Washing windows with a pole has been a tradition dating back to the invention of the modern squeegee.  This method can be effective up to about 30′.  Windows are scrubbed with soapy water and then squeegeed.

Taller buildings can often be cleaned with water-fed poles.  This method is often misunderstood, as people often ask, “where’s the squeegee?” or “where’s the soap?”.  With the development of newer technologies, we are able to reach up to 60′ and sometimes higher with carbon fiber poles.  Water coming out of the building tap is filtered using deionization filtration tanks and is then pumped through a small hose to the top of the pole.  The water coming out by the brush has had all particulate matter removed and is almost pure water.  Pure water is an excellent solvent and with a little scrubbing disolves or dislodges all the dirt on the glass and frames.  A thorough rinse leaves nothing but pure water on the glass.  Once it evaporates, the window is left Sparkling Clean!

Aerial lifts like this boom lift are often the only way to get to many windows!  It is critical to have trained lift drivers operating the lift and cordoning off the work area.

Swing stages, powered platforms, suspended scaffolding, suspended platforms are all synonyms for basically the same thing, a platform suspended from the top of a building with cables.  Many people think that by definition these are naturally the safest method of access to clean windows, but that is not always correct.  Check out our safety page to learn more.

With proper training and equipment, cleaning windows using industrial rope access can be quicker, less expensive and safe!  Rappelling down the side of a building to clean windows and perform other building maintenance started out as a quicker and therefore less expensive option to building services.  This wasn’t always the safest method.  However, with advances in training and equipment using industrial access techniques has become much more popular and in many cases the safest option.  Learn more about the safety aspect on our rope access safety page.