Rochester Window Cleaning · Glossary
window cleaning glossary
Plain-English definitions for the technical terms you'll see in quotes, proposals, and inspection reports. Bookmark this when you're comparing bids.
- Pure-water cleaning
- Using deionized or RO water for streak-free results. No detergent needed because pure water actively attracts minerals.
- Squeegee technique
- The wet-and-pull motion that removes water cleanly. Done in a fan pattern (interior) or a top-to-bottom straight pull (exterior).
- Track + sill detail
- Cleaning the bottom rail + frame area where dirt + pollen settle. Often skipped by $99 specials.
- Screen washing
- Removing screens + hand-washing them flat. Air-dries faster + cleaner than spraying them in place.
- Streak-free guarantee
- A return-visit promise if you spot a streak after the job. Industry-standard for premium service.
- Water-fed pole (WFP)
- A telescoping pole with deionized-water rinse + soft brush. Reaches 2-3 story windows from the ground without ladders.
- Hard water spotting
- Mineral deposits left by tap water + sprinklers. Requires acid wash or vinegar to remove.
- Streak-free chemistry
- Ammonia-based vs ammonia-free cleaners. Ammonia cuts grease but can damage tinted windows. Pros use a mild detergent or pure water.
- Inside vs outside frequency
- Exterior windows need cleaning 2-4× / year (Rochester pollen + lake-effect). Interior holds up at 1-2× / year unless cooking grease + pets.
- Gutter cleaning add-on
- Common service bundled with exterior windows. Roof debris in gutters causes ice dams + foundation water damage if neglected.
- 35-foot ladder ceiling
- New York's Industrial Code Rule 21, §21.7(a) (12 NYCRR Part 21) limit — ladders can't be used to clean a window whose top sits more than 35 ft above the ground, floor, or roof. Above that, the job moves to a water-fed pole or another approved method. Source: NY DOL Window Cleaning Applicable Variances (SH-743)
- 4-to-1 ladder rule
- The standard extension-ladder pitch: the base sits 1 ft out from the wall for every 4 ft of height to the top support. New York requires this same ratio — stated as one-quarter of the ladder's working length — for window-washing ladders under Industrial Code Rule 21. Source: NY DOL Window Cleaning Applicable Variances (SH-743)