You don't notice how dirty your windows are until the sun hits them in the afternoon. Then you see every streak, spot and patch of yellow film. That's what exterior window cleaning takes care of.
Kannapolis window cleaning: what's included
This is exterior window cleaning. The crew works on the outside of the glass and everything around it. Here's what's included:
- Glass. Washed by hand, scrubbed and squeegeed or rinsed with filtered water, depending on the window and how high it is.
- Frames. Wiped down so dirt from the frame doesn't run back onto clean glass in the next rain.
- Sills and tracks. Outer sills cleaned of pollen, dead bugs and grit.
- Screens. Removed, rinsed and brushed, then put back.
Interior glass isn't included. The focus is the outside of your home.
What's on your windows
Pine pollen. Every spring, yellow pine pollen sticks to glass and turns into a hazy film after a rain or two. Rinsing with a hose spreads it around. It needs a real wash.
Hard water spots. White spots usually come from sprinklers, or from a wash done with untreated water that dried on the glass. Fresh spots come off with a normal cleaning. Old, baked-on mineral spots may need a specialty treatment, and some may have etched the glass. The contractor should tell you which is which.
Red clay splash. Low windows and basement windows near bare dirt get coated in orange. Easy to clean, but it comes back unless the soil is covered.
Spider webs and wasp nests. The crew clears them from frames and corners along the way.
Windows and house washing go together
If you're getting a house soft wash, add window cleaning to the same visit. Here's why: a house wash rinses the glass, but rinse water can leave spots and runs as it dries. Cleaning windows after the wash takes care of that and saves the crew a second trip, which saves you money.
Same goes for roof cleaning. Runoff ends up on the glass, so windows should be cleaned last.
How long it takes
A typical single-story house takes one to three hours. A two-story with lots of panes, French doors or screens takes longer. Older mill houses with many divided panes take more time per window than big modern ones, and that should be priced in up front.
Before the crew arrives
- Unlock gates and clear a path around the house.
- Move furniture or plants that sit right up against windows.
- Mention any screens that are damaged or hard to remove.
- Keep pets inside.
You don't need to be home for exterior work.
What a good window cleaner won't do
A good window cleaner won't use a pressure washer on your windows. High pressure can break seals on double-pane glass, which leads to fog between the panes that can't be cleaned. They also won't scrape glass with a blade without checking it first, since some newer glass scratches easily.
How often
Twice a year is a good schedule for most Kannapolis homes. Late spring, after pollen season, and fall, before the holidays. Once a year works if your windows are shaded or under a deep porch.
Exterior window cleaning is priced by window count, height and how many divided panes and screens there are. See the price guide, or call (980) 324-2648 for a firm number.
Questions people ask
Do you clean the inside of windows?
No. This service covers only the exterior, including glass, frames, sills and screens. That keeps the job quick and means you don't need to be home.
Can you remove hard water spots?
Fresh spots usually come off with a normal cleaning. Old mineral spots that have baked on for years may need a specialty treatment, and some may have permanently etched the glass. The contractor should look at them and tell you what's realistic before starting.
Should I get my windows cleaned before or after a house wash?
After, or better yet, the same day. A house wash rinses the glass, but the water can leave spots as it dries. Windows should be cleaned last so they finish clean.
Do you clean screens?
Yes. The crew takes them off, rinses and brushes them, and puts them back. If a screen is torn or bent, they'll point it out, but screen repair and replacement aren't included.