Window Cleaning in Scripps Ranch: Upper Dormers and Canyon-Side Windows

Window Cleaning in Scripps Ranch: Upper Dormers and Canyon-Side Windows

This Scripps Ranch home sits along a canyon, with windows spread across two and three levels, including dormer windows high along the roofline.

The homeowner wanted the glass cleaned inside and out, along with the screens, frames, and tracks. The approximately 1,696-square-foot home had two sliding glass doors, larger multi-pane windows, smaller bedroom and bathroom windows, and upper dormers that required additional access.

Cleaning the glass, screens, and tracks

We cleaned the windows traditionally with a scrubber and squeegee rather than a water-fed pole.

Eucalyptus leaves, seeds, and other debris had collected on and around the glass and in the window tracks. Sap on several panes required additional work to remove, including scrubbing and steel wool. We tested a small area first and observed no scratching before continuing.

Screens were removed, cleaned, and reinstalled. Frames were wiped down, and the tracks were vacuumed and cleaned by hand.

The homeowner later told us how much he appreciated the clean tracks.

All of the windows also had plantation shutters inside the home. Those were outside the original estimate, so we worked around them while completing the window cleaning.

Reaching the dormer windows

The home's multi-level layout made access to the upper dormer windows more involved.

We used two ladders in stages, each positioned on a separate, solid landing surface. The first provided access to several windows along the way, while the second allowed us to reach the upper dormers.

We positioned the ladders to avoid putting pressure on the gutters and laid protective material over the rolled roofing where we worked.

The dormers also had electric shades mounted approximately 17 feet above the floor.

The homeowner suspected there might be a problem with the remote because the shades wouldn't open. Once we had access, we tested the controls on the shades themselves and found that they weren't responding either.

We offered to help replace the batteries while we were up there.

We replaced the batteries, and the shades opened using their built-in controls. The remote still didn't work, and the homeowner was able to investigate that separately and order a replacement while we were there.

The battery replacement wasn't part of the window-cleaning estimate.

Scheduling and access

The homeowner checked with his HOA before the work began and confirmed that the window cleaning could proceed.

We completed the job over two visits because the original appointment started later in the day and the homeowner was flexible with scheduling.

Most of the interior work was completed on the first visit. We returned the following morning for most of the exterior and were on our way to the next job by about 10:30.

What we found

One screen had missing pull tabs, and its rubber spline had come loose, allowing part of the screen mesh to pull away from the frame. We repaired the loose section and let the homeowner know about the missing tabs.

One of the dormer windows had a noticeable scratch in the glass, which we brought to the homeowner's attention.

We also found internal fogging between the panes of a Milgard window.

Cleaning cannot remove moisture or fogging trapped inside an insulated glass unit. The condition appeared consistent with a failed window seal.

The homeowner contacted Milgard and scheduled an appointment to have the window evaluated.

The result

The windows, screens, frames, and tracks were cleaned throughout the home, including the upper dormers and canyon-facing windows.

The next morning, the homeowner sent us a message:

“Nice to wake up to sparkling windows and morning sunshine.”

He also told us the clean windows motivated him to clean the plantation shutters himself.