top of page
Gretchen Vollmer

Cutting Costs: Drone Window Cleaning Advantages

Updated: 10 minutes ago

drone window cleaning vs traditional window cleaning

Traditional window washing, although effective, is an insurance heavy method that relies on wear-intensive equipment like suspension cages, tie down anchors, scaffolding, and handheld tools. In this article, we’ll explore how drones can reduce maintenance costs, and improve long-term savings for building maintenance budgets.


1. Roof Damage from Foot Traffic

Traditional window cleaning methods often require technicians to access the roof and navigate across it to reach tie-off points. This regular foot traffic places stress on roofing materials, particularly in areas close to roof edges, where weight distribution is most critical. Over time, even minimal, repeated foot traffic can lead to minor wear, small cracks, and weak points in the roofing membrane. These small issues can escalate, resulting in leaks, water damage, and structural problems that become costly to repair.


Repairing roofing material on a building

Workers may also carry equipment that increases the load on vulnerable areas, exacerbating wear and tear. For older roofs, or those with materials prone to cracking under stress, the damage from routine roof access can accumulate more quickly, reducing the roof’s overall lifespan and accelerating the need for costly repairs or replacements.


  • Long-Term Savings: Drone window washing eliminates the need for technicians to access the roof, removing the risk of damage from foot traffic entirely. By avoiding direct contact with the roof, drones help preserve the roof’s integrity and extend its useful life, potentially saving property owners thousands of dollars in maintenance and repair costs over time.


Overall, the shift to drone window cleaning offers a more sustainable, roof-friendly solution that safeguards a building’s infrastructure, contributing to long-term savings on both maintenance and premature roof replacements.


2. Facade Damage

Traditional window cleaning methods often involve lowering workers from the roof in suspension cages or harnesses, which inevitably brings the risk of accidental contact with the building’s facade. Suspension cages and workers’ feet can knock or scrape against the building, especially when influenced by wind, sudden shifts in weight, or the natural sway of equipment.

window washers cleaning building windows

These repeated impacts can leave behind scratches, dents, chipped paint, and even rust spots if the building has metallic facade elements that become exposed. Over time, this accumulation of minor damage adds up, diminishing the building’s aesthetic appeal and making it appear worn or poorly maintained.


Certain materials, like glass, stone, and architectural metals, are particularly susceptible to visible wear, while modern facades with intricate designs or expensive materials can incur high repair costs to address even minor scuffs.


  • Long-Term Savings: Drone window washing offers a non-contact solution that eliminates the need for suspension cages and direct human contact with the facade. By avoiding these physical interactions, drones reduce the risk of both cosmetic and structural damage, preserving the building’s exterior finish and material quality.


In summary, drone window washing protects a building’s facade from the gradual degradation caused by traditional cleaning methods, extending the lifespan of exterior materials and delivering substantial savings on maintenance and repair over time.


3. Window Micro-Cracking

Although commercial use windows are incredibly strong and are built to last over 25 years, traditional cleaning methods can shorten their lifespan. Technicians often rely on tools that can apply significant pressure or involve vigorous scrubbing to remove dirt, debris, and grime. Over time, the combination of high-pressure cleaning tools, abrasive scrubbing, and the natural friction from repeated cleanings can cause tiny, nearly invisible fractures in the glass surface known as micro-fractures.


Initially, these microscopic fractures are too small to notice, but with ongoing exposure to environmental stressors - such as temperature changes, moisture, and UV rays - these micro-fractures gradually expand.

This process weakens the glass, making it more vulnerable to cracking, warping, or, in severe cases, even shattering.
Replacing a cracked window

Micro-fractures can be particularly problematic in buildings located in regions with extreme weather variations, where the glass expands and contracts more frequently. Making them more likely to require early replacement. This involves not only the cost of new glass but also the labor and downtime associated with window replacements.


  • Long-Term Savings: Drone window washing provides a gentler, more uniform cleaning solution, minimizing the risk of micro-fracturing. Equipped with soft washing systems and carefully controlled pressure, drones clean windows effectively without abrasive contact. This reduces the cumulative stress that can lead to micro-fractures, helping windows retain their structural integrity and clarity over a much longer period.



