Maintenance

Glass is amongst the hardest of common construction materials currently being used.

However, even though glass is very hard it is susceptible to damage from a variety of sources and requires care and regular maintenance to retain the original appearance. Since the primary purpose of glass is to be viewed through, damage to the glass can easily detract from its original condition and clarity of vision. Great care is taken to prevent glass damage during manufacture, processing, storage and delivery to site.

It is therefore worthwhile taking precautions to prevent possible contamination and damage to glass during installation and through the remaining phases of construction. Preventative measures are often faster and more effective than subsequent ordinary cleaning techniques available.

Handling and storage

Delivery, handling and site storage methods must be agreed for each site. Upon delivery of the glass check marks and labels on the packing or glass to ensure compliance with the specification. Edges and corners of glass are particularly vulnerable to damage during handling, storage and installation. Inspect the cut edges of the glass for excessive flaws such as large shells that may compromise the strength and performance of the glass. Check all surfaces for any signs of damage. If in doubt seek advice from the manufacturer.

Glass should not be stored or stacked horizontally. Store panels on edge at an angle of 3° to 6° from the vertical, with sufficient lateral support to prevent bowing, in a clean dry, ventilated place, avoiding direct sunshine and other sources of heat. Factory applied protection such as cork pads or shrink-wrapping should not be removed until the glass is ready for installation. When the packaging has been removed it is advisable to cover the remaining glass to prevent ingress of dust and grit that may cause subsequent scratching.

If any moisture or condensation is apparent between the panes of stacked glass, separate immediately and dry thoroughly, otherwise permanent staining may result. If water is allowed to remain in contact with the glass for an extended period it can form a concentrated alkaline solution and will attack the glass surface causing permanent damage and in extreme cases even “welding” the sheets together. Carefully inspect all glass before installation.

After installation during construction

Protecting the glass will simplify the cleaning process after construction work finishes. If the glass is not protected it should be cleaned frequently during construction as dirt and residue appears both externally and internally.

Frequent cleaning is required whilst construction continues since chemicals in dust and particularly in cement may be activated by rain and cause permanent corrosion of the glass surface. Paint or plaster should not be allowed to splash or run onto the glass. Any that does get onto the glass should be cleaned off immediately whilst still wet.

The production labels and transport pads affixed onto the glass for delivery to site should be removed within 24 hours of glazing. If left on the glass for an extended period of time and exposed to sunlight the adhesive can harden making it more difficult to remove. A solvent such as acetone may be used in small amounts to spot clean residues of adhesive left on the glass taking care not to allow contact with glazing seals, gaskets, any paint finishes or the perimeter edge seal of an insulating glass unit.

It is recommended that glass be protected during construction to avoid harmful contamination for example from concrete and mortar slurry, paint and plaster.

Before cleaning commences

Before proceeding with cleaning, determine whether the glass is clear, tinted or reflective. Surface damage can be more noticeable on reflective glass when compared with clear uncoated glass. If the reflective coated surface is exposed, either externally or internally, special care must be taken when cleaning as scratches can remove the coating and result in visible changes to the light transmittance. Specialist glasses such as ‘Self Clean’ requires particular cleaning methods and the specific instructions for this product must be followed (Refer to Saint Gobain Bioclean® and Pilkington Activ® product folders for specific instructions).

The cleaning solution will dry before effective cleaning has occurred and the dry surface may also promote scratching. Excessive temperature changes of the glass should also be avoided, for example splashing hot water on cold glass or cold water on hot glass.

It is recommended that cleaning operators begin by cleaning a small area or window first then stop and examine the surface for any damage to the glass or coating bearing in mind that some types of scratches may be more visible under certain lighting conditions or times of the day.

Cleaning operations should commence at the top of the building and continue down to lower levels to reduce the risk of leaving residue and cleaning solution on glass.

Tinted and coated glasses should not be cleaned in direct sunlight, as the glass may be too hot for optimum cleaning.

Standard Cleaning Procedure

Cleaning during continuing construction work differs from ordinary routine cleaning mainly through the careful removal of debris from the glass surface. This is a delicate procedure and should be carried out by specifically trained professionals. Cleaning should start by thoroughly soaking the glass with clean water and soap solution to loosen dirt or debris.

