Glass Protection Informational Bulletin For Pro' Window Cleaners

GANA, IWCA release joint informational bulletin: The Glass Association of North America, and the International Window Cleaning Association, released a joint Glass Informational Bulletin titled Construction Site Protection and Maintenance of Architectural Glass outlining the need for proper protection of architectural glass throughout the construction process to all general contractors and builders, according to a Nov. 15 release. This protection includes various recommendations and the need for open communication and full cooperation among the general contractor, professional window cleaner, and all trades involved.

"This document, the first from our organizations teaming up and working together, is a great resource for the construction industry," said GANA Technical Director Urmilla Sowell, in the release. "There are many integral recommendations and points contained within this document.  It also shows the commitment within GANA and IWCA to address an issue confronting many today by putting our best minds together to find solutions for the industry."

A key component of the document emphasizes the need to use professional window cleaners and not someone inexperienced in the post construction cleaning of glass. The use of unskilled non-professionals can be a detriment to completing the construction job in the best possible way.  Furthermore, the general contractor or builder may need to schedule periodic glass cleaning during extended construction schedules so that the potential for glass damage is reduced. Vital suggestions such as these provide real-world solutions to prevent costly issues later, including the potential for contentious litigation.

"This is a great document for the industry," said Debra Nemec, IWCA executive director, in the release. "This collaboration, as well as future joint efforts by our organizations, provides new potential in the industry to increase the quality output of glazing contractors and professional window cleaners.  At the end of the day, that outcome benefits everyone. We look forward to working together even further for the benefit of our members and our industry."

To download this document at no charge, visit the GANA TechCenter Web site or the IWCA Web site or read in full below. Pdf file here.

Construction Site Protection and Maintenance of Architectural Glass:
Steps Must Be Taken to Avoid Permanent Damage to Glass.

Architectural glass products used in windows, doors and skylights for today’s residential and commercial building projects are more sophisticated than those used in earlier fenestration applications. Performance requirements call for glass to be coated and used in an insulating glass unit in order to be more energy efficient; and often heat-treated and laminated to provide greater strength, safety, and security. As a result of increased performance capabilities, more high performance glass is being used in both residential and commercial construction. The higher valued products and their greater susceptibility to damage have increased the importance of proper site storage, handling, installation and protection throughout the construction process.

During glass manufacturing, fabrication and installation, products are carefully handled to prevent surface and edge damage. Materials are packaged to provide protection during shipment and delivery. Once finished materials are placed on a construction site, they become exposed to a variety of conditions and influences that can adversely affect product aesthetics and functionality. Irreparable glass damage can occur from improper storage and handling, exposure to chemicals and leaching agents, prolonged exposure to moisture, mechanical attack and breakage, damage related to adjacent construction activities and improper cleaning methods.

Site Delivery and Storage

Windows, doors and skylights for residential construction typically arrive on construction sites preglazed, while commercial construction applications often require glass be delivered to the site and glazed at a later date. In both types of construction, it is vital that materials be properly stored for the duration of the construction process. The complex nature of construction projects and site management requires well-planned and executed material delivery and storage. The following is a list of recommended practices that glazing subcontractors should observe for site delivery and storage of fenestration materials: - Consult glass and glazing system suppliers for specific recommendations on the site storage, handling, installation, and protection of their materials before any work is started.

• Coordinate glass deliveries, to the extent practical, to minimize on-site storage durations.
• Work with the general contractor or builder to select on-site under-roof storage locations that avoid direct rain and water runoff, work areas of other trades, and areas of high traffic and to minimize material movement and handling.
• Secure, block, and brace individual cases of glass and preglazed materials to prevent falls.
• Ensure blocks or supports keep the bottom edge of materials well above potential puddles of rainwater or other conditions that could cause damage.
• Provide secure, temporary covering that prevents direct water flow, but ensures ventilation and combats condensation buildup on the glass.
• Clearly mark storage areas of glass cases and preglazed materials using colored ribbons or tape.
• Ensure that glazing components held in storage are not subjected to deposits from concrete and masonry building materials or hard water spotting from various sources of tap water at the job site.
• Ensure that stored materials are not exposed to activities of other trades such as welding, painting, insulating, and fireproofing.
• Establish a program for daily inspection of stored glass and glazing systems to monitor conditions and ensure prompt corrective action when needed.
• Follow manufacturer’s guidelines when using temporary protection films.
• Do not allow protective films to remain on the surface beyond their useful life, as removal methods may damage certain types of glass and/or their coatings.
• Do not expose open packs of glass to direct sunlight as the insulating effects of the glass layers may increase the thermal stress in the glass and may result in glass breakage.

Trade Awareness:

As fenestration materials are delivered to a residential or commercial construction site, it is recommended that the glazing subcontractor and window cleaner contact the general contractor (in person and follow up in writing) to let him know how important it is that he make all construction trades aware of the potential for permanent damage and their level of responsibility in the event materials are subjected to harmful conditions. In the event of damage, prompt action is required to minimize damage.

