Module 5 — Windows: Method Selection + Safety (Lesson)

Windows are reputation work.

A roof can look great from the street. A bad window job looks bad from the kitchen. This module gives you a simple method-selection rule so you don’t guess — and you don’t create drips, haze, or frame damage that kills trust.

What you’re doing today

You’re learning how to choose the right window method without guessing — and how to keep windows, frames, screens, and customers safe.

Why this matters

Windows are reputation work.

A roof can look great from the street. A bad window job looks bad from the kitchen.

Tools & materials (minimum viable)

• Gloves + eye protection (minimum)
• Clean towels/rags (no lint)
• A basic traditional kit (bucket/mop/squeegee)
• Phone camera (Proof Pack)

If you’re using ladders:

• ladder + stabilizer (don’t overreach)

The non-negotiables

• No high-pressure blasting on glass, frames, seals, or screen enclosures.
• Diagnose first: soil + substrate + risk.
• Protect landscaping and manage runoff.

The method ladder (least aggressive → most involved)

1. Dry work (remove cobwebs/debris)
2. Traditional (scrub + squeegee)
3. WFP (pure water) when appropriate
4. Detailing (tracks/screens/add-ons)

Step-by-step: 60-second window diagnosis

1. Look for hard water / minerals.
2. Check for frame oxidation risk.
3. Note access risk (ladders/obstacles).
4. Decide your lane:
   • traditional
   • WFP
   • decline / set exception

Decision points (if X, do Y)

• If you see hard water staining:

  • don’t promise it comes out with a basic wash.

• If frames are chalky or transfer color:

  • oxidation risk (your rinse can pull it onto glass).

• If access is sketchy:

  • safety first; pick WFP if it reduces ladder work.

Common mistakes + fixes

• Mistake: treating every window as “standard glass.”

  • Fix: coatings/damage exist; diagnose first.

• Mistake: cleaning dirty screens then rinsing them onto clean glass.

  • Fix: screens are their own workflow.

What good looks like

• No streaks from inside view.
• Clean edges and corners.
• Customer knows what is included and what is excluded.

How to prove it (Proof Pack)

• before/after of a representative window set
• close-up of any exceptions (hard water, failed seal)

SOPs

• Traditional windows: 04_sops/windows/traditional-window-cleaning-sop-v2.md
• Screens: 04_sops/windows/screen-cleaning-sop-v1.md
• Tracks: 04_sops/windows/track-detailing-sop-v1.md
• WFP: 04_sops/windows/wfp-window-cleaning-sop-v1.md

Risk references

• Glass risk: 02_chemicals/pages/glass-and-window-risk.md
• Metals/fixtures risk: 02_chemicals/pages/metals-fixtures-and-corrosion-risk.md
• Hard water/minerals: 02_chemicals/pages/hard-water-and-mineral-stains.md

Do this next (assignment)

• Walk a house and label each window: easy / medium / high-risk.
• Choose method (traditional vs WFP) and write the one-sentence reason.

References

• Proof Pack SOP: 04_sops/proof-pack/proof-pack-sop-v1.md
• Final Walk checklist: 04_sops/universal/final-walk-checklist-v1.md

Printables

• Operator Checklist Pack (truck copy): 03_curriculum/printables/operator-checklist-pack-v1.md

Gear Box (Amazon)

• Ettore 3 Gallon Super Bucket
• Ettore Mighty Washer (10-Inch)
• Ettore Pro Series Brass Squeegee (12-Inch)
• Ettore Replacement Rubber (12-Inch)
• Arkwright Surgical Huck Towels
• Ettore Pro Scraper (6-Inch)
• Dawn Ultra Dish Soap
• Ettore 44016 REA-C-H Extension Pole (16-Feet)

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.