OK been in business 7 yrs… Have 5 rigs going so things are good… Just recently I’ve been having an issue with steeling windows… Have not had this issue since moving to a good surficant… The water where I’m at here is hard very hard. The water reclamation guys from the county have let. E know it’s even harder than it used to be… I’m looking to add a water softener system to my feed tanks. Anybody have recommendations of a good product? Or a fix to this issue?
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The water around me is hard too. I always tell my customers there will be light spotting on the window. Then I recommend a window cleaner. I don’t know if this helps.
I do PW and WC. Our TDS here is around 230 and I can rinse all day but will still mess up the windows. My advantage is being able to offer that service as well, but frankly it would be nice to just rinse with deionized and call it a day.
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This topic has come up before, and my opinion was unpopular. 
I would feel bad offering a service that leaves their windows looking worse. Hence why I always price my housewashes including window cleaning with my DI water fed system.
I understand your position, you are a pressure washing pro, not a window cleaner.
I just hate the idea of leaving any portion of a customer’s home worse off for my coming.
The other thing too is, for them to have to go contract a window cleaner, they are paying premium.
If you added it as a service, you could make more and save your clients money.
I personally have picked up tons of new residential work because I offer one stop shopping for pressure washing and window cleaning.
You can get a simple WFP system and the house wash does the heavy lifting, quickly making sure the windows dry clear is value for your client, and makes you look better.
But, I also understand if you just want to be “not a window cleaner”
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Other than using some type of DI system like Dan said, for kicks you could try this. Most dishwasher softeners are acidic since it’s the minerals in the water that cause the white haze. You could buy a gal or so of vinegar and just drop your ds tube in to do a final rinse of the windows. That may or may not be strong enough, depending on your machine, but would be a cheap remedy if it works.
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Good idea, but I don’t like to roll the dice. DI with WFP is tried and true. Easy, and results are consistent.
Just as I use you guys, and your advice to not experiment on my clients when pressure washing.
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Would distilled water and a rinsing agent in a pump up sprayer help with the streaking?
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Smart never thought of the vinegar… I do have a window cleaning company and that is an option I offer… Issue is I didnt hsvr this issue until the last few months when the water company changed thier filtering. Was hoping for a solution other than charging them for another service… Does any one know of filtering the water down works?
I get it but the reason your opinion is unpopular is because for most people it isn’t necessary. Lots of the homes I was never even notice that the windows aren’t perfect. Some people I wash get their maids to clean the windows every so often so it never bothers them. And the rest I give to a window cleaner. Who also recommends me for house washing.
Not only am I not a window cleaner but having the recommendation of a very prominent window cleaner in my area makes me more money than washing windows.
I would say I may lose 1-2 jobs a year because I don’t offer window washing as an add on. I’ll take those odds all day.
Each persons business is different. A higher ticket price may be what some are after but I like to offer affordable quick work. In, work, collect check and out. And that works for me.
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I offer full home detail service with several line items on the estimate (and final invoice). I explain to the customer ahead of time that the windows will be clean but sometimes there may be spotting or light streaking after. I also tell them that we offer window detail and separate it as a line item. I have a waterfed pole and the Tucker DI spot free detailing system (which is a 1 part di filter that brings the water to less than 10 tds.) It doesn’t take up too much room and works great. This way I set their expectations if they don’t want the detail and also they are happy to hear that they don’t have to hire another pro to do it (the outsides anyway). I also offer to do the roof, gutters, fence, flat work etc, which may be different than others offer. In California there is not much mold or mildew to get rid of and people look to get their home washed for different reasons, usually as a luxury want rather than a necessity. What I used to do before I got that system is rinse with final wash, (agent halt from Powerwashstore same type of product) that really helps the windows rinse better due to the neutralizer and waxing agents. I do like @Racer idea about the vinegar and may try that on someone who doesn’t want the detail treatment to see how it works! Having better results without the extra work sounds great!
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Just remember to draw it straight out of vinegar bottle or separate bucket. Don’t mix with your regular hw mix. It is acidic.
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You could hook up a full cube DI tank before your buffer tank. You’d be soft washing and rinsing with pure water.
The resin changes would depend on your TDS and frequency of use.
But even with that setup, you’re not going to get spotless windows, in fact, you’ll have streaks. I know because I’ve tried. You would need to be able to rinse the glass without the water touching the frames, which is nearly impossible with a pressure washer.
The correct setup would be a water fed pole and purification system.
https://windowcleaner.com/xero-di-package?pt=9G
We sell them here. Contact me if you’re interested.
Jordie
862 312 2633
WCr/PWR Sales Rep
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I have the triple crown 4 stage system now… But like that xero… Looks like I may be in the market for another one soon so will definitely contact
I read some posts a while back of guys using Agent Halt, a SH Nuetralizer, to keep the sh from streaking the windows. Anyone ever tried it? I’ve had my mix run from frames onto the windows and dry with white streaks. I usually just resoap because water alone won’t get it off.
I use final wash (an unpopular softwash systems brand here at pwra) and it does help. I still have a bottle of the 6x which is lasting a while but once I run out plan on getting agent halt. It works ok but not perfect like a water fed pole. For many customers (especially the ones who aren’t paying extra for perfect results) it may be good enough, but then again not sure how it holds up against the very hard water either. I would also like to hear another’s opinion of agent halt!
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Just don’t be half-way please. Either take the position that @Innocentbystander takes, you are not a window cleaner.
Or, get a simple DI tank and CF pole and add window cleaning to your service. Charge more, and it is SUPER easy after a house wash.
In a softwater area you can probably get away with a rinse, but even then, you cant rinse dirt off.
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Did anyone ever try this?
I am primarily a window cleaner, and am just now pressure washing, but the one or two times I put it in my mix the windows streaked horribly. Vinegar is also acidic and can etch metal window frames. I wouldn’t recommend it personally. DI and or RO wouldnt be perfect or cheap, but I personally think it would be the best option to reduce spots.
Honestly, streaking windows is from a lack of rinsing properly. Spotting windows on The other hand is from hard water drying on the glass. They are two different issues.
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DI water is bad on pumps, It’s not recommended
