I have a big CCU Residential job coming up on Wednesday. I will probably be using razors and steel wool, but obviously I’d like to use them as little as possible. I will be having the homeowner sign a scratched glass waiver as well.
Typially I use Unger EasyGlide glass cleaner, and will mix in a bit of ammonia if there’s extra junk on the windows. Is there anything else I should be adding to this mix that will help get off a lot of the crap so that I have to scrape as little as possible? We don’t have a WFP yet, it’s all squeegee.
Also, my insurance does cover scratched glass. I assume I should go ahead and do the scratch glass waiver anyways, right?
Basically you won’t put anything additionally in the bucket and there are any tinted windows do not use ammonia.
If you are dealing with brand new glass and if its tempered glass I would advise not to use a blade.
If dealing with tempered glass you can use alternative methods like using scrub pads or melamine pads or steel wool along with using chemicals that break the bonds of what ever debris is on the glass.
I would be surprised if an insurance company would replace glass you scratched due to you contravening the manufactures cleaning instructions.
Yes on the waiver if you can actually get it signed. A great number of builders see it as an excuse and not what it is.
What I’ve done to work around that is offer 2 prices. One with razors and the understanding that it may get scratched, and another estimate thats nearly double that price to keep the razors in the truck.
I’ve had a lot of success with that approach.
As far as a solution, you should consider buying some oil flow.
I used it with a white pad.
Stuff is great but the smell gets on your nerves after day 1.
It will also help to have a punch list for each unit that you create yourself.
I use 2 units per page.
It helps me when I bring a dry erase marker with me and after the glass is cleaned, I circle imperfections and scratch’s in the glass.
At the end of each day, when you do your walk with the foreman or your contact, they may not give a care about it, some do but its a very few of them, the main reason why I do it is kind of for my benefit. In their mind I’m showing them I care about the quality of my work and I didn’t just start yesterday.
This way, when another trade comes in a scratch’s your glass (like painters’ helpers who screw up and blast your window with paint and try to get it off later) or the welder who pits your glass, or the stucco guys who grind the window with lathe…they are probably going to believe it was someone else when you say so.
Just a little input for you that may or may not work for your outfit.
Having a wfp makes no difference as you likely wouldn’t use on new construction anyway.
Many insurance providers cover glass not working directly on, check how your insurer covers this.
If you have a scratch waiver and the builder signs it your lucky as many manufacturers now state not to use abrasive items or razors on their products.
It does fall on the end user who damages the surface, be aware and inspect your work to notice these issues immediately.
Be aware what locations in a home are required by local building codes to use tempered glass. This aids in your selection of what to safely use and where.
Inspect the typical areas, tempered surfaces especially, before you start and immediatly notify if you find imperfections or scratches before you clean it.
Trained eye can pick these up even on dirty glass.
