New constrution cleaanup

I have found that if you are concerned about scratches then wash entire window first, and squegee off water. Then look over it for debris and use small scraper,(one razor blade) to remove each speck of debris. After washing first there is usually not much debris left. Also fine steel wool works well on light paint marks. I can’t imagine asking a customer to sign a waiver saying I might scratch your windows and you can’t do nothing about it. Definitely would lose that job. I use an unger trim 10 for major scraping, which is probably the sharpest blade in the world. Definitely have to be careful when changing it. After removing each speck indivdually , wash window again and touch up with steel wool.000 or 0000 steel wool.

You can do something about it – an educated builder insists upon quality (no fabricating debris) glass from their supplier.

The methods you describe do put you at risk for scratched glass (e.g. removing stucco, mortar, concrete, etc.; using a blade or steel wool.)

Without customer education and a signed fabricating debris waiver (and proper CCU cleaning procedures), you risk losing not only the job, but your business (and personal assets.)

I would rather lose that job and not everything else you could lose by not having a waiver signed. Besides once you educate yourself, so you know what you are talking about when talking to a builder, your not going to lose very many jobs, except the ones that would be good to lose.

X, you seem like you have an idea that I am sure is highly widespread. In that if you bring up Fab Debris that you will be the ONE responsible for the scratches and that by telling anyone you will lose that account. llaczko, Chris, Sparkle and many of these other guys understand that is NOT the case. I have not any work where I educated either the owner or builder up front about the dangers of Fab Debris, I am NOT close to being as knowledgeable as many on this board about this. Hopefully you will get more knowledgeable posters then me. But again the risk is real and I personally have never lost a single job. I do believe in some ways it does give me ethics presence with builders and homeowners when I mention it up front.

Yeah, xecutiv, the process you explain can very easily result in scratches.

The waiver is a life-saver, and you should either destroy your blades, or get into the habit of having people sign waivers.

Kevin, have you seen alot of fabricating debris in the GTA? Or is fabricating debris mostly an American phenomenon ? Is fabricating debris on glass something that happens frequently in Canada?

A little off-topic I know, but I never heard from a Canadian on the issue.

Thanks

Mike

Yup. Brutal glass here, too.

Same deal.

If you EVER get a CCU lead, make sure they sign a waiver.

It should be up to the builder as well to ensure thier subcontractors take precautions to prevent the mortar and all other construction debris from getting on the glass. It is very simle to cover glass to avoid excessive debris.

And yet that has no impact on glass quality and fabricating debris defects.

It has no impact on glass quality but you would not need the use of a scraper…in return not allowing scratches. In 15 years I have scratched very few windows by being aware of my cleaning methods used on certain types of glass. I would never scrape a window knowing it will scratch just because I had a waiver signed. It would save time to always scrape but if you would be less then professional if taking that point. You see the sites that show fabricating debris when hit by a scraper and it is always scraped in all different directions and circles…looks like they intentionally scraped in a manner to make scratches to get thier point noticeable. There may need to be education on the proper technique when useing a scraper.

Are you saying that you test for fabricating debris?

I use customer education, a signed waiver, and a Triumph scraper. Not sure what is “less then (sic) professional” about that.

I do not know of any window cleaner who would intentionally act in the manner you describe.

Please provide that education – here’s your stage!

It looks like you’ve got yourself in a corner, Superior!

Truth is, this is an issue that MANY members are extremely knowledgeable of, and which they are very frustrated by.

I for one, can vouch for the reality and unavoidability of scratches, despite the most careful, preventative methods and tools. Can’t get away from it.

If you do have some [I]proven [/I]advice then by all means, we would sincerely like to know…

I dont test every ccu that is not an option but with the problem with tempered glass I clean mainly using 0000 steelwool and I dont have issues with the fabricating debris. If the scraper is making the bad quality glass scratch why use a scraper ? The only reason to use a scraper is to cut time down, I prefer to use alternate method and not have scratched glass at the end of the day. My prices reflect the changes I make to be sure I am still paid what I am worth and the job (with flawed glass) is scratch free. The construction companies are aware of the reasons for addition charge for the precautions taken. They can also take the issue up with the glass manufacturer. So to sum it up I am aware of fabricating debris, take precautions, adjust price and have no scratched glass on my sites. As for deliberate scratching of glass I was referring to a website of a main spokesman for fabricating debris in the industry which shows on thier main page a large picture of a piece of glass with fabricating debris after being struck with a scraper. Unfortunately the scratches are in circles and every direction of the piece of glass. That technique would scratch most pieces of glass.

Nice reply.

If you can convince someone to pay you for your extra time on a promise of scratch free CCU, then kudos, superior. Well done, man.

I think this would be the only way I would ever use a similar method.

To remove a brutal CCU with silicone, tape residue, mortar, etc on glass with #0000 steel wool is not my idea of a good time. And I don’t even think I would be capable of doing it, with all the time in the world.

Last year (2006) my company did a CCU on a building with 300,000 square feet of glass.

Not a misprint. Big job. 300,000 sq ft.

I can’t even imagine the horror of attempting it without using scrapers. I don’t even think it would have been possible.

I did not come across correctly, all construction companies I do work with require that thier subs mortar guys, painters, etc. cover glass to protect it. So I dont deal with the problems you obviously have to. Upon my first cleaning with a new builder/construction company I point out the issues and how important it is to prevent the accumulation of the various construction debris. If the next cleaning with is still bad then we will not continue a business relationship with them. Too many companies worry about turning down the work and will deal with more to keep it. The companies that make the changes for everyones benefit are truely the custmers that care about thier industries and I can count on providing a service to them for well into the future. Service and quality is why my customers keep me around.

I think you’re mistaken.

We are not talkinga bout damage to glass based on debris that gets on the glass from construction. But rather debris that gets on the glass from production. That is production of the glass when it is produced by a glass maker. Their is a huge difference.

You should educate yourself on that topic. Go to www.windowcleaning.net and learn about fab debris. Or write a pm to Sparkle Window Clean, he can teach you about it.

Remember it debris that is caused in the production of the glass, that when you scrape the window with your scraper gets dragged across the window causing massive scratching. It has nothing to do with construction.

http://www.window-cleaning.net/ (note hyphen), http://www.stopscratchedglass.com/ (what diffreence does it make if the fabricating debris caused circular scratches or straight?!?), or http://www.iwca.org/content.asp?ContentID=36 for those who care to really educate themselves, other WC’ers, and their customers about the fabricating debris issue. That problem remains whether alternative methods are utilized for the initial cleaning or not.

We still haven’t heard from superior regarding proper scraper technique.

//youtu.be/The Sound of Fabricating Debris - YouTube

Is this considered proper scraping technique?

Ive said it a million times… My main problem with using alternative methods the first time around is… its going to hit the next window cleaner that does the job. 2 years later on a straight clean somebody is going to get burned.

Is it true that fabricating debris is not visible until hit by a scraper? Dont scrape the glass use 0000 steel wool on those, alter your method.

I am not talking about the damage due to construction debris, but production as you stated- so to avoid scraping the glass PREVENT THE CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS FROM GETTING ON IT educate the builder and make them cover the glass throughout the construction process.

usually thats true. I have seen an extreme example where you could literally see it hanging off the glass. Is it still considered fabricating debris at that point?