Abseil window cleaning (also known as rope access cleaning) is a method of cleaning at height. It’s used because it is considered to be a safer and less intrusive method of high-level window cleaning.
Scaffolding is timely, pricey to install and takes up a larger working space and area. Ladders involve more risk, and extension poles can’t always get to all the hard-to-reach areas to provide a professional clean. For these reasons, abseiling should be closely considered if you own or manage a high-rise building.
Read on to find out what you’ll need to know about abseiling before your residential or commercial window clean commences…
How Do Operatives Use the Abseil Window Cleaning Method?
Abseiling involves descending via high-strength ropes, pulleys, and breaking equipment that’s attached to an operative’s harness.
It is a straightforward method involving a small amount of set-up, a minimal amount of equipment, but a very high level of safety. Trained professionals will carry out the abseiling cleaning safely without harm or disruption.
Anchor points are an important factor when completing a clean. They are built into the façade of a structure to provide a point at which the equipment can be securely attached for support.
The operatives anchor themselves securely to the roof of the building before abseiling down the side to complete the clean. By being secured by a harness and a rope, it allows them to move freely across the side of the building as needed.
It’s important to note that your building needs anchor points in order to carry out this form of window cleaning. To find out more about anchor points, click here.
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What Training And Experience is Needed For Rope Access Cleaning?
When high-level cleaning is involved, a wide range of measures needs to take place to guarantee that abseil window cleaning can be completed safely, as well as efficiently.
This involves performing a site survey and risk assessment of the project to identify any challenges and to make sure that the work can be carried out securely.
It’s important to look out for key training certificates and qualifications when searching for abseiling companies, including:
- Level 3 Rope Technicians (This means they are at the highest level of professional schemes IRATA – Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) Although the operatives don’t always have to be a L3 Rope Technician, there must always be one on site.
- Safe Contractor Approved
- Federation Of Window Cleaners
- CHAS accredited
- ISO 14001
If abseiling window cleaning is the selected cleaning method, a full PPE inspection should be carried out to make sure the safety equipment is completely set up to a high standard before any high-rise window cleaning commences.
It is also important to note that abseilers must always work in a minimum of two, you can never have just one operative on site. This is in case of an accident or injury.
Types Of Buildings That Can Be Cleaned With Abseil Window Cleaning
For large high-rise buildings, abseiling window cleaning is a popular choice because it has no height limits and requires no machinery at ground level whilst still being able to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Abseiling window cleaning works well with high-rise commercial and residential buildings because operatives can easily pull in on a balcony, clean the windows then descend with flexibility.
When compared to other methods, they may provide difficulty when getting behind a balcony to reach the windows.
Windows may be the key element of your building with some covering entire walls, cleaning them not only will make them look good but also maintains the quality of them too.
Conclusion
Overall, abseil window cleaning provides an exceptional high-rise window clean by being ideal for a variety of buildings, angles, and heights.
At Aquamark, our abseil window cleaners are an experienced team that are trained specialists. With this, you can be confident that your results will look outstanding, and the clean will be carried out professionally.
Before any window cleaning commences, we arrange a site visit to assess the best option for the building.
This includes checking access points and safety equipment in places such as cradles, anchor points or the grounds space for machinery. Get in touch today to book your free site assessment and to discover more of our commercial window cleaning services.
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About Aquamark
Aquamark recognises the diversity of issues that come with managing large residential and commercial properties. That’s why they’ve designed a unique approach to commercial window and glass cleaning that creates valuable customer experiences for all.
With their unique In-Touch Live Status Checker, you are kept updated with what has already been cleaned, what is currently being cleaned and what’s still left to clean, in just a few clicks.
This gives you full transparency-allowing you to focus on work priorities, whilst they focus on implementing the most effective window cleaning programme for the building.
They are not only recognised as a highly credible commercial window cleaning company in London but nationwide across the UK. This is down to their extended commercial window cleaning offering which includes: abseiling window cleaning, cradle window cleaning, water-fed pole window cleaning, cherry picker, construction cleans, building cleans and commercial gutter cleans.
When you’re looking at renewing your contract for window cleaning for a reliable, high-quality clean with professional window cleaners, or you want to explore which solution is most suited to the building you manage, contact the team at Aquamark.
You can book your slot for a free site assessment here, or if you’d prefer to chat, pick a time that best suits you.
