What is high rise window cleaning? It is a specialized service to clean windows on multi-story buildings such as skyscrapers, commercial towers, hotels and apartment complexes. These tall structures also known as high-rise buildings or rise buildings require professional techniques, specialized equipment and strict safety protocols to get spotless results and protect high-rise window cleaners.
High-Rise Window Cleaning
Unlike traditional window cleaning for houses or low-rise buildings, high-rise window cleaning involves working at great heights, often hundreds of feet in the air. Professional window cleaners use advanced equipment like rope access systems, BMUs and high-rise window cleaning platforms to clean glass surfaces safely and efficiently. This type of commercial window cleaning enhances the exterior appearance of buildings and prolongs the life of glass windows.
Cleaning is Important
- Aesthetics: Clean, streak-free windows make skyscraper windows look great, and impress clients, tenants and visitors.
- Glass Integrity: Dirt, grime, salt residue and air pollution can damage glass. Regular window cleaning prevents this.
- Natural Light: Clean windows allow more natural light into office buildings, improving work environments and reducing lighting costs.
- Health and Hygiene: Especially in medical facilities, shopping centres and other high-traffic buildings, clean commercial windows improve hygiene and air quality.
How Cleaning is Done?
There are several ways to do high-rise window cleaning depending on the building structure, accessibility and risk assessment:
Rope Access (Abseiling Window Cleaning)
Rope access window cleaning is one of the most efficient ways of cleaning. Rope access technicians, secured with safety harnesses and safety belts, descend the building using specialized rope access equipment. Ideal for access window cleaning on buildings with limited roof space or complex architecture. Anchor Safe Rope Access and Skywalker Rope Access are examples of companies using modern rope access techniques.
BMUs (Building Maintenance Units)
Building Maintenance Units are permanent movable platforms installed on rooftops. These systems have cradles or gondolas that travel vertically along skyscraper windows, allowing professional high-rise window cleaners to safely access windows across the facade.
Water-Fed Pole Systems
Water-fed pole systems, which use telescopic extension poles and purified water, are good for mid-rise buildings. These systems reduce soapy residue and water stains without the need for chemicals.
Cherry Pickers and Elevated Platforms
These lift professional cleaners to where they need to be, to access windows on buildings with complex shapes or limited access. Used in high-rise window cleaning projects for lower skyscrapers or commercial buildings.
Is it Safe?
When done by trained and certified height safety specialists, high-rise window cleaning is very safe. Following safety standards, proper training, safety equipment, spare parts, and an impeccable safety record means minimal risk of injury. Cleaners use a combination of safety harnesses, rope access techniques, descent devices, and backup devices and follow strict safety guidelines to have a spotless safety record.
How Often Should Be Cleaned?
Frequency depends on factors like location, foot traffic, building usage and weather conditions:
- Commercial buildings: Every 3 to 6 months
- Hotels and apartment complexes: Every 4 to 6 months
- Coastal, industrial or high-traffic areas: More often due to salt residue, bird droppings from feathered friends or dirty water splashing from busy streets or bodies of water
Regular window cleaning ensures your windows don’t get dirty or absolutely filthy, and preserves the look and function of the actual windows.
Choosing a High-Rise Window Cleaning Service
When choosing a high-rise window cleaning company or access window cleaning specialists, consider:
- Experience and years of experience in high-rise cleaning
- Impeccable record and reviews
- Use of advanced water filtration units and art window cleaning equipment
- Adherence to safety protocols and safety regulations
- Custom maintenance plans for your high-rise window cleaning project
Look for companies that employ rope-access window cleaners and abseil window cleaners with access to modern rope-access window cleaning systems.
If you’re looking for expert high rise window cleaning Melbourne businesses and property managers can trust, it’s important to choose a team with a proven track record of safety and quality.
Conclusion
High-rise window washing is a vital maintenance task for some of the tallest buildings, from 21-storey buildings to modern commercial towers. It requires technical skill, advanced equipment, safety measures and high standards to ensure the safety of both cleaners and building occupants. Whether you’re a building manager, facilities manager or building owner, investing in high-rise window cleaning services gives you both aesthetic and functional benefits.
FAQ
What qualifications should high-rise window cleaners have?
High-rise window cleaners should be rope access window cleaners or abseil window cleaning professionals. They should have IRATA or similar qualifications and loads of abseil window cleaning experience.
Can high-rise window cleaning be done in bad weather?
No, high-rise window washing is not done in bad weather conditions like rain, storm or windy conditions. It could be dangerous.
How long does it take to clean the building?
The time to clean a high-rise building varies depending on building height, number of windows and high-rise window cleaning system used. It could take a few hours to several days.
Is high-rise eco-friendly window cleaning expensive?
High-rise window cleaning may seem costly but it’s an affordable window cleaning solution compared to damage that could be done by neglect. Prices vary by height, access complexity and frequency.
Do cleaners use chemicals on windows?
Most professional window cleaners use purified water, hot water, warm water or soapy water depending on the dirt level. Eco-friendly solutions are used to prevent soapy residue and to get a quality clean.
Keith Scott