Window Cleaning News

Fall from height warning given by former window cleaner: A former West Midlands window cleaner who broke his hip and wrist when he fell from a ladder has added his weight to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) efforts to eliminate workplace injuries. Ken Bradley, 63, was cleaning the windows of a house in Dudley in July 2006 when the ladder slipped and he fell. "I felt the ladder slip from under me and I grabbed a window to try and stop myself from falling. But I couldn’t reach. I don’t really remember much after that until I woke up in hospital but I do know I was lucky to escape with the injuries I got," he said. Brian Martin, HSE inspector, said that Mr Bradley's accident shows that any fall from height can have devastating consequences. The HSE recently re-launched its slips, trips and falls campaign, which aims to make people aware of the risks of working at height, among other workplace dangers.

Police in the Driffield area are urging possible victims to come forward after police arrested a man for fraud by false representation. Police have arrested a 27-year-old Driffield man in connection with a number of alleged offences. It is alleged a man knocked on several doors in the Driffield area on Thursday 04 February between 1545hrs and 1630hrs, claiming to be the residents' window cleaner and asking for payment. It is alleged some home owners paid the man a sum of money, whilst others became suspicious and refused to pay the man. The 27-year-old man has been released on police bail, pending further enquiries, until a date in February. PC Simon Marshall said: "We have had many victims coming forward with regards to a man alleging to be their window cleaner.

Missing man found: A 33 year old man who had been missing for two weeks has been found safe and well. Police appealed for help in tracing window cleaner Alexander Wileman after he went missing from his home in Albermarle Drive, Wantage, on Wednesday, February 3. Police spokesman Daniel Donovan said Mr Wileman was found safe and well at Victoria Station in London at about 11am today. He is currently being driven to an Oxfordshire police station. Members of the public were thanked for their assistance in trying to find Mr Wileman.

Frost-bound building firms get cash help: Building groups, gardening companies and window washing firms can claim government help to pay workers who have been left without anything to do because of the long period of frost. Social affairs minister Piet Hein Donner has agreed that companies which have been affected by the wintry weather can apply for temporary unemployment benefit (ww) for staff for February and March. Some 400 claims have already been made and thousands are expected, the Financieele Dagblad reports.

Bus riders now shivering on the curb at Fifth Avenue and State Street in downtown La Crosse could have been using a heated transit center blocks away — had its construction gone as planned. But passengers and city officials who’ve waited more than 15 years for the transit center will wait at least another eight months. The Grand River Station, bid for about $21.6 million, is about eight months behind schedule and $2 million over budget, though still within the contingencies for the project. The project has had 24 change orders to date, some small — such as $2,000 for sprinkler revisions or an additional fire valve hose — and some pricier, such as $109,000 to install window washing equipment. Many of those, Hutchens said, are the result of incomplete architectural information from the start.

A Turkish investor has brought the basic ‘Roomba’ model of US company iRobot to the market, selling 500 units in only 45 days. Ali Tan Şerbetçi says the company plans to sell its products in the Middle East through Turkey. iRobot, a United States-based company with a 75 percent market share in the global home robots market, has entered Turkey with its “Roomba” model. The robot, reminiscent of a Frisbee, has a diameter of 30 centimeters and a height of eight centimeters. The robot is able to calculate the layout of a given area and clean it without human intervention. The 'Roomba' reminiscent of a Frisbee, has a diameter of 30 centimeters and a height of eight centimeters. The “Scooba” model, which uses water and detergent, will be on the Turkish market in April and will sell for 1,200 liras. “Scooba was designed for working couples, families with children, those who have pets, elderly people and the disabled,” Şerbetçi said. “It brushes and washes an area of 80 square meters and completes its cleaning without touching carpets and the like.” After Scooba, the company plans to introduce window cleaning and security robots to the market.

Ultra-thin glass coating for buildings on the way to UK: German company says new product is green and suitable for almost any surface. An ultra-thin coating is being promoted as the next big thing for protecting the surfaces of everything from hospital equipment to buildings. Called Liquid Glass, the flexible and breathable glass coating is being marketed by its German maker Nanopool as a coating for wood, stone, fibre, plastic and glass and ceramics.
The coating is approximately 100 nanometres thick (500 times thinner than a human hair), and according to the manufacturer it is food safe, environmentally friendly and can be applied to almost any surface. The coating leaves surfaces easy to clean and anti-microbially protected. Neil McClelland, UK project manager for Nanopool explained some of the principles behind the product, saying, "In essence, we extract molecules of SiO2 [silicon dioxide] (the primary constituent of glass) from quartz sand, and then we add the molecules to water or ethanol." Liquid Glass is on the market in Germany and will soon be available in the UK. It has already been trialled for the protection of monuments in Turkey, including the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara.

