Dual Pane Window Leaks

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The most common type of window used in residential and commercial construction today is called an Insulated Glass Unit or IG Unit.  An IG Unit consists of two pieces of glass bonded together on a frame with bedding sealant.  The main benefit of an IG unit compared to a single pane window is that the space between the two pieces of glass serves to act as insulation.  An inert gas such as Argon is  used to fill the dead air space between the two panes of glass.

Why does a Dual Pane Window Leak?

A dual pane leak occurs when the seal between the glass panes on an IG unit breaks for some reason causing the Argon gas to escape and allowing moist air to replace it.  Broken seals can be caused by a crack in one of the glass panes or failure of the bedding compound.  This image shows moisture in between the glass.

What Does A Dual Pane Window Leak Look Like?

This image shows a dual pane leak where the moisture inside the glass has evaporated leaving an opaque film on the interior surface.

Are Dual Pane Window Leaks Common in Arizona?

Dual pane leaks in the desert southwest are very common because of the high ambient temperatures and hours of hours of bright sunshine.  There is no effective way of repairing a dual pane leak requiring the IG unit to be replaced.  New homeowners should pay particular attention to the factory warranty on their windows.  Once the warranty has expired, the homeowner could be responsible for a very large repair bill.

Duel pane leak inspection is included at no charge with every ClearPro window cleaning.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about dual pane windows and how they can leak, call ClearPro, the Scottsdale window cleaning experts at 480-459-5644.

 

 

 

What You Need to Know about Window Cleaning Companies and Their Growing Use of “Independent Contractors”

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Scheduling a business to come clean your windows is a no-brainer, right? How hard can it be? All you have to do is to go online, read a couple of reviews, and schedule an appointment.  However, savvy customers don’t stop there.  They put on their “detective hats” and pursue additional information to several very important decision criteria before finalizing their vendor choice.

What is an Independent Contractor?

This blog will define what an “independent contractor” is and will explain why local window cleaning businesses owners are staffing their companies with an increasingly larger number of “independent contractors” INSTEAD of hiring company employees.  We will explain how the use of “independent contractors” can increase the risk of an unsatisfactory window cleaning service as well as possible financial loss for the customer.  Finally, we will pass along some tips that will help you spot “independent contractors” posing as company employees.

A legitimate “independent contractor must pass the IRS Independent Contractor Test consisting of 11 main tests and organized into three main groups: behavioral control, financial control, and the type of relationship of the parties. In reality, very few if any of the window cleaner folks claiming to be “independent contractors” even begin to come close to passing all 11 tests.

Why are an increasingly growing number of window cleaning business owners choosing to use these “independent contractors” instead of hiring employees? The following is a list of some of the reasons:

  • There is a growing shortage of people in the workforce willing to performing manual labor jobs. This shortage has reduced the number of experienced window cleaners in the labor pool available to be hired and has driven up wages substantially.
  • “Independent contractors” are responsible to pay their own employment taxes saving the employer about 8% of total labor costs. In reality, many of these independent contractors are paid “cash on the side” and never receive Form 1099-NEC’s.
  • “Independent contractors” are expected to carry workers compensation insurance and general liability insurance saving the window cleaning business owner another 10 to 15% of total labor costs. However, ”Independent contractors” almost never carry these insurance policies because: A) Arizona law does not require that business owners carry worker’s comp insurance on themselves and; B) Many of these independent contractors are not charging enough for the services they provide to be to afford these required insurance policies.
  • Some business owners can’t afford to keep an employee on payroll year-round because of the extreme seasonality of the window cleaning business.
  • Some business owners can’t afford the cash outlay to add additional vehicles and their associated operating costs.” Independent contractors” are responsible for providing their own vehicles.

Reasons why consumers should very carefully consider whether or not to retain a window cleaning company that use “independent contractors”

  • “Independent contractors” are almost never covered by workers compensation insurance. Should one of these individuals be hurt on your property, you could easily find yourself defending an expensive lawsuit.
  • ‘’Independent contractors” almost never carry general liability insurance. Should one of these individuals damage your property, you will likely find yourself responsible to pay for their damage,
  • By definition, “independent contractors” do not have an employee employer relationship. Therefore, the business owner may not tell them how to do their job or when to do their job nor may the owner provide training.

