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window cleaning company scratched windows

impatientgardener

17 years ago

I was reading one other thread here about a window cleaner using a scraper blade. This is what happened to me, although I was not asked to sign a waiver to start. At first I thought it might be a good idea - get more stuff off. Then the next day, when the sun came around on my south windows, I could see they were all scratched. Lots of very fine, spider webby looking scratches, but also some more pronounced ones. Is this something I should just make up my mind to live with? Is it worth pursuing having it "fixed" and what would that entail?

How can I tell if I have tempered glass? My windows are about 9 years old - is it common that they would be showing scratches already, as the manager seemed to be implying?

Any suggestions for dealing with the manager, etc. greatly appreciated.

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Comments (3)

oberon476
17 years ago
I suspect that I could accurately describe the scratches that you are seeing in your glass without even seeing them personally...

I suspect also that there isn't much that you can do since the windows are nine years old and the "cleaner" can simply claim that the scratches were already in the glass before he ever started.

There are companies and systems that can remove scratches like that from glass - and they can make the window glass look virtually new again - but, typically they are not cheap and you have to be very careful choosing the correct method for removing the scratches since some systems actually make matters worse.

There really isn't much that you can DIY to remove the scratches, unfortunately. There are some OTC glass buffing compounds that can remove really minor scratches, but your results when using them may not be satisfactory.

Tempered glass will have a logo ("bug" in industry-speak) in a corner of the glass that will say "tempered". If the glass doesn't have the mark then it is not tempered glass.

Sorry I couldn't offer more. If you are interested in contacting a professional scratch removal company - let me know and I can offer some advice in that area.
impatientgardener
Original Author
17 years ago
Today I met with the manager of the window cleaning company, and our discussion went pretty much as I expected, his word against mine. I kind of got backed into a corner when he asked why the insides of the windows weren't scratched if the cleaner used the scraper blade on both the inside and outside. I didn't have an answer for this. I checked with the Better Business Bureau, and the company has only 2 complaints (resolved) against them in 3 years, and it's a fair-sized company (10,000 jobs/year), and they've been in business 15 years. So, I only get 1/2 my cleaning costs refunded. Don't know if I can take it anywhere else from there?!
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Mendo View Window Cleaning
6 years ago
We a fully licensed window cleaning service located on the beautiful Mendocino California Coast. We have serviced hundreds of customers windows without ever scratching one sheet of glass.

If this has happened to you, one could try contacting a glass restoration company. Ironically enough, many window cleaners also offer this service by trade. Call around and ask. It is less expensive to repair your scratched window over replacing them. Unless you opt to upgrade your homes windows, then replacing would be more beneficial, as many windows today are designed for energy efficiency.

To tell whether or not your glass window is tempered, look in one of the corners of the glass. If tempered, you should be able to locate a tempering stamp with the Manufacturers name of that glass. If you have any question about your windows integrity, contact them. They might be able to assist you with any warranty service. Sadly though, this would not include scratched glass.

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