4. Tie-Off Annual Inspections/Re-Certifications

Tie-offs, installed on rooftops and along building exteriors, provide secure anchor points for technicians’ harnesses and equipment. For buildings that rely on traditional window cleaning, safety regulations mandate annual inspections of tie-off anchor points - Compliance with OSHA 1910.27(b)(1)(i). These inspections are thorough and regulated, often requiring specialized personnel to examine each tie-off to ensure it can withstand the necessary loads.

Tie-off inspections can be costly, as they typically involve structural assessments, load testing, and the documentation required to remain compliant with safety codes
  • Long-Term Savings: Drones offer an effective alternative by eliminating the need for harnessed technicians to access building exteriors for window cleaning, drastically reducing the reliance on tie-off anchor points. By shifting to drone-based cleaning, property owners can significantly cut or even eliminate tie-off inspection costs altogether. Though each annual inspection may seem like a minor expense, the cumulative savings over several years can add up substantially, providing a considerable financial advantage.


By investing in drone technology, property managers can make a strategic shift that supports both financial savings and forward-looking maintenance strategies.


5. Tie-Off Replacements

In addition to mandatory annual inspections, roof anchors (tie-offs) are subject to periodic replacements due to wear and evolving safety standards. Over time, exposure to weather, environmental conditions, and regular use for high-rise maintenance work can degrade the structural integrity of these anchors. As a result, they need to be replaced periodically to comply with OSHA and ANSI safety regulations.


  • Long-Term Savings: Each replacement of a single tie-off can cost thousands, considering both the material and labor involved. By using drones for window washing, property owners can significantly reduce or eliminate the reliance on roof anchors. This reduction in dependency means fewer replacements, inspections, and compliance-related upgrades, all of which add up to substantial long-term financial relief.


Adopting drones for maintenance not only provides a cost-effective alternative but also simplifies safety compliance efforts, further contributing to the building’s value and operational efficiency.


6. Damage to Landscaping

Using scaffolding, lifts, or cranes for window cleaning often requires setting up heavy equipment on landscaped areas around a property. This can result in damage to lawns, flowerbeds, bushes, and other greenery from both foot traffic and the weight of machinery.


Moving scaffolding or cranes across landscaped spaces may also create compacted soil, which can lead to root damage and hinder plant growth. The vibrations and movement associated with setting up and operating these structures can even disturb the irrigation systems and drainage patterns within the landscaping.


Damage to landscaping detracts from the property’s visual appeal and can require extensive replanting, repairs, or even irrigation work to restore. This not only incurs immediate costs but also affects the property’s appearance, potentially impacting tenant satisfaction and reducing the curb appeal that attracts prospective clients.


  • Long-Term Savings: Property owners can avoid the disruption and damage to landscaping caused by traditional maintenance setups by using a drone window washing team. Over time, savings accumulate, as property owners sidestep ongoing expenses for plant replacement, soil reconditioning, and irrigation repairs.


Conclusion

Transitioning from traditional window washing methods to drone-based cleaning provides property owners with numerous financial and maintenance benefits. Drones eliminate many of the physical demands and risks associated with traditional equipment, including scaffolding, suspension cages, and roof access points, which can lead to costly wear and repairs on the building’s roof, façade, and windows.


Additionally, drone cleaning minimizes or eliminates the need for heavy landscaping repairs often caused by crane or scaffolding setup. With reduced reliance on tie-off inspections and replacements, property managers can enjoy long-term savings on safety compliance and equipment upkeep. Drones also offer a gentler, more uniform cleaning method that helps preserve glass integrity, reducing the frequency of window replacements.


Embracing drone technology for window maintenance is a forward-looking investment, offering a safer, more efficient, and sustainable approach to high-rise cleaning. This innovative shift not only reduces ongoing expenses but also supports the aesthetic appeal and structural integrity of buildings, ultimately contributing to long-term value and operational ease.

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page