A plane crashed into a Northwest Austin building that houses federal offices about 10 this morning, injuring several people and sparking a fire that sent plumes of smoke into the air that could be seen for miles. A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said the crash, at the Echelon 1 building in the 9400 block of Research Boulevard, was “apparently a criminal act.” Austin Fire Department Division Chief Dawn Clopton said that the FBI would be taking over the investigation. Joe Williams, co-founder of the company, and Cynthia Reed, her boss, ran to a nearby truck with window washing equipment and ladders. “By some miracle there was a truck that was for cleaning windows and there were ladders,” Olivarez said. “They were putting ladders up against the building trying to get people out,” Olivarez said. “It looked as if they couldn’t get out, like both the floors were on fire. There was smoke protruding out of all the windows. It probably took about four minutes for the entire parking lot to be filled with smoke.”
They began to get out people until fire trucks showed up with their own ladders, she said.

Window Cleaner Knew: A second long-running business in Birmingham’s Brindleyplace has been refused a lease renewal amid claims the landlord could damage the long-term success of the district. Spiritual health shop Zen is the latest tenant to be turned down by the British Airways Pension Fund after hair salon Umberto Giannini was told it too would have to leave. They claimed they were the last to know and even a local window cleaner was aware plans were afoot to “kick all the smaller people out”.

In celebration of Black History Month, University of Rhode Island students and faculty attended the Black Inventors Exhibit on Tuesday, to pay tribute to and learn about the famous inventions of lesser-known black inventors. The exhibit showed that without black inventors, we would live in a world without traffic lights, mops and golf tees. Sandra Lamb, co-founder of the organization, said some of the tools featured, particularly the early technology, are from Africa, which she bought from a flea market in Massachusetts. The exhibit also displayed simple inventions like a window cleaner and a lemon squeezer.

For Mayor: Don Marsh: I'm Don Marsh, and my wife and I have been married for 32 years and raised both our children here. I am the owner of Marsh Window Cleaning, and I've spent the last 29 years serving the private sector in a position where what matters are positive results that can be seen with the naked eye. This is the kind of bottom-line-driven governing and transparency that I will bring to City Hall.

Giuliani also spoke about 9/11, said youth council member Garrett Weeks, and told the audience it was a day where a lot of people showed their leadership skills. One example he cited was an event that took place on an elevator in the World Trade Center. The power went out after one of the hijacked planes slammed into Tower One, Giuliani said. This caused the elevators to stop working. Six men were on one of the elevators. Most of them were executives with the exception of window-washer Jan Demczur carrying his bucket and a squeegee. As the men were trying to figure out how to get out of the elevator, Demczur realized they could use the pole on his squeegee to pry open the door so he directed the men in helping him. The elevator opened to a thick wall. Demczur took the lead again and took the sharp edge of his squeegee handle to scrape away the wall. After digging through three layers of drywall they were able to free themselves from the elevator. Demczur is not only considered a hero, but a leader as well.

Dale Wales: The Window Cleaning Fraudster

Driffield fraudster Dale Wales jailed for blatant home town window cleaning scam: A Driffield (North Humberside UK) fraudster has been jailed for 10 months for attempting to obtain money from householders for window cleaning work in what his own solicitor described as a "blatant scam". Beverley magistrates were told Dale Christian Wales "may have looked more professional if he had a ladder" as he committed his latest series of offences. Wales, 26, of Curlew Close, pleaded guilty to five charges of fraud by false representation when he appeared in court via videolink on Friday, having initially denied the allegations at an earlier hearing.
Wales was already serving an existing three-year jail term, from which he had been released on licence on July 3 – two months before the latest offences were committed. He has since been recalled to prison. The court heard the latest offences had all taken place on the afternoon of September 1 in Driffield, where Wales had approached five separate properties near his home.
On each occasion, he asked the occupiers for money in payment for alleged window cleaning work, although no payments were made. Mitigating solicitor John Seagrave said Wales had initially lived in a bail hostel in Hull after he was released from prison and had then moved to a friend's flat in Birmingham, before returning to Driffield.
He said: "He would say the disruptions that occurred in his life following leaving the hostel left him short of money and he was tempted to try this blatant scam to try to get some money together." One of the victims positively identified Wales during an identification parade at Driffield Police Station last Thursday night. Vanessa Crossley, prosecuting, told the bench Wales should be given credit for entering timely guilty pleas. But she added: "That said, you have five separate offences of fraud perpetrated in a close proximity against householders who are clearly targeted, some of whom are elderly and, in consequence, vulnerable."
She later said the victims had been targeted on the basis of the area in which they lived. The court also heard the offences bore a "striking similarity" to previous crimes, for which Wales had been sentenced to three years' imprisonment in February last year. But Mr Seagrave said the victims had been targeted "completely randomly" by his client. "They just happened to live on a housing estate in Driffield relatively close to where he lives," he said. "Certainly it wasn't a case where any planning or forethought had gone into it. He was not even in possession of a chamois leather. "Perhaps if he had a bike with a ladder, it may have looked more professional." Mr Seagrave criticised the Crown Prosecution Service, for using a strategy of "charge first, get the evidence later, frankly". But Miss Crossley said proper procedures were followed and Wales had been a "reasonable and reliable suspect" for the offences.

