[Moderator David@stives]

In light of another recent post, i thought i would collect some ides for literature for cleaning in the rain.

Here is some things i found on the net and might give you some ideas about creating your own literature.

quote

Q: Will rain affect the quality of work?
A: One of the main problems with cleaning windows in the traditional way is that even a small shower of rain can comprimise the quality of the finish. However, as rain water is nearly as pure as the water we use, even in a heavy shower the windows will dry clean. For this reason we offer a rain guarantee.

Q: What is a rain guarantee?
A: If you feel that our cleaning in the rain has affected the quality of our work, simply call us within 48 hours and we will rectfy the problem.

[Moderator David@stives]

Question: Some businesses say a few clients state that they do not want their windows cleaned because ‘the rain will just make them dirty again during the winter rainy season’. Is this really a fact?

Answer: It is a common perception in parts of Europe, but in the USA, it is the ‘normal thing’ for window cleaners to carry on in all weather except storms and high winds.

The three major things that cause windows to become dirty are:

Pollen
Insect droppings and nest building
Dust
If these are present on the glass when it rains, the residue in the rain attaches itself to the dirt and often makes the windows look worse.

However if the windows are cleaned, then the rain will simply sheet off the clean glass and the windows continue to remain clean.

Many property managers of large complexes are aware of this, so therefore their properties’ windows are cleaned during the rainy season, e.g. the NY University: “Window cleaners shall perform work reasonably assigned to them on rainy and snowy days. Window cleaners shall not be required to work on a sill on which there remains an accumulation of snow or ice or other slippery substances.”

They get more for their money since the windows will stay cleaner longer.
Their clients also have a more enhanced winter by not having to look through dirt streaked windows.
Why won’t some window cleaners work in the rain?

Because they don’t want to get wet.

For some people, window cleaning is a something to top up their dole money, or a hobby, but for professionals, it is their livelihood. They have families to support. They need to work in all weathers except high winds and storms. Such is legal in the UK, as it is in line with requirements of the government Health & Safety Executive (Source: HSE Information Sheet MISC613)

Summary: Doesn’t rain make the windows dirtier? No. Residue in rain attaches itself to the dirt that is already there, often making windows look worse. However, rain simply sheets off of clean window glass and they remain clean. Enhance your winters by enjoying clean windows!

[Moderator David@stives]

Quote off some guy

Rain does not make the windows dirty, dirt does. Dust accumulates on the outside of the glass from lawn mowers, leaf blowers, tree pollen, car exhaust and many other sources. This dust settles as a uniform layer on the glass. When it rains, the rain drops push the dust into different patterns and after the water dries the dust remains on the glass. This new "mud residue" is now highly visible because it is no longer uniformly spread but is sporadic throughout the pane. Clean glass will stay clean after a rain because once the rain water dries, there is nothing left behind to obscure the view. 
 
 
 
 


off another guy

Residue in rain attaches itself to dirt that is already there, often making windows look worse. However, if the windows are clean, the rain water simply falls off.
The three main reasons windows become dirty are:
Pollen
Insect droppings
Dust
If these are present on the glass when it rains, the residue in the rain attaches itself to the dirt and often makes the windows look worse. So if the windows have recently been cleaned, then the rain will simply sheet off the clean glass and the windows continue to remain clean.
 
 
 

[The Seven Bays Window Cleaning Company]

I agree with what your saying Dave.

But the trouble is where we live ( in the South West) is that the majority of times its raining, its also blowing a wind laden with salt particles - that leave a terrible result.

A few weeks ago we had a very strong south westerly blowing, with a bit of drizzle. I was cleaning a big property on the coast. The windows were drying with a even layer of salt particles, no steaks, but a covering of salt that was very noticeable. I did the fronts again, but same result.  I ended up blading them all off to achieve something that was acceptable - even then they were not perfect.

I personally don't have a problem cleaning in the rain as long as there's little wind. If its blowing a westerly, and raining I not happy with the results.

I think the wind is the more of an issue with WFP.

[Chris Galloway]

tHANKS DAVE ALWAYs NICE FOR EXTRA INFO TO ADD TO THE WEBSITE :p

woops caps soz

[Moderator David@stives]

I think you have hit the nail on the head, it is the wind which is the problem.

To tell you the truth, i am past caring, I just grit my teeth and get on with it and handle and complaints as they arrive.

No Moaning customers are going to stop me working, they either accept it or sack us, the choice is there's

[Sir Squeaky]

Sorry, but rain can make the windows dirty.

I've cleaned my own windows before rain, and they're dusty afterwards.
Same goes for the car or van.

Window cleaners always kid themselves that it doesn't, so they can tell the customer that.

[Moderator David@stives]

I dont kid myself.

There are many types of rain and so many variables, ie showers , drizzle etc.

And given that most areas have at least 100 days with rain of some kind where do you draw the line.

Like i said earlier, i run my business on my terms, I work in the rain and if the customers dont like it, I will help them to find one who just works in the sunshine.

[simon knight]

Dave, I'm in full agreement with everything you've written.

However: My customers don't want 'em done in the rain...end of!

My customers fund my mortgage, gas bill, electric bill, council tax, water rates, food, holiday money, beer money, fAg money (whoops...cigarette money :).the list goes on...

I'm in the service industry and as such have to bow to what my customers want...which sucks, but quite honestly I have to work on their terms. (or not work for them at all).

Put another way: I don't take my car to the car wash if it's peeing down.

[Chris Galloway]

Put another way: I don't take my car to the car wash if it's peeing down.

Nor would I - by the time i got it back, the crap of the roads would be on the car.

