Removal of commercial window stains, especially for multi-story buildings, is generally more complex than removing residential glass stains. Aside from the obvious larger size and structural makeup of commercial buildings, the extent of damage and the cause of the stains is different.
While some commercial window stain issues are inevitable, there are some that can be prevented if the cause of the stains is found and dealt with. In this post, we’ll talk about the two major reasons commercial window systems get tough-to-handle water stains: (1) lack of proper maintenance and (2) leaching due to adjacent materials.
Commercial Window Stains & Proper Maintenance
Improper maintenance of commercial windows isn’t merely about not cleaning them, though that’s a contributing cause to stains, scratches, and permanent damage. Other factors that contribute to the speed at which you experience commercial window stains on your building include:
- Relative humidity
- Proximity to water
- Exposure to sun and rain
- Adjacent materials (which we discuss further below)
In extreme cases, windows with built-in scuppers, or those adjacent to sprinklers or fountains that aren’t maintained several times per year, may require commercial glass restoration services.
Why is regular, proper maintenance so important to the appearance, integrity, and lifespan of your building’s windows? It only takes about a year of no cleaning or maintenance for some commercial windows to show staining.
Most commercial glass restoration companies recommend cleaning your building’s windows twice a year. But even when commercial windows are cleaned on a bi-annual basis, maintenance issues may arise. These problems typically occur in curtain wall systems when the maintenance company cleans the windows with dish soap or another surfactant-based cleaner. Here’s what happens:
- As the window cleaner moves down the window system, soapy water is squeegeed onto the window frames or surrounding stone.
- The water remains there until rain washes it down onto the windows below.
- When the sun appears, it bakes the soapy mixture onto the glass, and you see soap scum stains.
This hardy soap scum is difficult to remove with window cleanings alone, so over time it builds up and leaves opaque stains on the glass. At that point, you need to call in a qualified glass stain removal service company to perform surface restoration on the curtain wall glass.
The Role of Adjacent Materials in Commercial Window Stains
Precast leaching and run-off, oxidation of metal building materials, eroded window glazing, and paint runoff are just some of the adjacent materials that can cause commercial window stains.
For instance, windows mounted flush in line with precast panels often experience rain run-down from the stone above them. Over time, the run-down deposits silicates and other dissolved materials onto the surface of the glass. These materials fuse into the glass surface and create unsightly stains.
Similarly, precast or limestone ledges under a commercial window often create a “bounce back” effect where rain and drips hit the ledge and then bounce back up onto the window.
Commercial window stains caused by adjacent materials call for the services of the most experienced commercial glass restoration company you can find. That’s because the process of removing these stains from commercial window systems typically requires the use of both chemical and abrasive products. Presto Restoration Products & Services is skilled at removing a variety of mineral and hard water stains from commercial window glass.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
The good news is that some windows are able to resist staining for decades. How? Regular six-month maintenance usually works if done properly. Presto does not recommend that you use the industry-standard water and dish soap method which can leave those unsightly soap scum stains. We recommend you use deionized water and Scumfrees Professional Window Cleaning Concentrate which leaves no oily residue behind like soaps and detergents do.
Once the cleaning process is complete, we recommend applying a glass protection product like Presto’s Glass Defender series as an additional glass safeguarding step to repel common commercial window stains.
Removing stubborn hard water and adjacent material-caused stains is not just about your windows’ aesthetics. It’s a crucial maintenance task that ensures your building stays in good shape and its windows give you the decades of service they were designed for. Over the long term, regular window maintenance to keep stains at bay saves you money, particularly when you consider the cost of glass replacement.
It’s important when choosing a commercial window stain removal company to work with one who addresses the root of stains, particularly when the adjacent mineral-laden stone is involved. Presto Restoration has extensive experience in both glass restoration and in sealing precast and other adjacent stone materials to ensure future glass staining is avoided. Our products contain high-quality silicone and acrylic coatings designed to seal the stone’s pores, providing durable and long-lasting protection to the stone and subsequently to your commercial windows.
Hire a Professional to Remove Commercial Glass Window Stains
If you’re looking for commercial glass stain removal services, it’s important to hire an expert. Stains need to be removed with care so the glass isn’t damaged. The right stain removal tools and techniques must be used according to the state of your building, its materials, and the particular issues you face. Done wrong, resurfacing glass can actually cause scratches or damage the caulking around the edges.
With years of experience serving commercial clients, Presto is the trusted local name in commercial glass stain removal. We use experienced and highly skilled technicians for every aspect of your project. From beginning to end, you’ll get the quality and customer service you deserve. You can read about a recently completed glass stain removal project and many other projects on our portfolio page.
If you are looking for help with the glass in your commercial building, we would love to learn more about your project.
Contact Presto Restoration for a free consultation today.
Call us at 1-800-785-9927 or Request A Quote.