Window Cleaning News

Can Swiss Clean really keep your windows clean for a year? Do you have dirty windows and mirrors? We found a product that is supposed to help. It's called Swiss Clean window clear. The claim is that it will clean and keep windows spotless for up to one year. Sounds like a miracle. But will it work? Let me try it before you buy it. The Swiss formula is supposed to form an invisible barrier to protect against dirt, dust and even insects. I got the help of my producer, Quita and some of her family members who happen to be kids. The instructions say to spray the cleaner and wipe it with a soft cloth, then polish well until it is completely dry. The Swiss Clean did a great job making the window and bathroom mirror shine. How long will the clean windows and mirrors last? It has been one week since we used the cleaner and after a week not so clean. We paid $7.98 for the Swiss Clean window clear and from the results I have to say it is not worth the cash. The cleaner did make the window shine, but it didn't last. Based on those results I give the window cleaner a thumbs down.

UK's most famous window cleaner: From Brookside Close to Coronation Street via Hollywood, Michael Starke has come a long way from his childhood roots in a deprived area of Liverpool. At the time, Jimmy was working on a little known Liverpool soap called Brookside which went on to become one of our most successful and much loved soaps. As soon as he saw Michael, Jimmy knew he had the perfect part for him.
Sinbad the window cleaner was only ever meant to be in three episodes of the soap but he ended up being in it for 15 years and remains one of Brookside’s most enduring characters. Even though he left the show nearly 10 years ago, he still gets called ‘Sin’ by people on the street all the time, something he tolerates with good humour. “I have such fond memories of Brookside and it was a great programme to be involved with,” says Michael. “I think for me personally the highlight of my work was the Jordache storyline, which as an actor was a great challenge. There was a great team who worked on the show and I feel very fortunate to have been part of it.”

Using window Squeegee's in art: A visual arts exhibition of new work by Birr based artist Rowena Keaveney is currently on display in Belmont Mills Studios. All are welcome to view the exhibition which will run until September 15. Artist Rowena Keaveny, originally from England, has been living in the Midlands since 1999. Having moved from Laois in 2003 she now lives in Birr. Rowena has always painted in a non-traditional way, often using a variety of different tools such as window cleaning blades and rollers. Although she now uses brushes and oil paint, Rowena coats the surface of the canvas with wood-dye which, through a dynamic chemical reaction, creates both texture and atmosphere in the painting. Rowena has enjoyed several solo and group shows throughout Ireland, has been the recipient of several awards and is included in various public collections.

Driffield man arrested in connection with alleged bogus window cleaning operation: A man has been arrested in connection with an alleged bogus window cleaning operation in Driffield. Police have arrested a 26-year-old Driffield man for fraud by false representation. It is alleged a man knocked on several doors in the Driffield area between August 30 and Tuesday September 1, claiming to be their window cleaner and required payment. It is alleged some home owners paid the man a sum of money, while others became suspicious and refused to pay the man. Police are now urging residents who may have fallen victim to the bogus window cleaner to come forward and are keen to speak to anyone who may have been approcahed by the man.
PC Simon Marshall said: "We have had many victims coming forward with regards to a man alleging to be their window cleaner. "Between 1pm and 2.30pm on Tuesday September 1, it is known properties down Meadowcroft Road, Lapwing Road, Fieldfare, and The Ridings were all targeted. "I am appealing to any residents living in Driffield who believe they were also targeted to come forward". A 26-year-old man appeared at Bridlington Magistrates Court today (Thursday September 3) and has been remanded to appear at court on September 11. Anyone with information is asked to contact Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222 quoting log number 398 of 01/01/2009.

