How to save your windows during construction projects
As window cleaners working in Tri-State area of New York City we see a lot of windows in all sorts of settings, and, more often than we would like to, we come across the windows that are damaged permanently by seemingly unrelated construction projects. More so the damage remains undetected underneath a typical thick layer of dirt for a long time up until the owner decides to clean his or her windows. The window cleaners will then have to be the ones who deliver the news many years after the original project is over when it is to late to do anything. So we have come up with the list of most dangerous projects for your windows and the things that are important to know to avoid potential damage:
The most dangerous projects for windows:
1.Painting
What can happen and how:
Paint on the glass.
While it is not permanent damage, removing it is associated with costs and the risk of scratching the glass, if not done properly.
Scratches.
Painters are single most common, if not the only, source of scratches on the glass. If glass is not protected during painting process, there will be splashes and strokes of paint all over it. Removing the paint from the glass involves using scrappers, which is a very delicate and time consuming procedure, that many painters don’t pay attention to. In most cases they don’t have appropriate equipment and expertise to tackle the problem safely. This inevitably leads to scratches.
Paint-shut windows.
If paint is applied over the moving parts or edges of the frame of a window, then when everything dries up, the moving sash of the window will be glued to the frame, paint-shut. It would not open or close. Opening the window will be a time consuming procedure that is likely to mess up the finish.
What to do:
Just talking to your painters and showing them that you know about potential problems with the paint on the glass will usually suffice for them to make sure that windows are handled properly during painting and no shortcuts are taken. That is protecting the glass with sheets of paper and masking tape, such that no paint gets on the glass in the first place. It is a good practice that is routine for all self-respecting painters. Same goes for the paint shut windows.
Potential damage:
Scratched glass.
things to do:
Talk to contractors, express your concerns about potential scratches and have them protect the glass with sheets and masking tape. By the very least have them protect the edges of the glass by masking tape.
2. Welders.
The damage: molten iron droplets generated by welding
Installation of new gratings, fixing up fire escape and all sorts of projects that involve welding in close proximity to glass are the things that very often leave the glass of your windows .
if you have a welding project whether it is new gratings for the windows or fixing up fire escapes chances are it is something in a close proximity to your windos
