Month: June 2020

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Window Cleaning 101

What Do You Need to Know About Window Cleaning?

If you have your own property, then you need to clean your windows professionally every once in a while. That’s why there are professional window cleaning services out there. But there are some certain questions you need to ask yourself so you can hire the best window cleaning service.

Window cleaning service professionals washing interior windows
Window cleaning professionals washing interior windows
  • The first question you should ask is whether the window cleaner is insured and licensed, or not. The best professional window cleaner must be insured and licensed. The insurance is to protect its employees in case they get injured while working. It’s also to protect your property in case accidents happen. Having a license means they are authentic and know how to provide window cleaning services professionally.
  • The second question you should ask is how long they have been in this business. The longer the service provider has been in this field, the better. Experience is everything in this line of work.
  • The third question you should ask is their price. Does the window cleaning service fit in your budget? If so, choose them. If not, you can go for some other window cleaning service provider as per your convenience. 

How often should windows be cleaned?

It does not matter how many windows you have in your house. You need to clean them every once in a while to keep your property presentable. It might differ from property to property as to how often they hire professional window cleaners to clean their windows. But on average it’s recommended to properly clean your windows twice a year, if you can afford it. However, some people prefer to wash their windows once a year, while others prefer to do it weekly.

The location of your house is also a factor in determining the frequency of cleaning your windows. If you happen to live in the hustle-bustle of the city, then it would be better for you to clean your windows often. But if your house is located in some rural area, then it would be enough for you to hire a window cleaning service once or twice a year.

What is included in Window cleaning? 

Each window cleaning service provider is different from others. Therefore, they offer you different things with their services. But there are some common things that you can expect from almost all the professional window washing service providers.

The work begins with a basic introduction to their service. Once the cleaning process starts, there are different kinds of tools and equipment that they are obligated to use. Some of the types of equipment they use are shoe covers, drop sheets, squeegees, and dusting equipment. They remove cobwebs, clean window glass, and sliding doors. They remove, clean, or replace window fly screens, and brush the window tracks, and sills.

Upon the completion of their work, if they happen to inquire about customer satisfaction, and leaving a review, it’s a good idea to provide this as a simple gesture. This is how window cleaning service providers get better at their job, and pulls in more clients.

What is the best way to clean windows without smearing? 

Cleaning the windows without smearing is not as easy as it sounds. The first thing is to use high-quality cleaning products in the process. In this case, good commercial products or natural homemade solutions can be used. In short, poor quality products or materials are not supposed to be used. The second thing is to handle the windows carefully. Rough handling can damage and scratch them. If you’re concerned, let a commercial window cleaneror a residential window cleaner do the job for you.

Keeping all this in mind will help you choose the best window cleaning service possible. This will save you a lot of time, money, and headaches. Once your windows are sparkling clean, it is time to move on to your next home improvement project. If you are considering adding a patio, check out this article on concrete patios.

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When Should You Call a Stucco Contractor?

How Bad Are My Stucco Cracks?

Nowadays, many people are reading misleading information about the cracks in their stucco.  Because of this, even a small crack can cause people unnecessary stress.  In this post, we will show the difference between normal cracking and excessive cracking, as well as reasons why they form.

Stucco contractor making repairs to a wall
Contractor using stucco to refinish and repair an exterior wall.

Why Does Stucco Crack More On Modern Houses?

Since it’s a cement product, it is prone to cracking.  However, if mixed correctly, it is a very durable substance, and in a lot of cases, will stay in tack for longer than the actual structure. Even though some stucco contractors may say otherwise, having it crack free is impossible.

Sometimes people notice an older home, made before the 1950’s, that miraculously have less cracks.  This is true. However, there are some reasons why.  When these homes were built, their studs were 2×4 inches, rather than the smaller size that is used now.  These studs were also kiln dried.  Additionally, the wood in construction came from trees that were much larger than the trees we have now, due to deforestation.  Therefore the amount of distortion in the lumber was way less compared to what is used in modern times, due to its size.  

When Do I Need Stucco Repair?

Small cracks do not indicate a problem.  This is a natural phenomenon. The California Contractors Licenses Board laid out a craftsmanship guide that covers cracks.  Its guide stated, “Hairline cracks if not excessively numerous are acceptable. If cracks exceed 3/32 inches, it is unacceptable and should be repaired”.

What Is The Most Common Reason For Needing A Restucco?

Cement stucco fractures for a lot of reasons.  The main cause of this is usually plywood installation.  First, they appear similar to a spider crack.  They don’t form at plywood joints, basically since the cracks form where there are weak spots in the stucco.  These may be located anywhere on the plywood, and necessarily on the edges and ends of it. 

Even though the American Plywood Association recommends otherwise, the majority of plywood sheathing has its ends and edges stuck directly together, rather than leaving the 1/8th of an inch space between them to account for movement caused by weather and other natural phenomena.   Additionally, this 1/8th of an inch is recommended since a hydrogen bond is used to adhere plywood to its surface, and just a little bit of water can negatively affect this bond.  Naturally, since the adhesive is exposed to elements more predominantly at the edges of plywood, the adhesive loses its bond here, and causes the plywood to disconnect from the surface it’s applied to. This disconnection causes the plywood to jut outward, creating force that causes cracks. 

What Other Cracks Require Stucco Repair?

Inadequate moisture curing could require you to need a stucco contractor.

Additionally, if the contractor does not apply the proper thickness of stucco, then it becomes more susceptible to cracking.  Tests have demonstrated that just by adding another eighth of an inch, it will require twice the amount of force to cause it to crack. 

If you live in a place where the soil around your residence becomes constantly dry and then wet, this can move your structure enough to form cracks.  A common place for these to form is at the edges of doors and windows, which are traditionally weaker parts of buildings.  These, however, are considered commonplace, and shouldn’t be a huge cause for concern.  In Santa Fe, due to elevation and desert environment, weather can change rather dramatically, going from hot to cold within a short period of time.  This leads to wood framing to expand at a rate that is different than stucco, and this irregularity could require stucco repair. If you are thinking about cleaning your windows to complete your home improvement project, see our window cleaning article.