Category: Home owner advice

by Scott Blout 

Here at Squeegee Monkey, we acquire an in depth relationship working in and out of our customers homes. We come across a lot of scenarios that can affect the integrity of the home. Some of these scenarios can easily be avoided if proper precautions are taken and an awareness of what’s going on with your home. Squeegee Monkey can help out in more ways than keeping your glass transparent. Here’s a few tips and other ways The Monkey can help out in preserving condition of your home. 

Be Aware Glass can Scratch!

Whether you’re having a home built or getting maintenance cleanings on the home you live in, be conscious that cleaning windows improperly can lead to noticeable damages to the glass. Damaged glass translates into permanent visible blemishes, expensive restoration costs or replacing the glass all together. Modern glass can scratch easily. Fortunately, there are methods that don’t involve razors that can be use to remove residue. We would encourage you to open a dialogue with anyone who is working with your glass and the discuss the potential of scratched glass, especially if you are in the process of building a house or installing new windows where multiple outfits are around your glass. We have seen on multiple occasions brand new homes with brand new glass that have been scratched at some point in the construction and cleaning process. We don’t want to see this happen to anyone. 

– Contact the window manufacture to learn their policies regarding their glass conditions and potential for scratches.

– Know whose working with your glass and be sure they are aware of scratch-able glass like you are.

-Know which windows are tempered (Heat treated), have special coatings, have aftermarket tint

– Ask your contractors the tape and cover your windows 

– Call us 😉

 

Clean Windows Last

 Hold off on cleaning with windows until the very end, especially during construction or projects near glass. If you are preparing for an event in your home, also get the windows cleaned last. Landscaping, paint projects and power washing can undo a window cleaning quickly. Even house cleaners can kick up dust that can stick to a clean window. We leave homes as spotless as we find them. Have confidence that your window cleaner can leave your house without a trace.

By Casey MacNiven

 

You may be asking yourself…

Why do my screens still look dirty after I just paid to have them cleaned?

There could be more than one answer.

1. They were not cleaned properly
2. The protective coating has worn off allowing for dirt to penetrate and soil the fibers (Fiber Glass Screen Wire Only)

When fiber glass screen wire enters its life cycle it starts off with a protective coating.  After a couple years in the sun the coating wears away.  Your screen wire no longer has a sheen to it.

Dirt, bird droppings, concretions and excretions are free to penetrate your screen wire leaving it stained.

Ideally, if your coating is intact you would be able to rinse off your screens with a hose or simply wipe them with a towel to clean. Depending on the severity of your screen wire situation your screens may never look clean again.

There are a couple of suggestions we would like to make. Remove your screens in the late fall and store in a safe place.  Clean them before you store them then cover them with a sheet.  Storing your screens for winter will help in a number of ways.

1. It will decrease the amount of time they spend in the sun and almost double their life expectancy
2. It will decrease the amount of available concretions, excretions, and pollutions that can accrue in a year cycle
3. It will ensure you have the best view possible entering winter
4. It will let more light into your home during the time of year where daylight is scarce

How can I tell if my screen wire needs to be replaced?

1. You have black screen wire thats turning white (screen wire fibers coming apart.)This is sun damage.
2. Tears
3. Still looks dirty after scrubbing with a brush and soap water

Replacing your screen wire is easy and inexpensive to do.  You can locate all the supplies at your local hardware store. Make sure you buy the right size spline.  Do not over tighten or you will hourglass your screen frame.

If you don’t want to do it yourself you can call Squeegee Monkey.

We have been fixing screens for years.

Simple re-wires cost anywhere from $20-50 depending on the size. This includes any needed hardware (Pull Tabs, Springs, Spline).

We also build new screens from scratch if the frame is destroyed.

This generally costs $45-75 depending on the size, hardware, and scope.

 

“Knowledge is power”

-Sir Francis Bacon

 

 Written by Scott Blout    

Winters in the southwest corners are anything but consistent. This year we are experience more precipitation than years past. DON NOT get on your roof if winter conditions exist. It is extremely dangerous. Call the Monkey or your preferred experience snow remover.  The accumulation of snow on roofs can quickly deteriorate the condition of your roof and gutters leading to interior leakage, rotting wood, mold and structural damage. Squeegee Monkey is equipped and ready to help you maintain a clear roof.

Here are some things you can do to help yourself out: 

 

– Buy a telescopic roof rake,
These range from $50-$150. Investing in one these can help you to prevent ice dams from forming at the edge of your roof.

– Get a snow removal crew on retainer to show up before a large mass appears on your roof

– Make sure electrical heat tape is working properly before the season hits. Follow the manufactures suggestion for running heat tape. (Usually run on a timer during the warmest part of the day)