A few tips to help you spot “independent contractors” posing as company employees

  • Have a general conversation with the business owner covering general business practices such as the use of “independent contractors”.
  • Ask the window cleaning company to provide proof of Worker’s Compensation insurance coverage and general liability coverage before allowing its workers on your property,
  • Does the window cleaner arrive at your property driving a company truck with signage on it?
  • Is the window cleaner wearing a company uniform?

 

Hopefully, you now know the what a window cleaning subcontractor is.  You understand why more and more window cleaning companies are using subcontractors. You have become aware of the potential liabilities of allowing subcontractors on your property. Lastly, you have gained some insight as to the types of questions to ask window cleaning business owners before hiring them to service your property.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the use of independent contractors in the window cleaning industry, call ClearPro, the Scottsdale window cleaning experts at 480-459-5644.

Why schedule regular window cleanings for your home?

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There are many reasons why you should have your home’s windows cleaned on a regular basis. If you are like the vast majority of homeowners in the Valley of the Sun, your decision comes down to addressing one of four motivations.

  • The most common reason homeowners get their windows cleaned is that they have out of town guests coming to visit and they want them to enjoy the beautiful desert vistas surrounding their home.
  • A second reason that homeowners clean their windows is that they are listing their home for sale on the MLS. Their realtor probably had placed it on the “To Do” list right along with eliminate clutter and freshen up the paint. History has shown that fresh cleaned windows help houses sell faster and at a higher price.
  • A third reason that homeowners clean their windows is in preparation to celebrate important family holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
  • A fourth reason that homeowners clean their windows is that it is part of their annual spring cleaning project. Some owners prefer to clean their windows in September as soon as the summer monsoons are over.

As it turns out, there is another VERY important reason to keep a home’s window clean.

At the microscopic level, glass is actually a very porous material that exhibits “honeycomb” like patterns on the surface. Left uncleaned for extended periods of time, the pores in the honeycomb surface attract organic and inorganic contaminants which react chemically with the glass firmly bonding to its surface. Constant radiant energy from the sun and the high ambient temperatures found in our arid desert climate accelerate this natural corrosion process.

What does damaged glass look like?

New glass is bright and sparkling, easy to see through and easy to clean and keep clean. If not regularly cleaned, glass easily becomes stained and discolored, difficult to see through, difficult to clean and keep clean. The surface of the glass also possesses hydrophilic properties and is over time subjected to a corrosion process that will make the surface rougher and therefore it’s damage greater, in some cases irreversibly.

Want your windows and doors to look great and last a long time?

No problem! Just keep your interior and exterior glass clean. Professionally clean your exterior glass whenever dirt, organic residue, and/or hard water staining appears-typically every 6 to 12 months. Professionally clean interior glass at least once every 12 months.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the benefits of regularly scheduled window cleanings at your home, call ClearPro, the Scottsdale window cleaning experts at 480-459-5644. We will be glad to be of assistance.

Here’s what to expect from your professional window cleaners

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Keeping your windows clean can drastically improve the quality of natural light that gets into your home. It also keeps your home looking nice, which is particularly important if you are having guests over or hoping to sell. When you hire our professionals to clean your exterior windows, here is what you can expect.

Our professional window cleaners are ready to care for your home

We start with a preliminary consultation

Before professional exterior window cleaning technicians arrive at your home, they want to know what to expect. They need to understand how big a job they’re committing to so that they can plan their schedule accordingly. A preliminary meeting helps them honor the timeline and price that they quote you.

Call us for professional window cleaning here in Scottsdale and North Phoenix.

Call us for professional window cleaning here in Scottsdale and North Phoenix.

Planning visit

There’s a difference between talking about a job and seeing what your home needs up close. starts each job with a visit to the home in question. This visit gives the team a clear idea of the tools they will need to do the job.

Another reason for the preliminary visit to your home is to see what safety precautions the cleaning professionals need to take. From ladder height to the number of people needed on the job, important details are brought to light in the pre-cleaning visit.

Window cleaning

Professional exterior window cleaning is more than just spraying on a solution and wiping it away. The screens are removed with special tools to give access to the window without damaging the screens.

