Weather changes and conditions can affect many cleaning operations, such as exterior window cleaning. Weather condition challenges can be combated by having the right expert team fit for your site.

Window cleaning has multiple crucial benefits for business operations, such as employee morale and productivity to brand image and property value. The benefits are the reason why ensuring window cleaning solutions are optimised throughout all weather conditions.

 

Temperature Considerations

Temperature can play a vital role during window cleaning operations and can also cause damaging effects on the final results.

Extreme Heat

Extreme heat can evaporate water and cleaning solutions rapidly. Water can evaporate in any temperature above freezing, but this process does speed up the higher the temperature. It has been seen that although there are regulations, such as  Building Regulations Part O, that aim to regulate and control window overheating, windows can still reach high temperatures of 50°C in direct sunlight.

When cleaning windows, there is a process. After water and cleaning solutions are applied, they need to be rinsed or wiped away with a squeegee. If the water evaporates before this step, it can create a haze and leave water marks or streaks behind. With these challenges in mind, it is best to operate in the early morning, later afternoon or when temperatures seem cooler.

Humidity

With warm temperatures also comes humidity. Humidity can be like marmite within the professional window cleaning realm, with high humidity slowing evaporation and low humidity speeding evaporation. Tackling humidity can be tricky, but with the right expertise, it can also optimise the timing of the service, making operatives work faster and more efficiently.

High humidity slows drying, which provides cleaning operatives more time to complete each step in the cleaning routine. However, humidity can also provide too much moisture in the air, meaning moisture will linger for a longer period, making the process of cleaning more time consuming.

Freezing Temperatures

On the opposite end of extreme heat, colder months can provide freezing temperatures which increases the risk of ice, frost, dry air and fog. If the temperature drops to freezing or below, cleaning becomes much harder not only in terms of results but also high health and safety risk for cleaning operatives.

Freezing temperatures result in many for window cleaning, including:

• Equipment: Hoses and squeegees may become stiff, and cloths and window mops may become brittle and less absorbent.
• Glazing: Freezing temperatures may cause micro-cracks within the glazing, creating health and safety risk for all individuals coming into contact with the glass.
• Slippery Surfaces: Glazing and window frames can become slippery, reducing the advantage of operatives being able to grip onto services to keep themselves stable whilst operating.
• Service Tasks: Freezing temperatures can alter the consistency of the water and cleaning solutions, making them either freeze or subject to a slush like consistency.
• Health and Safety: Freezing temperatures can cause surfaces to be slippery and wet, resulting in risk of slips, trips and falls. A study conducted by TB Davies showed that 20-30 window cleaning operatives have sustained major injuries annually due falling whilst working.

 

Combatting Wind and Rain

The most common weather conditions associated with negative impact of window cleaning results are wind and rain. These conditions can impact the schedule of operation due to their health and safety risk.

Wind

Vertical cleaning operations can be executed using various tasks, from high-level rope access to high-level building maintenance unit (BMU), both of which are highly affected by wind speed.

High wind speed can reduce equipment control, cleaning solution application and harness safety. Whether your provider is using rope access or BMU access, both solutions require operatives to be strapped into harness and techniques to allow the operative or BMU to abseil down building façades. In high wind speed conditions this poses serious risk for operatives as well as potential risk of damage to the building façade and cleaning equipment by striking nearby surfaces.

To prevent these risks, the cleaning tasks are scheduled to align with weather conditions. However, in the unexpected event of wind, the service will be rescheduled for a different time of day or different day entirely.

Rain

Rain is often associate with negative connotation for vertical cleaning solutions, however, this it is not always the case. Light rain will not affect the outcome of the service, due to its lack of dirt and coverage. Where on the other hand, harsh, heavy rain carries high percentages of dirt and high level of coverage.

When heavy rain is combined with heavy wind speeds, this can be counterproductive for our services. Often when these conditions arise, we direct our window cleaning service to internal glazing solutions, such as scenic lifts shaft cleans and daily cleaning services. This ensures our services still positively impact the appearance of your property.

 

Sun Exposure

Similar to extreme heat, direct sun exposure can determine the risk of streaks, water marks and haze on exterior glazing. On the other hand, limited sun exposure caused by cloudy or foggy conditions can also cause negative impact on results.

Direct Sunlight

Bright, consistent direct sunlight, even without extreme heat, can cause the exterior glazing to heat up at a rapid pace. This heat can lead to cleaning solutions and water to dry at a faster rate, leaving streaks or water spots behind.

However, sunlight also benefits our operations by allowing operatives to clearly see the contrast between wet and dry areas, meaning any minor imperfections stand out and can be mitigated.

Cloudy Conditions

Although cloudy condition is viewed in a negative light, clouds can soften harsh lighting and reduce glare, making it easier for operatives to see the surfaces. As well as this, cloudy conditions can diffuse the light, providing a slower drying rate of water and solutions, making operations more controlled. Cloudy conditions are often ideal for achieving a streak-free finish, especially on large glass surfaces.

Temperature, sunlight, wind, rain, humidity and seasons all play their part in determining how successful a clean can be. It is important to have clear and honest communication with your cleaning providers by scheduling window cleaning tasks with weather conditions to optimise results. For the best results, it is crucial to schedule operations during moderate temperatures, avoiding high wind speeds and heavy rain, and factoring in seasonal debris.

 

Get In Touch

Looking for a window cleaning partner that understands the limitations of weather? Get in touch with our expertly trained and equipped team today, who will deliver window cleaning solutions to the highest standard in every season.