Skylights at bleach in-between panes of glass - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Danny Cronauer · SoftWash Systems Certified

Skylights at bleach in-between panes of glass

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Danny,

It is VERY UNLIKELY your crews that did that.

1. The pattern is too consistent.

If there had been a leak or a splashing from a bad seal then there would be runs or splotches. There would also not be seam to seam coverage of the inside Payne.

2. As you said you used a light SoftWash fan spray and there was no pressure that could have blown through a seal.

If this was even possible you would see a leak on some but not others.

So what is likely here,

The windows / sky lights have a glass outer window and a Plexiglas inner window that has been UV damaged. This is evident in that the effect is so consistent on the inner Payne.

So why didn't the homeowner notice it before?

1. Homeowners often notice damages or conditions they before overlooked because they just paid a heap of money to have their home cleaned. They are now looking it over in a critical eye to make sure you did a good job and they got their moneys worth. It is common that for years they have overlooked a condition, (like oxidized sky lights) and are now just realizing they are damaged or aged.

2. Often our cleaning uncovers conditions obscured by the bacteria and fungal infection. For skylights this is common. Like the roof the sky lights have a film of fungus and algae on them and when the roof is cleaned we often treat the sky lights as well. Now suddenly there is new light coming from them and the customer because they just paid for this service looks up. The condition was always there, we just now made it obvious.

Often customers of good moral character and sound mind and body will understand this and accept this once you point it out. Sometimes you have customers who just want something for nothing and demand you fix it even though you didn't cause it. Sometimes you just get crazy or even lonely customers that bug you about this for a point of human interaction because they are crazy. I have even seen widows do this specially if they are elderly because they are lonely and just honestly need human companionship. Just make sure you judge quickly what you have here and make sure the customer understands this is not caused by your crews or process.

However if it is a lonely widow or even gentlemen that is acting out for attention show compassion on them, you will be there one day yourself and your local softwasher may be your only friend that day. You will need to respect them and be their friend. Spend a little time with them and show them the love they are craving. It is surprising how I am seeing this more and more in our elder generation.

AC

Danny Cronauer · SoftWash Systems Certified

Thanks AC,
I didn't think it was anything our guys could have done. We have run into the old lonely customer many times. The guys makes sure to take their breaks with the customer on these jobs.
This guy isn't old or lonely and he swears it wasn't there before. One of the windows did have streaks that looked like they were from SH.. but once again, how could we get them in-between the windows. The seal would have had to been broken. I never had to do this with a customer, I don't want to leave him hanging. Besides telling the customer he needs new glass in his skylights any other suggestions?

Zach Maynard · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Yeah looks like the seal is shot. there are companies that can fix that and make them look good again though.

Barry Landis · Sophmore Member

Yes, definitely the seal. If it was from your guys there would still be condensation between the panes from the cleaning. I just pressure washed my storage building last month and some water has found its way between the panes on one window and it still has some condensation in today from a month ago.

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Barry you should have soft washed it.

Mario Ciottariello · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Definitely bad seals on double pane window.

Barry Landis · Sophmore Member

Michael Derose wrote:
Barry you should have soft washed it.

Hey Mike, it was an old barn with peeling paint. I was just prepping it for my landlord, he was going to paint the building. The window seal was shot from the beginning, my point to Dan was, if his guys caused the void in the seal - there would most likely be moisture trapped between the glass yet.

Danny Cronauer · SoftWash Systems Certified

Great point Larry,
You guys think all 4 seals of this guys skylights are bad. He is looking at it from this point of view... "If the seal was bad on one, ok I can understand 1 got streak, but since all 4 got clouded it must be something you guys did." I'm standing there rubbing my head thinking, there is no way.

Well tomorrow I'm gonna call him to give him the bad news.

Micheal Pumphrey · Junior Member

Tell him if he can explain how your chemicals got in the middle you'll replace them for cost

Bob Riddick · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Danny, looking at the photos, I agree with the others that the seal between the panes is shot. I would want to find out if all the skylites are from the same manufacturer, installed at the same time, and when that was.

The simple truth is some manufacturers are better than others. I have had WASCO send out replacement glass, at no charge, for fogged glass on 10 year old units.

If you have a friend that's a good roofer, ask him to go with you. Your owner might be willing to listen to a guy that works with skylites on a daily basis.

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

hey barry I was just kidding.

Mike Laskowski · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

I have even had certain customers strategically have services done to try to set us up as the fall guy. Unfortunately for them we take before pictures of all jobs and do a written per inspection of preexisting damage. Always better to be the one to point things out before being blamed after.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Mike Laskowski wrote:
I have even had certain customers strategically have services done to try to set us up as the fall guy. Unfortunately for them we take before pictures of all jobs and do a written per inspection of preexisting damage. Always better to be the one to point things out before being blamed after.

Amen, amen, amen!

Vic Irish · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

AC Lockyer wrote:
Mike Laskowski wrote:
I have even had certain customers strategically have services done to try to set us up as the fall guy. Unfortunately for them we take before pictures of all jobs and do a written per inspection of preexisting damage. Always better to be the one to point things out before being blamed after.
Amen, amen, amen!

Do you ever take pictures when doing the bid?

Problem with pictures of glass is that sunlight from different angles can have vastly different results. Of course it is hard to see the preexisting haze through the dirt.

If that damage was pre-existing, what are the chances the roof had been pressure washed in the past? Could one careless no no blaster do that to all the skylights?

I like Bob's point about not all manufacturers being the same quality, and Barry's point about the condensation still being there...

Thank you for your patience, Community! You are helping me learn, one question at a time! blankstare

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Yes Vic we try to take before pictures, however it is hard to see through the stains.

AC

Vic Irish · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

AC Lockyer wrote:
Yes Vic we try to take before pictures, however it is hard to see through the stains.

AC

Before pictures can help a bunch when a dispute arises.

I was just curious when you take them. During the estimate, or just before cleaning. I should have said that better.

Thank you, AC.

Still learning...

vic

Danny Cronauer · SoftWash Systems Certified

Pictures in this case wouldn't have helped, since the problem didn't show up until after we sprayed. In case any of you were wondering, I called 2 glass companies, and both of the responses were "we don't do skylights anymore" ... I ask why? the response" They are nothing but problems!" The HO still thinks we may have etched his glass because someone told him we used bleach and that bleach is an acid!? Apparently everyones a chemist!