Most people only think of clean windows when they hire a window cleaner. They might even figure that they can do it themselves or have an employee do it. Thereby saving so much money. If their employee is able to clean the windows to their satisfaction then they have accomplished their goal. Or so they think!
The bottom line is however that there is more to be gained by hiring a professional then perfectly clean windows. Especially by having a regular maintenance cleaning program in place. For commercial, store front, and residential customers. The very first is Routine Inspections. Which could under certain circumstances be capable of actually saving thousands of dollars!
Maintenance Cleaning/Routine Inspections;...It takes a keen educated eye to identify the problems that I will explain below. The very first step is to properly and routinely clean all windows. Both inside and out.
Scratch Maintenance/Microscopic Analysis;...Scratches are usually impossible to see when windows are dirty. They can be any size shape or pattern. The trained eye can usually tell where they came from. Especially with the help of a hand held 40X power lighted microscope. Scratches always start with Point Impact Fractures (PIF). No matter what the thickness. From very fine to rather thick and deep. The concern here is the PIF. If it has a leg/crack then the entire window could "crack out" in a moment without any warning with the slightest pressure from a finger. A microscope will help determine this. But an in house DIY employee is not going to be able to provide this.
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Another matter regarding scratches is there are special products that will help prevent them. An IGSA Professional will have these available. Both maintenance products and services such as Nanovations NG1010. Certain glass surfaces are prone to scratches too. They are scratch sensitive due to protruding inclusions buried in the glass surface at the float glass factory. Such a surface precludes the use of certain products used to remove things like paint or ketchup.
Point Indent Fracture (PIF) Microscopic Analysis;...PIFs can be caused by many different hard objects. Such can be very small or larger surface holes that look like craters under the microscope. If there are no legs/cracks coming out from them they are relatively safe. But if a microscopic analysis detects even a single crack/leg just a little pressure is enough to spread that crack right across the window in a fraction of a second. Cracks don't care either what that window would cost to replace should this happen. Four hundred or four thousand. The best way to help prevent this from happening if a PIF has a leg is to cover it over with a vinyl sign. Hidden PIFs don't attract finger tips.
Negative Deflection Ananlysis;...This happens when either argon or nitrogen gas leaves the middle of an insulating glass unit (IGU). The IGU becomes concave or sucked in. Which can cause an implosion. Especially if the window has a PIF with a crack or without a crack for that matter. If you think your windows do not have a negative deflection because they are brand new from the window manufacturer, think again. I have found many brand new windows that are concave.
Seal Failure Anlaysis;...When the seal fails on an IGU it will fog up under humid conditions. At first failed units are not obvious. Especially when the window is dirty. When it is visible it appears clear. When the water vapor etches the inside of the IGU it creates a white haze. This blocks vision and looks very bad. But again the experienced trained eye can detect what an employee will never see. But still only when the window is perfectly clean.
Low E Coating Analysis;...So you have just had a house or commercial site built with many windows. They are all supposed to be Low E to save energy summer and winter. But how to you know that every window is Low E. I have seen many buildings that were actually missing the Low E coating.
Delamination Analysis;...The PVB interlayer on laminated plates can actually separate from the glass leaving either a weird jagged edge or the appearance of a patch coming out from the edge.
Stained/Etched Glass;...Windows that have this sickness many times can be restored. But you will not know unless the window has been professionally cleaned. Such surface damage will need to be restored by a professional that specializes in this type of work.
Most inspections discussed in this post are free during the routine maintenance/cleaning by members of IGSA. Which is the most important reason why you should have your windows professionally cleaned and not choose to go the DIY route.
Written by Henry Grover Jr.
6034989474
Glass Smart Consulting
Founder of IGSA and NEGSA
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