The students from Rockland and Westchester were ages 10 to 17 at the time of their eight-day visit in October. They've been learning photography from Ken Karlewicz, who is curating an exhibit of 50 of their images to open Sept. 11 at the GAGA Arts Center in Garnerville. Karlewicz has chronicled Rockland for more than a decade, from vanishing farms in 1996 to a 24-hour photo blitz of Route 59 for an exhibit at GAGA in the spring. But it was his day job, owner of Mr. K's Window Cleaning, that put him in the position to offer his students a unique opportunity. While doing an estimate at Benmosche's Wesley Hills home, he did what he often does - put the arm on a customer to help his students, some of whom can't afford pro Nikons or world travel. "Ken was talking about kids needing cameras and some of the photo shoots they were doing," Benmosche said in a call from Dubrovnik on Tuesday. "I told him the best place I know for a field trip is Croatia and that I'd donate money to help make it happen." He also offered his villa as their base of operations.

Cleaning up in Yorkshire: An industrial cleaning company which won Duncan Bannatyne’s backing on TV’s Dragons’ Den has expanded its operations. UK Commercial Cleaning, set up five years ago by Tony Earnshaw in his home town of Washington, Wearside, has opened a depot in Leeds. Mr Earnshaw established the business with £300 when he was 19, boosting the earnings from a window cleaning round to £6,000 a month then expanding to become a full commercial cleaning company. The company has recruited John Kerslake to run the Yorkshire division and has already agreed contracts with Burger King and Ladbrokes. Mr Earnshaw said: “John’s experience in the industry will be a great advantage in driving the business forward. “Our Leeds depot is a key part of developing our business plan to be a fully national company. This is a big step towards what we want to achieve.” Mr Earnshaw, and sales manager Stephen Pearson pitched their business to the BBC2 Dragons, asking for £100,000 in return for a 20 per cent stake in the business. Mr Bannatyne finally secured a 35 per cent stake and a role as a company director. Read more.

Take Five With Bill Hart: Born and raised in Canada, Hart started playing guitar at nine years old. He moved to the United States at the age of thirteen and was playing professionally by sixteen years old. His first professional experience was playing with his rock band in a pit for theater shows, featuring shows like Rocky Horror Picture Show and Little Shop Of Horrors. He has been featured on twelve CDs and released four under his own name, the latest, This Is Why, on Blue Canoe Records. The first trade he learned to do was high rise window cleaning. Did it for years and worked my way through music college in Los Angeles.

Enviro Glass Solutions are now providing a service where they treat windows with a substance called Tio2 which transforms normal windows into self cleaning windows by using nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the use of particles one billionth of a metre in size. This changes the physical properties of the glass by chemically bonding with its surface meaning that grime will be burned away by a photo catalytic process triggered by the sun.
Untreated windows require cleaning up to fifty times a year to retain their clarity. Windows treated with Tio2 will self clean every time it rains (so somewhat more than fifty times a year in these parts). The process lasts up to two years. There are benefits both to the environment and financially. Employing a traditional window cleaner involves transportation, energy consumption and contributes to CO2 emissions. The financial savings are up to fifty per cent on traditional window cleaning costs. The process itself is environmentally friendly as it utilises inert products and decreases water consumption. The treated windows are brighter and clearer and you don't get a window cleaner staring in at you at the exact moment that you are doing something unmentionable. The treatment is available for both residential and commercial buildings. Enviro Glass Solutions Ltd.

Cleaning companies have been warned that they are probably over-spending on diesel and petrol. Steve Clarke, general manager of The Fuelcard People, said: “Any cleaning firm without a fuel card will be losing money, while even those who already have one may be missing benefits. Anyone who thinks that all fuel cards are the same is wrong and almost certainly over-pays as a consequence. Every day, thousands of cleaners’ vans and other vehicles are refuelled at pump prices, although discounts of 10p per litre and more are available. It is financial madness to pay for fuel without enjoying discount pricing.”
Steve pointed out why over-spending happens, saying: “When fuel cards were first introduced, discounts were rare. Now, savings of 2p to 3p per litre on national average pump prices, and up to 10p on motorway costs, are typical. Depending upon which card a cleaning firm chooses, discounts will apply across a national network of 1,600 or more locations. Too many companies continue to use the non-discount fuel cards they have held for years, rather than reviewing their options and saving money.” He questioned those who fail to shop around. “Fuel cards vary,” he warnes, “and one type cannot suit every need. A cleaning firm will not have the same specific needs as a haulier, electrical contractor or courier company. Significant per-litre discounts should be just the start of the service, savings and security benefits sought by users.”
And he issued a challenge to cleaning firms: “Call us and I bet that we can find you a better package of benefits than you already have. Apart from savings, free credit and ease of VAT recovery, there is so much on offer from dedicated account management and 24/7 account access to detailed, customised reports and state-of-the-art security measures. The Fuelcard People is one of the few fuel card companies able to offer truly impartial, independent advice, offering a broad choice of cards from leading brands including BP, Esso, Shell, Texaco, Diesel Direct (Keyfuels) and ReD.