It would be a big deal and a grand step for the IWCA I-14 standard - plus the IWCA certification program. Now that you can proctor the final exam locally, even the union may want to certify all their window cleaners. (We found a proctor locally for $30.00 per student - it cost $330 per person to certify our guys as High-Rise Specialists.)

Mark Reinhart
Award Window Cleaning Services, Inc - Grand Rapids, MI

Sometimes it's rust from a rusty nail underneath the siding. A little Gutter Zap on a wet rag usually works. The sooner you catch it the easier to clean up.

Geof White
Valley Window Cleaning, Inc. - Kaukauna, WI

If you see it coming out as you clean, give the surface several light rinses. Then after you get all your hoses rolled up and the truck loaded, walk back around the house with a wet towel (and an extension pole if it's a 2-story house) to wipe up any more that appear.

Douglas W. Hodgson
ABS Professional Window Cleaning - Greensboro NC

I believe the staining comes from the fiberboard wall sheathing behind the siding (which is brown). I think Tyvek (house wrap) can minimize that, but was not required (at least in Minnesota) until 10 or 15 years ago.

We try to hit the siding straight on instead of under the bottom lip of the siding. A wet rag has taken the stains off for us. We have not had to use any chemical.

Chris Pitkin
Karin's Services, LLC - Minneapolis, MN

Solar panels benefit from being maintained and cleaned, and if anyone is going to do it, we as window cleaning professionals are pretty well postured to perform the service, especially if you use pure water and a waterfed pole.

I can't give safety advice here as I can't cover every possible contingency, but can recommend directly contacting some of the companies that sell and install PV panels. Besides being a source of safety information, they may also be able to recommend you to their clients for maintenance cleans.

As far as pricing, I aim for an hourly rate. Be careful about making specific claims concerning boosting photo-voltaic panel efficiency. The cooling effect of the cleaning water on the panel will boost it's efficiency temporarily, but when the panel gets back to temp you may not see that much.

Paul LeGrand
Blue Sky Window Cleaning - Stowe, VT

As far as pricing goes, you have to be sure you're safe, and I'm not sure you can assess that very well over the phone. A few safety considerations:

- Generally, a PV solar power array which is known to meet National Electrical Code standards will be weather tight and can be safely cleaned with a waterfed pole.
- Obtain assurance from the owner or operator that the system is built to code - also seek assurance that control panel readings show the entire system is operating properly.
- Where compliance is unknown - for example a DIY system - the solar power array should be inspected by a qualified electrical inspector before cleaning.
- Don't clean damaged panels.
- Don't apply undue pressure to panels - no standing, kneeling, leaning, etc. that can cause breakage.
- Do not subject panels to impact that can cause breakage. (Falling poles, for example.)
- Do not apply stress to any component, for instance by using the edge of a panel for a handhold, or pulling hoses across cables.
- Do not stand on cables.
- Standard roof safety measures apply. Do not use any part of the system as an anchor for a fall restraint system.

Gary Mauer
Window Cleaning Network - Oconomowoc, WI

If you have a doodlebug accessory to fit onto a small pole, you could put your steel wool on the bottom and scrub that way.

Chris Thompson
Attention to Detail - West Branch, MI

Since you don't have the luxury of waiting for an order to come in you could try an over the counter chemical tomorrow. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, Lime-Away, CLR, even vinegar is a less aggressive but effective treatment. Any of these will reduce the amount of scrubbing, although increasing the need for protection of both you and the structure you are cleaning. (Read and follow all the warnings.)

Paul Gaston
Leo's Window Cleaning - North Texas

Window cleaning suppliers have professional hard water stain removers, but in a pinch maybe an over the counter hard water stain remover will help. The stains don't sound all that bad if you're already removing with steel wool.

Some of the windows cleaning suppliers sell steel wool by the roll. There are also steel wool washer sleeves. Another hot ticket is the "Woolit"(a small sanding type block that accepts both steel & bronze wool). Woolit also has a swivel version similar to a doodlebug.

Craig Aldrich
Sparkle Window Cleaning - Canyon Lake, CA

If you're the one holding the light, your insurance might deny a claim based on the light being in your "Care, Custody and Control" - which is excluded by most general liability insurance. When the customer gets involved in holding the neon light, it's actually in their care, custody and control - not yours.

Gary Mauer
Window Cleaning Network - Oconomowoc, WI

You don’t even have to hit the sign to damage it. Just holding it out to clean behind it can cause damage. If your squeegee is on a pole, the squeegee can slip off the pole, smashing the sign. Or your squeegee can slip out of your hand. Or the sign can happen to go dark the same week you cleaned and you get blamed because you were working near it. You don’t need the liability.

Douglas W. Hodgson
ABS Professional Window Cleaning - Greensboro, NC

I just opened an email from a customer with a bill for $365 to repair a neon sign our guys broke while cleaning the windows at an Arby's!

And about 10 years ago I was cleaning a hanging neon sign. The transformer for the sign was hanging with the sign. All of a sudden I felt this terrible thump - it had somehow come loose and hit me in the head. I don't remember how many stitches I took.

I have received electrical shocks from these little buggers on other occasions. You might be surprise how much voltage they use http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_sign_transformer

Robert Lamb
Rob's Window Cleaning - Paducah, KY

One of the best ways around these liabilities is simply a policy of only cleaning what's accessible. When I bid an account I explain that we cannot expose ourselves to break/damaging something worth more that the price of the current service. However if an employee of theirs would like to make it accessible we will be more than happy to clean the window in question.

If they seem unreasonable or don't understand then you're better off passing on that job.

Jared Dunn
Clear Window Solutions - Ashland, VA