But i dont think thats a very good analogy you have chosen, but i know what you mean! 

I think everything about this rain talk really has only come about as a thread here stated they wer cancelled for a clean cos it HAD rained during the night!

I work in light rain/drizzle, but not in much heavier, unless i need to.

[Moderator David@stives]

Simon

My customers know how we operate, we tell them when we take them on, that we work in the rain.

I give them the option to re-consider, there and then.

None of them refuse, i dont take liberties by working in driving rain with gales, but every other type of rain we work in.

Its your business, you set the terms.

[simon knight]

Dave, I hear you mate, but my custies won't have it done in rain. OK if i start a job and it starts raining then yes I'll crack on.

I think the main reason is that 90% of the places i clean are mid terrace and the only way to the back (in most cases) is through the house and they don't want my wet and muddy shoes and ladders soiling their carpets...can't say i blame them!

At this time of year I factor in that at least 1 or 2 days a week I'm gonna be rained off, so I work a full Saturday to catch up. It's not ideal but then how many jobs in this world are ideal?

I get by...just! :

[AuRavelling79]

Sorry, but rain can make the windows dirty.

I've cleaned my own windows before rain, and they're dusty afterwards.
Same goes for the car or van.

Window cleaners always kid themselves that it doesn't, so they can tell the customer that.

I think this is partly true in industrial areas - I have a commercial job in Avonmouth that is about a mile from where the ships unload coal onto the conveyors to the rail terminal - if it is windy and rainy in the wrong direction (westerly) then this coal dust mixed with rain messes up the windows somewhat.

In Chepstow you only need a South-westerly wind (quite often) and you'll cop Avonmouth and Newport's fall out! If it's a North-westerly (just as often) then you should get none because the weather has come from the less industrialised Brecons and Cambrian mountains.

Buy yourself a weather-vane, Rog!

[Jeff Brimble]

I use rain waterharvesting  for cleaning and have educated my custys to appreciate that there is no difference. They dont bat an eyelid anymore

[simon knight]

Me: It's a bit drizzly but it won't effect the final finish.
Custy: Don't want ''em done in the rain.
Me: But rain water is pure and really won't make a difference.
Custy: Don't want 'em done in the rain.
Me: Look I like to give you a regular service.
Custy: Don't want 'em done in the rain.
Me: But what if it wasn't raining now but rained 2 minutes after I left?
Custy: Don't want 'em done in the rain.
Me: I can't just work when it's dry, I have bills to pay.
Custy: I don't want 'em done in the rain.
Me: So I can only work for you when it's dry?
Custy: Yes. I don't 'em done in the rain.

This from a good bi-monthly customer who pays annually £180 for me to clean his windows. He doesn't care whether they're cleaned on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday....he has just one stipulation: Don't clean them in the rain. This guy is the customer and I'm not about to "educate" him. I'll just do his windows under his not so terrible terms and take his £180pa.

[pjulk]

I do work in showers or drizzle and i seem to be able to get away with that.

But anything more i don't as i have had complaints before about working in the rain.

Plus i don't fancy getting soaked.

If its light rain or drizzle and windy then i also don't work as the wind just blows the crap straight back on the window.

I think wind is more of a nuisance than rain because a lot of time's when it rains you do get breaks in the rain when you can work.

But when its pretty windy there seems to be not let up in the wind.

[prestigeclean]

its everyones personal choice if they work in the rain , personally i do unless its torrential, one thing is for sure you ain,t gonna make much money if you don,t regards alan

[foxy]

i clean shop windows 6 days a week and the custies are not bothered if it is light rain; they think you are taking the mick if it is driving rain though. the majority of filth we take from windows and then clean is traffic film, dirt, phlegm, vomit and (more than once, human faeces). rain water is not the same as filtered (pure) water or all the WFP cleaners would fill their tanks from the tap and not filter it. (i am trad). leaving rain on the glass is not good for the customer, their satisfaction or your pocket. window cleaning is a decent job and we have to take the rough with the smooth; (you cant work in a down pour even if you blind them with science about how good the pure water system is). peace  

[Wayne Thomas]

I'll work in the rain providing it's not driving rain from strong winds as it's a waste of time otherwise. Never had a single complaint about the cleanliness of working in the rain just the odd moan from the odd customer who thinks we only work on sunny days

[windowwashers]

i clean shop windows 6 days a week and the custies are not bothered if it is light rain; they think you are taking the mick if it is driving rain though. the majority of filth we take from windows and then clean is traffic film, dirt, phlegm, vomit and (more than once, human faeces). rain water is not the same as filtered (pure) water or all the WFP cleaners would fill their tanks from the tap and not filter it. (i am trad). leaving rain on the glass is not good for the customer, their satisfaction or your pocket. window cleaning is a decent job and we have to take the rough with the smooth; (you cant work in a down pour even if you blind them with science about how good the pure water system is). peace  

Saying that your trad and that you cant clean them in a down pour says to me you do not know what your talking about (sry if that sounded harsh, i'm a little blunt) we cleaned a guys windows the other day and it was total down pour and I got a call today from him, he said windows are perfect even though I didnt think they would be I thought I would trust your guy as you told me about this when quoting, they dried fine, he had gone to another customers hopuse and asked what they paid and wanted a reduction in his price lol I explained some more to him and said I will time it and also meantioned that the said customer he had knocked on had been a customer for over 8 years and to be honest there price needs to go up, end of call he was happy, and the rain does not bother him at all.

As jeff said "educate" and then understand that they can be cleaned in the rain, windy yes can be a problem that why we offer a rain guarentee (I got laughed at when I started that by other window cleaners on here, oh how times change