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MANAGEMENT Advice


ROOMS WITHA


VIEW Cleaning windows at


height can be a problemfor blocks of flats but a simple


solution is available, says RICHARDCLARE


KEEPING THE WINDOWS cleaninblocksof flats that are more than two or three storeys high is aperennial problem. If your building is blessedwithbalconies,walkwaysand/or vertical descentplatforms,thencleaningthe outsideofwindows canbeorganised by the blockmanagement on a regular basis and at a reasonable cost. Howeverthissituation is rare, so solutions are needed that are not prohibi- tively expensiveonanannualbasis,given that external windows, particularly in cities, require regular cleaning. Aprofessional windowcleaner with a ladder


cancope with the basement, ground and first floors of a building. But solutions are needed for higher floors. Inmost blocks, a fewresidents attempt to cleanwindows fromtheir outside sills.However, apartfrom therisks involved, it’s noteasytoreach everypartofthe window. Theresult is that windows(includingthose in the common parts) tend to remainunwashed formuchlongerperiods than is stipulated in thelease.Thisgradually reduces daylight into theflatsand obscures theresident’sview outside. Thedeteriorating external appearance leaves passers-by with a poorimpressionof the management of the block.


ALTERNATIVEMETHODS Theuse of scaffolding is fartoo expensivefor most of us to consider, exceptwhen exterior decorationsare undertaken (usuallyevery five years).Thisaffordsagood opportunitytoclean windows-justbeforethe scaffolding is taken down. Anotheralternative is acherry-picker,


which is certainly an option for windows facing the street (the rear of the blockmay not be accessible) but the disadvantages are clear-convenience andcost. Acherrypicker operates fromthe road,which interferes with thetraffic-especiallywhenthere are no parkingspaces -and priorpermissionis needed fromthelocalcouncil.Apart fromthe


Flat Living Issue 14, Spring


logistics, thehirefee foracherrypickerplus theoperative’stimeand theadministrative costseffectivelyrulethisoptionout for regular cleaning. However, in recent yearsanother option


has appeared on themarketthatoffers regular cleaning at areasonablecost. It has various names, themost descriptive being the “Reach &Wash” system:


WHAT IS REACH&WASH? Thereach&washsystemstarted in theUSA buthas beenestablished in theUKfor about10 years. Windowscan be cleanedupto20metres (65feet).Thiscopes with blocks with up to four or five floorsabove street level, dependingon ceiling heightsandwhetherthe blockhas a raised ground floor.


established... in theUK for about 10 years


Theapparatus (anextendablepole


whose diameter narrows as it is extended progressivelyupthe building)isveryflexible andcan be controlled by theoperatorasitis movedupand down.Movingthe extended pole fromside to side needs care but is not dangerousinexperienced handsbecausethe pole weight is concentrated at thebottomend. The reach&wash systemmakes use of


averylonghosethroughwhichde-ionised waterispumped fromalarge container inside an adaptedvan parked outsidethe block. The hose length enablesthe contractor to gain accesstothe rear of thebuilding fromwhich thewindows canbereached with thereach& wash pole.


Thereach&wash systemhasbeen


De-ionised wateriscontinuously pumped


up the pole and through the head of a brush. Unlikeordinarytap water, de-ionised water does notleave ‘smear’markswhen it dries. However, becausethe windowsare notdried with a cloth,small water globules remain on thewindowpaneuntil they evaporate. The brushingworks particularlywell for sash


windowsbecauseitnot only cleans thepanes but also thewood around each of the individual panes. Thebrush is soft anddoesn’t scratch thewindows.Inevitably, somewatertrickles downon to thesills.The quantity ofwaterthat actually reaches the pavement is more limited but the contractor nevertheless puts out yellow cones to warnpedestrians.Ayellowcone is also placed outside themain entrance towarn residents as they leave the block. Inmyblock, we have been using this


systemvery effectively. Our cleaning contractor,Ken Burrett, invested in thereach &washtechnologybecauseofits advantages over traditionalmethods: neasy accesstoupper floorsfrom street level; nitssuitability forregular window cleaning; nthehighersafetylevelsachievedfor operatives;and nasignificantimprovement in client value formoney. In 2012, it was pleasing to see the


effectiveness of thereach&washsystem when it wasapplied to theLondon blockIlive in,which has some200 windows including thecommunalwindows.Myfellowresidents commentedfavourablyand thewindows arenow cleanedevery sixmonths. At £2.70 perwindow, we findthistechnologyboth affordable andconvenient.●


Anyonewhois interestedin findingoutmoreabout this easyandeffectivecleaningsystemcancontactKenBurrett CleaningServices onmobile 07827967598, e-mailkennyburrett@aol.comorgoto http://kburrettcleaning.com


Richard ClareisanRMCDirector 23


De-ionised wateris continuously pumped up thepoleand throughthe head of a brush


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