Site Handling and Installation:

Glass and glazing system manufacturer’s recommendations for site handling and installation procedures should be followed. Residential and light commercial windows, doors, and skylights should be installed in accordance with ASTM International document E 2112 – Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights. Glass for commercial glazing applications should be handled and installed in accordance with guidelines set forth in the Glass Association of North America (GANA) Glazing Manual.

Post Installation Inspection and Protection:

After installation, special attention by all trades should be given to construction activities in order to prevent exposure of glass in windows, doors and skylights to weld splatter, paint, plaster, sealants, fireproofing, and alkali and chemical attack. The subcontractor, general contractor, or builder should inspect and document the condition of the glazed materials on a daily basis. At this stage of construction, the glazing subcontractor should request, in writing, that the general contractor or builder remind other construction trades of the potential for irreparable damage to the glazed materials and to implement systems and procedures for protection. The following is a list of common conditions and causes that damage glass after installation:

Condition: Glass surface corrosion often characterized by permanent iridescent or white haze surface staining

Cause: Glass got wet during storage due to reasons such as, but not limited to, being stored outside uncovered, or extended storage with inadequate ventilation and/or improper glass separation

Condition: Glass surface or edge damage

Cause: Inadequate on-site protection; ill-advised or vulnerable storage locations; exposure to other trades

Condition: Chemical attack, surface pitting and hard‐to‐clean deposits

Cause: Overspray and runoff of chemicals from sealing/cleaning of concrete, masonry, roofing, etc; inadequate protection and/or poor storage location

Condition: Weld-splatter surface damage and reduction in glass strength

Cause: Location of glass near welding; inadequate protection of stored or installed glass

Condition: Stubborn, tenacious surface deposits from concrete and masonry runoff, as well as hard water spotting

Cause: Poor storage and/or protection of uninstalled glass; absence of prompt, interim cleaning of installed glass during construction

Construction Clean-Up

If glass is exposed to harmful materials or conditions during construction, the general contractor or builder and the trade involved, if known, should be immediately advised by the glazing contractor of the potential damage. In the event that damage has already occurred, the glazing contractor and glass fabricator/supplier should be consulted to assess damage, take corrective actions, and mitigate the potential for future damage. Deep surface scratches, contact by hot weld-splatter and edge damage threaten the structural integrity of glass and may require glass replacement. Surface contact with harmful materials will require prompt cleaning by professional window cleaners, such as members of the International Window Cleaners Association (IWCA). If harmful exposure results in conditions that cannot be cleaned using typical glass cleaning procedures, a professional window cleaner should be consulted for recommendations on more aggressive glass cleaning procedures. The use of a more aggressive procedure may itself damage the glass. Careful thought and discussion must precede the use of aggressive cleaning procedures. The general contractor or builder may need to schedule periodic glass cleaning during the construction process. Extended construction schedules and site conditions often result in dirt and debris build-up. Professional cleaning at the initial signs of build-up can decrease the potential for glass damage.

Long-Term Building Maintenance & Performance:

Following the completion of the construction project and throughout the life of the building, windows, doors, and skylights should be properly cleaned. Building facades may be exposed to sealant rundown, pollutants, dirt and debris, which can attack and damage glass surfaces over time. Building maintenance schedules should include frequent cleaning to ensure long-term glass aesthetics and performance. Cleaning frequencies should be tailored to the individual characteristics inherent to these conditions as well as the severity of local environmental factors such as acid rain and atmospheric pollutants that vary from region to region. Building owners should ensure that individuals cleaning fenestration materials are well aware of the glazing products in the building and their unique properties and are knowledgeable about and capable of using proper cleaning procedures and practices recommended by the glazing manufacturer and the glass industry. Proper protection of glass in windows, doors, and skylights throughout the construction process and the life of a building are essential. Planning and execution of the practices described and recommended in this bulletin will enable the glass to meet the aesthetic and performance expectations and the needs of the building occupants. Consult the Tech Center section of the Glass Association of North America (GANA) website (www.glasswebsite.com) for additional Glass Informational Bulletins and flat glass industry reference resources.

Tips For Hiring Window Cleaning Pros

Tips for hiring pros to wash your windows, or doing it yourself: Window washing is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. The question is, do you hire a professional window washer? Or do you save money and tackle the task yourself, even if that means climbing up on countertops indoors and a ladder to reach high glass outdoors? Either way, squeaky-clean windows make your home look more appealing, and make you more content, so the accumulation of winter grime cannot be ignored.

If hiring a professional is on your spring to-do list, but you haven't yet lined up anyone, you'd better get going. Particularly if your windows are being cleaned for a special occasion such as a graduation party. Some window washers, especially those who have regular customers, might already be booked into June. "Spring is one of our busiest seasons," says Bill Mastro of New View Window & Gutter Cleaners in Newbury. (Fall is busy, too, he said.) "This time of year, don't wait until the last minute."

Says Ray Nicolli Jr. of Ray's Cleaning Service in Lyndhurst, "I have regulars, so it might be hard to get an appointment. I have clients whose windows I do twice a year, and some of their appointments [including those for fall] are already made." James Lee of Robin Window & Gutter Cleaning in Lakewood says sometimes he can take a job with only two days' notice if it's small job, but two weeks' notice is best. Prices depend on the company, and, of course, the number and size of the windows.

