If you work in a high-rise office building, or work in an area where there are large buildings, then you may have seen some of our trained abseil window cleaners working at height.

It looks dangerous and risky, but abseil window cleaning is actually very safe and efficient. It is a very effective way of cleaning the windows of a tall office building. The origins of abseiling are fascinating, too.

Climb Every Mountain

For the concept of abseiling, we have to thank a French mountain climber called Jean Charlet-Straton. He attempted to climb the Petite Aiguille du Drumountain in the Alps in 1876. This was a solo trip, and he ran into trouble, but managed to create a system of ropes and pulleys that allowed him to find his way quickly back down the mountain.

By the time he made a second attempt in 1879 (this time taking two friends along) he had perfected the abseil technique that he invented. It helped him to conquer the peak, second time lucky.

The abseiling equipment used by abseil window cleaners usually contains something that’s similar to a boatswain or bosun’s chair. This is essentially a short plank attached to a harness, and would be traditionally used on ships; it would give the crew member a place to sit, suspended, while they worked.

Unlike a true bosun’s chair, the device used in abseil window cleaning can only descend, and not ascend. The principle is basically the same.

Only In America

No one knows who was the first London abseiling window cleaning company, or who the first company was globally but it seems likely it was an American company, as it was in the United States that the first skyscrapers were built.

We’ve all see the dizzying black and white photographs of people hanging from thin straps of leather or pieces of rope, while workers perch on steelwork nearby.

This suggests that the window cleaners of 80-odd years ago were slightly more reckless (and less health-and-safety conscious) than our abseil window cleaners today. Today, our specialist abseil window cleaning team  are trained and experienced, both for their own safety and for the safety of occupants and passers-by.

Choices

We believe abseil window cleaning is often the best way of maintaining the cleanliness of a tall building. It is often the only way. Modern building designs are now much more abstract (take The Shard or The ‘Gherkin’ in London) than they have been in the past, meaning dangling from a rope is the only practical way of tackling the structure however the additional use of BMU cleaning equipment is required to provide a thorough clean.

Also, the surrounding area at the foot of the building may prohibit the use of cradle clean machinery and also not allow us to reach high enough for tall buildings so abseiling may be the only option for some facilities management companies.

Hiring Abseil Window Cleaners

At Aquamark, we’re insistent on the highest standards, and that means hiring only the best people for the job. All abseil window cleaners are trained by IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) and require official certification before they take on their first job.

Abseil cleaning is definitely the most successful method of getting the windows of a sizeable building clean. If you are responsible for the maintenance of a tall building, why not contact the services of an abseil window cleaning provider today? Contact Aquamark to find out about our affordable window cleaning contracts.

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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.