Using mild, non-abrasive commercial window washing solution, uniformly apply the solution to the glass surfaces by spraying or with a brush, clean grit-free cloth or grit-free sponge. Using a circular motion and light to medium pressure, wipe the cleaning solution on the glass. Rinse the glass immediately with generous amounts of clean water making sure to remove all the cleaning solution. Use a clean lint-free cloth or a squeegee to dry the glass surface.

Care should be taken to ensure that no metal parts of the cleaning equipment make contact with the glass surface and that no abrasive particles are trapped between the glass and cleaning materials.

All water and cleaning solution residue should be dried from window frames, seals and gaskets to avoid any potential deterioration of these materials. If residues are still present on the glass the steps above should be repeated.

Abrasive cleaners, powder based cleaners, scouring pads or other harsh materials should not be used to clean the glass or frame surrounds.

Excess glazing compounds and sealants should be carefully removed from the glass and frame surrounds, taking care not to scratch the finished surfaces with tools or abrasives. Avoid scraping the glass with metal scrapers or blades. A solvent such as white spirit or professional glass cleaner may be used to remove any glazing compound, finger marks or grease taking care not to allow contact with glazing seals, gaskets, any paint finishes or the perimeter edge seal of an insulating glass unit. The glass can then be cleaned following the procedure above.

When paint or other construction materials cannot be removed by standard cleaning procedures, a new 25mm razor blade may be used on non-surface treated or non-coated glass surfaces. It should be used only on small spots and scraping carried out in one direction only. Note that this practice can cause a concentration of small hairline scratches that may be visible under certain lighting conditions.

Glass staining

Water runoff flowing over the façade of a building may carry contaminants onto the surface of the glass. These contaminants cause stains on the glass and can be extremely difficult to remove sometimes even chemically bonding to the glass surface. The most effective way of addressing this problem is to prevent runoff reaching the glass at the design stage by use of suitable drainage techniques employing flashings, reveals or drips for example.

Limescale and concrete stains can occur where rainwater has passed over masonry, concrete or mortar onto the glazing below. Insoluble salts of calcium crystallise on the glass surface and become chemically bound to it making it extremely difficult to remove using standard cleaning procedures.

Organic sealants may leach out solvents, oils or plasticisers and these may adhere very strongly onto the glass surface and cause staining. The sealant may not necessarily need to be adjacent to the glass to cause this problem as they could be carried over the glass by water runoff. This tends to be a greater problem when the building is new. Consult the sealant manufacturer for advice and follow their recommendations.

Weathering metals release oxides as they age and can cause staining on adjacent glazing. They occur where rainwater passes over metal flashing or other architectural elements and deposits metal oxides onto glazing. Iron, zinc, lead and copper are particularly prone to cause problems of this nature. The oxides adhere tenaciously onto the glass and expensive chemical cleaning techniques may be required if they are left on the glass for any length of time.

Glass should be examined frequently during construction to see if any build up is occurring. If so the glass should be cleaned immediately.

This causes a rough and pitted surface on glass. Any glass that has been damaged by weld spatter should be replaced, as the strength of the glass will have been unpredictably reduced.

Weld spatter

Temporary screens should be installed if welding, sandblasting or other potentially damaging construction process is being carried out near the glass.

Regular maintenance

It is essential that all installations are inspected and maintained during the lifetime of the building at regular intervals as recommended by the sealant and framing system manufacturers. The regular routine cleaning of the glass following the standard cleaning procedure detailed above will help to preserve the original appearance and performance characteristics.

Quick reference guide

Store glass in a safe manner in a suitable dry ventilated area out of direct sunlight and away from other sources of heat.
Check the specification of the glass products concerned to determine if they are tinted, coated or reflective and follow any specific instructions from the supplier.
Avoid cleaning the glass in direct sunlight, particularly tinted or coated glasses.
Clean frequently as and when dirt and residues appear on the glass both on the external surface and the internal surface.
Don’t allow splashed materials to dry on the glass surface.
Start cleaning at the top of the building and work downwards.
Start by cleaning a small area first and assessing it to see if the cleaning procedures have caused any damage.
Begin by thoroughly soaking the glass surface with clean water and soap solution to loosen debris and dirt.
Don’t use aggressive or abrasive cleaning solutions or materials.
Avoid use of metal scrapers and blades.
Make sure all cleaning solution is dried from gaskets, seals and frame surrounds.
Regularly inspect and maintain the glazing throughout the lifetime of the building and take remedial action as necessary or as recommended by the framing and sealant manufacturers.

Technical

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