I have always just cleaned the storms while in the tracks if possible. I just go around and remove all the screens and lower both storms down to sit in the window sill. Once that is done I clean all the inside windows. I like doing the insides first just in case some water decides to drip through the crack in the window. Next I go outside and clean the outside of the top window and then I will pull the top storm up and clean the outside of it. Then I clean the bottom storm by just pushing it up against the bottom of the window sill so I can get my squeegee in there (this take a bit to get used to, but once you get used to it it is easy). Once the bottom storm is done I then raise it up behind the top storm and lock it into place. Then I clean the bottom of the main window. Next move is to go inside and lower the top outside storm into the window sill and clean it and place back up into the track and then clean the inside of the bottom storm and place back into position. Next just grab the clean screen and put it in it’s spot. I’ve been doing this since 1993 when I was taught it from the guys I used to work for.
I have a type of storm windows that I do not think anyone has described.
I can take out the lower panel by using the slide locks. The screen comes out by pushing upward on the outer panel . The upper panel stays locked in place and I am not able to see any way to take it out.
There maybe a piece of horizontal metal channel that is screwed (screws are on outside) into the left and right vertical storm frame that holds the top pane in place.
If this is the case (I see these often), the screws are SMALL You drop one and it’s gone. I now carry extra’s with me to replace the ones I might drop. A magnetic bit holder helps also.
Oh Boy! Storm windows are love and hate, hate to clean them but love to charge for cleaning them!!!
JLOC COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
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guess you don’t have critters living in the tracks were your at. Your method would never work in my wooded ares.
Storm easels where it’s at!
Yes we do, it’s very easy to pull out with a 5in1 or a flat head screwdriver.
This space for rent!
I did 29 storm windows today with this old beach chair, tough on the back but it worked. Charged wayyyy little for these!!!
[COLOR=#333333]Only if you don’t have an easel. With an easel you have the panes at a convenient height and the tray catches all the dirty water. You can also wipe the frame of each pane while it’s out.[/COLOR]
I turned my rolling milk crate cart into an easel. Took off a few things and added section of gutter. Rolling storm window easel + tool caddy.
I suck at the shuffling method. My fingers don’t fit into confined spaces very well.
My hat is off to people making money cleaning old windows. It is an art. Does anyone use the slorbo mullti-channel-squeegee ?
I use bronze wool on those old babies… and near custom cut assortment of channels. I’m just going to have to say no to the old windows where the glazing is falling out, and if you rap your knuckle on the pane of glass, it will shatter.
Why the devil are there so many old falling apart windows on the East Coast?
To be fair, some of the old windows are gorgeous… fine examples of workmanship. And in some of the colonial houses, it would look terrible to replace with cheap vinyl windows but the level of craftsmanship needed to match the old windows who be prohibitively expensive. So I can see why some people choose to keep the old windows.
I tried your method it’s crazy and would never try to teach anyone that way
Crazy fast!
This space for rent!
As everyone said, there are several different styles, but they all tend to come apart by using the same method.
We do a dozen or so a year and its great money. Here is a short list of things that may help you make life easier.
- Get customer to agree that you are not responsible for any breakage/cracks/bends or chips that may be preexisting or that occur as a result of removal and replacement. You are a professional, but sometimes there are preexisting conditions that are not visible until the glass is moved or touched.
- Locate a glass repair company that is close to the job site as every other job we do usually has some kind of preexisting damage or we break something that was not put together properly in the first place.
- Get a couple suction cups. Pro Suction cups can be a bit expensive. I got some cheap plastic ones from a hardware store for $6 and they work fine for occasional use.
- Second story storms are tough. Danger made a video about remove form the outside and lowering to the ground. Its a great idea.
- Plan on an average of 20-30 minutes per storm window. Longer if its your crews first storm job.
- Don’t be afraid to over staff with extra help so you can have an assemble line going. One dissembles and assembles , one to cleans the removable exterior and one extra helper for the interior cleaning and removal. The extra floater can walk the windows back and forth and keep them staged.
- Ensure each set stays together and goes back into the same window it was removed from.
- Do not ‘lean’ a pane of glass on hard surfaces. One gust of wind or kick with a boot could cause it to fall and it will break. So try to stage your glass on a soft surface in-case something falls flat.
