Screens - Screen Washing

Hello fellow window cleaners!

Last year I used the Aztec Screen Washer. A few customers tried to claim we ruined their screens by using this system. One customer showed me some pulls and little marks he believes the screen washer made. Also, we went back to another customer for an exterior wash only late fall and they said they didn’t want the screens washed again because she believes we damaged them. I do not believe the screen washer did this. How do you handle this? Also, I am concerned because some screens may become worn over time. The only time the customer actually looks at these screens is when we come to clean them. I am worried they will try to stay we damaged them. It would be very time consuming to check every single screen for damage if it is not obvious. Please let me know how you handle this. Thank you.

I can’t see the Aztec damaging screens unless they were not in the best shape to begin with or there was user error. Is it possible that you might have rubbed the screens against the on/off valve?

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The brushes on the Aztec and Eagle II won’t damage the screens anymore than scrubbing by hand would. What is meant by “pulls and little marks”? What damage did the other customer suggest you did? Depending on the exposure to sun and other elements screens only last for 5-6 years? Maybe a tad more in some areas. I always make a judgement call on the conditions of the screens, and if they seem weak or weather beaten I bring it to the customers attention during the bid process or as soon as I notice. Re-screening those bad boys is an up sell. Sometimes the plastic corners are brittle from age. If that is the case you can show them that old age isn’t your fault - unless you let yourself get old of course! HAHA

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I have my helper do the screens. I don’t think he rubbed it on the on/off valve. At what point do you not clean the screen? Some of these screens can be a little worn already.

They looked like some lines in the screen. I usually have my helper take care of the screens while I start on the outside with the waterfed pole. This area also experienced a tornado in May. So I believe some of the damage may have been caused by the tornado that came through. Rescreening? Is there profit in doing this. The community I do has screens of different colors. Black and grey. The screen material I saw was expensive, and the screening process was time consuming. Probably can do it faster with practice. But how much would you charge them to rescreen? You also have to take the screen out, rescreen it, and then come back to install it. Would it be worth it to the customer verses the price of a new screen, etc?

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I have seen lines on screens from pressure washers; I wouldn’t take the blame for those. Was it pressure washed recently or at some other time before you?
Yes, there certainly is profit in re-screening. You can get one of those foldable banquet tables from Target and do your screening on that, or just do it on the driveway. (I would place large towels down to avoid scratching the frames). You can even build new frames and screen those for an additional service. Some windows are proprietary so I tell the customer to send to the manufacturer for replacements of those type. You can buy the material at Home Depot/Lowes or an aluminum patio supply house and do the work. Or pass on it and suggest the customer call a screener to fix them. Cheap and easy enough for you to do though. Take your cost of material X 2.5 or 3 + time = $$$.

Re Screen

Yes. I have seen the pressure washer. He comes before us. Would those lines on the screens be noticeable before we clean them?

There’s money in rescreening.

This is me about 6 years and 50 lbs ago,

if i have a folding table with me i can usually do 5-10 screens an hour by myself. we charge $20 per screen so that’s $100-200 per hour with about $5-15 in material costs

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The lines are probably lines in the dirt. It’s why I always suggest using a soap solution to help break down the dirt. The brushes are not aggressive enough to damage screens. It’s why I went with a thinner brush so that you’ll get a good scrub but unless the screens are severely sun worn it shouldn’t ever actually damage the screens.

If you just run the screens through too quickly and let them dry you’ll get those lines.

But always use your own judgement on whether or not the screens are too worn to wash. If they’re ripped, sun worn, white like fabric, or barely hanging on, don’t wash them. Upsell rescreen for $25-30 per. Rescreening is very good money.

Here’s some tips and tricks that I’ve learned.

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When you see flimsy old screens , just wipe the frame down an maybe brush them a little.
Or just leave them alone !! I don’t touch flimsy old screens.
Bring it to the attention of the customer. Some just don’t know what the hell is going on , An are quick to blame.
As soon as we see a damaged sceeen it’s brought right to the customs attention. Learned the hard way.

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Take one of the damaged screens and run it through your washer again, checking for further damage.

I have always done it by hand, gives me a better idea as to how aggressive I can get with it. I also offer screen repair so I can afford to repair screens if they get messed up somehow.

We warn a head of time about old screens! But we now just use out hog hair brush with brass 80%
fan jets>

hey, there everyone my name is [Brian] I’ve been doing window cleaning in the Sacramento area for some time now and the screen cleaning machine I use is awesome. it can damage if not used properly for sure but that is typically noticed upon completion or days thereafter. Window washing in the Sacramento area can be tough with all the dirt in the air. the screen cleaning machine has been one of the greatest additions to my team. I hated carrying a bucket of soap and water and not to mention a machine is a marketing tool.

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Sun Rotted screens + Screen Machine = recipe for disaster/ripped screens/broken/Rotted PVC angles

At least let the client sign the waiver first before you wash them, and bring shit to fix them.

They are common here in Florida where residents get “Once in a Lifetime” cleans on windows.

Screen washers are not worth it for me and cost more/time to deal with.

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