With Ray's Cleaning Service, an average bungalow with about 12 to 14 windows cleaned inside and out is about $100, says Nicolli. With storm windows (which most homes in this area have), the job would run you $175 to $250 because there is more glass to wash. Windows with wood dividers might cost a little more. With Robin Window, says Lee, a job that involves cleaning only the outside of windows runs $60 to $85, not including storms.

Some professionals don't require the job to involve every window in the house. Some are called on to clean only first-floor windows or just the outside. "I have gone to a customer's home and done just the picture window," says Mastro. "Others just want the windows in a great room washed or some other tall window."

Do-it-yourselfers will spend a lot less, but there is a technique for cleaning windows to a spotless, streak-free, professional-looking finish. Generally, you'll need a quality squeegee with a soft rubber blade, a bucket of warm (not hot) water, a couple of squirts of dishwashing liquid or window-cleaning fluid, a sponge that isn't too coarse for scrubbing rough patches, and lots of clean, white cotton rags (diapers work well). It's best to clean your windows on a cool, cloudy day because the sun dries the window too quickly.

Wet the window with the cloth wipe and use the rougher side of the sponge for stubborn patches. Pull the squeegee from top to bottom, drying the tool between each swipe. Don't forget to clean water that drops onto the windowsill. Vinegar or ammonia are often recommended instead of soap, but Lee and Nicolli don't suggest them because people have a tendency to use too much. In addition, ammonia can take the finish off the glass after a time. A couple of gallons of water and a couple of squirts of dishwashing liquid should do the trick. Lee recommends that do-it-yourselfers work in one room at a time or one side of the house at a time so that the job isn't so overwhelming. Ladders can be dangerous, especially when one is holding a bucket and stretching to reach corners, so at the very least have someone holding the bottom.

Betsy's List, a consumer group, surveyed some window washers around the country. Here are their tips:
• Most homes should get a thorough window washing twice a year. This includes screens and sills.
• Most glass can be cleaned with soap and water. However, some call for special cleaning solutions.
• Large panes are best cleaned with a squeegee and finished with cloth to eliminate streaks. Small panes and leaded or stained glass are best cleaned with plain water and specialized window-cleaning cloths.
• Minimize the need for extra cleaning by not taping or sticking anything to your windows that you don't want to leave there permanently.
• If you hire a pro, make sure the company is licensed.

Isopropanol & the Window Cleaner in Winter

Those guys at the Cleaning Pro's forum have come up with some scientific testing so that you can add Isopropanol to your water tank for when you are water fed pole-ing. Testing took place in a household freezer using glass containers & different amounts of isopropanol added to find the correct amount to use to stop freezing.

The findings were as follows: the dilution rate would be approx 1 litre of Isopropanol to 600 litres of water when adding to your tank or in other words 166ml for every 100 litres for your water tank. The tds in the mix would not be enough to impair cleaning at these ratio's. Isopropanol can be taken down to -89C (-128F). This is also an alternative to using methanol for the traditional window cleaners that use buckets. It hardly has any effect on marine life & plants using the ratio's given. Although being an alcohol, the chemical will dry your hands out, so water-proof gloves are advised if you are having direct contact. Please see the MSDS at the foot of this blog for full details.

Freezing Point of Isopropanol (2-Propanol) based Water Solutions: Isopropyl alcohol is also commonly used as a cleaner and solvent in industry. It is also used as a gasoline additive for dissolving water or ice in fuel lines. The concentration of Isopropanol in water is shown below & the lower tempreratures that can be realised by concentration.

If you noticed that the world ''isopropyl" looks like it might have something to do with propane, which you know from gas barbecues and propane torches, then well-spotted. Propane is made of three carbon atoms strung in a row with 8 hydrogen atoms attached. Poke an oxygen between a hydrogen and the carbon in the middle of the row and you get isopropanol. Any of the alcohols we've been talking about will evaporate quickly carrying away heat with it, so they are useful to cool and soothe the skin. They are also all good at dissolving oils and greases and therefore good for cleaning all sorts of things. Isopropyl alcohol is also readily turned into acetone, which you probably know as nail polish remover. Sometimes rubbing alcohol contains ethanol as well as isopropyl alcohol. When rubbing alcohol does contain significant amounts of ethanol, more poisonous and evil-tasting substances are added so that people won't drink it -- a process called ''denaturation." Often the poisonous additive is methanol, which, in addition to being toxic, can blind you if it doesn't kill you. In other words, under no circumstances should you ever consider drinking any sort of rubbing alcohol!

Some safety info for you: Keep away from heat, sparks and flame. Keep container closed. Use only with adequate ventilation. Wash thoroughly after handling. Avoid breathing vapor or mist. Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.

I would also like to point out that Isopropyl acohol is used in swimming pools as "heatsaver" as it rises to the top & keeps the heat in the pool. Material data safety data sheet here.