Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why should I have my windows cleaned?
How should I choose a service provider?
Should I keep screens on my windows?
Should I wait until after the rainy season to have my windows cleaned?


Why should I have my windows cleaned?

Some obvious reasons for having your windows cleaned include:

  • Better view
  • Heat efficiency
  • Professional business image

However, beyond the more obvious reasons, the most important reason for glass maintenance is to avoid glass degradation.  Glass will, over time, become permeated with a variety of contaminants:

  • Hard minerals (from sprinkler systems and building run-off)
  • Oxidization (from windows encased in metal frames and screens)
  • Acid rain
  • Over spray (from paint, chalking, mortar and more)
  • Sea spray

In most cases, hard mineral or hard water is the biggest threat to most home and business owners.  The need for basic glass restoration can be avoided with regular cleaning to exterior window glass surfaces.  At least two cleanings per year is recommended to help mitigate these destructive elements.

Glass is porous and a liquid that continues to harden over time.  A cross-section of a sheet of glass reveals peaks and valleys.  Because glass is porous its transparent look can quickly become obstructed with airborne pollutants and hard water if not maintained on a regular basis.  Windows are also negatively affected by rainwater or sprinkler water that runs over prefabricated surfaces such as wood stain, painted siding, or concrete sealant.  This contaminated water deposits minerals and acids from those substances into the pores of the glass as it runs down the surface of the window.  Glass left unmaintained over long periods of time may end up permanently damaged.

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How should I choose a service provider?

Not all window cleaning and pressure washing service providers are the same.  Finicky Window Cleaning encourages you to do your homework when choosing a service provider.  Here are some questions that you might want to consider:

Safety is the single most important factor when considering a service provider.  Finicky Window Cleaning is fully licensed and insured to protect your property and our employees.  The Finicky Window Cleaning team has undergone extensive safety training and is safety certified by the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA).  In addition, Finicky Window Cleaning provides on-going employee safety training.  At Finicky Window Cleaning safety is our top priority.

Generally you will not find large differences in service provider bids.  Beware of any cleaning service that significantly underbids its competitors.  Considerably lower bids are generally the result of the service provider’s inexperience or a lack of insurance coverage.  Finicky Window Cleaning abides by the national industry standards for pricing established by the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA) and Power Washers of North America (PWNA).  These prices have been set taking into consideration the need for general liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance.

Professional organizations help by providing universal standards for excellence.  Finicky Window Cleaning is a member of International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA) and Power Washers of North America (PWNA).  Each of these professional organizations has an Association Code of Ethics, which Finicky Window Cleaning takes very seriously.  As active members in these professional organizations, Finicky Window Cleaning stays on top of industry best practices and trends.

Organizations that are involved with their community are more credible and reliable.  Finicky Window Cleaning is a member of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce and our team members hold a board member position and a committee position.  In addition, we are members in Suncoast Community Associations Institute.  We are involved with many members of the local community and are always on the lookout as to how we can make a positive impact.  At Finicky Window Cleaning, we take an active role in shaping the future of our community.

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Should I keep screens on my windows?

Unless you rely on windows for consistent ventilation, keeping screens on your windows is not necessary.  In the days before air conditioning, screens were an absolute necessity.  Screens allowed for ventilating during the searing summer months and kept pesky mosquitoes and other bugs out.  With the invention of air conditioning and the increase of troublesome allergies, the disadvantages of window screens have begun to outweigh the advantages.

  • Screens are dust, paint and dirt traps.  This dirt and dust settles on to window sills and turns to mud in damp weather.  Modern vinyl-clad sills often become stained under such conditions.  Trapped dust that settles on glass or screens, when mixed with moisture, has a chemical reaction that forms a weak corrosive that over years can etch or stain the glass.
  • Screens cut the amount of light entering through the window by as much as 25%.  More light makes for brighter, bigger-feeling rooms.
  • Screening is not a source of security.  Aside from "special security" screens that are hardwired in to an electronic security system, regular window screens provide only the flimsiest of barriers between the inside and outside of your home.

If you depend upon outside ventilation for most of the year then window screens still provide good function and the benefits offset the costs.  However, if you are like many homeowners, only a few of your home's many windows are ever used for ventilation and even those only two or three times during the year.  Consider storing screens that aren't used.  Not only will the screens stay in better condition for when you do want to use them, but your home will be brighter and more spacious feeling.

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Should I wait until after the rainy season to have my windows cleaned?

Some people don’t clean their windows until after the rainy season because they believe the rain will just make them dirty again.  However, this is not true.  There are four major things that cause windows to become dirty:

  • Tree and plant pollen
  • Insect droppings and nests
  • Wind born dust
  • Salt from the ocean breeze

If any of these contaminates are present on the glass when it rains, the rain attaches itself and makes the windows look even worse.  However, if the windows are clean, the rain simply sheets off the clean glass and the windows remain cleaner.

Smart property managers of large complexes are aware of this and don’t hesitate to have their property windows cleaned during the rainy season.  Not only will their customers have a better view by not having to look through dirt streaked windows, but they get more for their money since their windows will stay cleaner longer!

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