It also doesn’t do any good to clean the windows if the frames around them are filthy. Technicians start by wiping down the window frames, making sure there is no debris stuck on them.

When it comes to cleaning the windows themselves, professional cleaners use a special solution that is designed to clean without leaving streaks. Then they make sure all the solution is removed by using a squeegee. After the majority of the solution is removed, they can use a rag to clean off the edges that the squeegee doesn’t reach.

Screen cleaning

Your exterior windows are not done until the screens are cleaned and reattached. A professional cleaning service does more than just brush off the dirt. A special cleaning solution removes grime gently so that your screens look like new when they go back on your house.

Final inspection

Professional window cleaners are trained to notice problems that need to be fixed. Any issues with your windows, such as scratches or chips, should be brought to your attention. They may also look for water damage or caulk that needs to be replaced.

Once all the windows, screens, and frames are cleaned, technicians conduct a final check on the house. They inspect each window to look for residual drips or any spots they missed.

Follow-up Call

Even with an inspection, something could get missed. A good cleaning company will call within a few days of finishing the job to make sure that you are satisfied with the service.

Hiring professional exterior window cleaning services can save you a lot of time, and it may even save you money. They provide all the equipment and expertise, and you get beautiful windows that let natural light through.

If you need window cleaning here in Scottsdale and North Phoenix, our team would love to help. Give us a call or contact us today for service.

5 top reasons to schedule your holiday window cleaning now

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Whether you host large holiday parties or prefer to celebrate with just your immediate family, knowing that your home looks clean and attractive can make your gatherings more enjoyable. On that front, one task that’s easy to overlook is holiday window cleaning. Having sparkling clean windows can make your whole house seem brighter and more beautiful. Here are some of the most important benefits you can enjoy by scheduling a December appointment with ClearPro Window & Carpet Cleaning.

Have ClearPro professionally clean your windows before your holiday gatherings this month.

Have ClearPro professionally clean your windows before your holiday gatherings this month.

1. Your home will look its best for visitors

Even if you entertain throughout the year, there is something special about hosting a party during the holiday season. Because the winter weather in the Phoenix area is generally mild enough to allow access to outdoor entertaining spaces, you may find that you and your guests spend time both outside and inside your home. That means it’s essential to ensure both the interior and exterior surfaces of your window glass are clean and shiny. Our cleaning professionals follow a comprehensive plan to ensure all the glass is spotless.

2. Low winter rainfall means your windows can stay clean for months

Most of the time, Phoenix doesn’t get a lot of rain during the winter, especially in the month of December. The dry weather makes this time of year ideal for window cleaning because you can plan on enjoying the results for a long time. You don’t have to worry about getting rain spots on your windows right away. We can also clean your screens with a unique enzyme solution that ensures they are ready for seasonal use.

3. You can start the new year off with one home maintenance task complete

The beginning of the new year is often a time of renewed activity and resolutions. You may like to get an early start on spring cleaning by completing some work at the beginning of the year, but it can be easy to take on too many tasks and get overwhelmed before you have a chance to recover from the busy holiday season. Allowing professionals to clean your windows means you can count one home maintenance task complete without having to dedicate your own time to the work.

4. You can get a jump on the spring real estate rush

If you are planning to sell your home in the upcoming year, chances are you will list it in the spring. This season is usually the busiest for real estate transactions, and having your home market-ready can allow you to start attracting potential buyers before most other sellers. Clean windows can improve your home’s curb appeal and make the listing photos look stunning.

5. You can cross one thing off your holiday to-do list

December is often a busy month with school breaks, annual parties, and holiday celebrations. You may find yourself overwhelmed at the thought of all the things you need to do to get your home ready for numerous guests. Instead of putting off cleaning your windows, let us take care of it for you.

Call our team to request a free quote on holiday window cleaning

Flawlessly clean windows provide many benefits to your home: They maximize the winter light, improve the interior and exterior appearance, and allow unimpeded views. December is an excellent time to let the professionals at ClearPro Window & Carpet Cleaning make your windows spotless. Call us to schedule your holiday window cleaning and get your home ready to impress.