contribute to deterioration and flooding. If you have trees on your
property, it's a good idea to have us check the status of your rain
gutters at least once per year, especially during the fall and winter
months.
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Do
people actually wash their houses?
Yes, they do! We have been cleaning the exterior stucco and eaves of
our client's homes for years. We can use a pressure washer on your home
provided the paint and/or stucco are in good shape. We can schedule
your next pressure wash on the same day as your next window cleaning
service.
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Will
I save money by having only the outside of my windows cleaned?
Yes, you will save a little money. The cost to clean the windows outside
only is less than having both the inside and out cleaned, however, it
is approximately ¾ of the cost of inside & out.
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I
just did a remodel and those painters left my windows a mess!
Most reputable painting companies will take care to clean up any obvious
paint left on your windows. In the event there is excessive paint or
over spray left on the glass, we can clean it up for you. The cost varies
according to the labor involved.
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Can
you remove the tint from my windows?
Generally, we can remove the tint for a moderate additional fee. However,
when the window tint has been on the glass for many years, it becomes
very brittle, the job becomes much more labor intensive, and the tint
can then be quite costly to remove.
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