Have you ever been inside a high-rise building and looked out to find someone descending with a rope, meticulously cleaning the windows? You have to thank abseiling window cleaners, who, through their nerves of steel, ensure that high-rise windows remain spotless.

Abseiling window cleaning, also known as rope access window cleaning, is a method of cleaning the windows or really tall buildings using special equipment. Professional high-rise window cleaners are brave individuals who defeat the fear of height to do this job.

In this piece, we will talk about rope access window cleaning and how it differs from other methods of high-rise window cleaning. As one of the top high-rise window cleaning companies in Chicago, we will be able to give you some inside information on how this challenging task is done.

High-Rise Window Cleaning Methods

Professionals use several methods when it comes to high-rise window cleaning. We will compare each with abseiling window cleaning and figure out why it’s the most popular option out there.

Suspended Platforms

Cradles or Building Maintenance Units (BMUs) are suspended platforms that are often used for high-rise window cleaning. These platforms are motorized and attached to the roof. 

As you can already guess, having this type of equipment for cleaning high-rise windows is going to be very expensive. Also, not all buildings have their windows in areas wide enough to fit a cradle. 

Abseiling window cleaning is preferred over this method because it is much cheaper, and cleaners can access areas where BMUs cannot. 

Aerial Work Platforms

Unlike suspended platforms that are attached to the roof and lowered roof by roof, aerial work platforms go ground up. In these cases, cherry pickers or scissors lifts are used to access high ground. 

The main challenge with this type of system is that they are not suitable for high buildings that are 10-30 stories tall. On top of that, similar to suspended platforms, they need enough spaces to operate. 

Water Fed Poles

Water-fed poles can also go pretty high, but they are not suitable for tall buildings. Then, there are questions about drying the cleaned-out areas to prevent streaks. While this option is suitable for buildings that are a couple of stories tall, high-rises will not benefit from it.

How Does Abseiling Window Cleaning Work?

Professionals abseil to clean windows by attaching themselves to anchor points at the topmost point of the building. They carefully descend the face of the building using ropes, harnesses, and other safety equipment while simultaneously cleaning the windows. The gadgets allow cleaners to move both vertically and horizontally, hence allowing them to reach every window pane and navigate around architectural elements.

Benefits of Abseiling Window Cleaning

We have already touched on the benefits of rope access window cleaning earlier here and there. In this section, we will go a bit more in-depth.

Getting Around Complex Facades

Window cleaners can easily navigate architectural elements, including ledges, cornices, and recessed panels by abseiling. 

Even in locations where scaffolds or BMUs cannot follow the layout of the building, technicians use rope adjusters and friction devices to move both up and down and side to side, ensuring that all glass surfaces are covered.

Minimal Load on Roof and Structural Elements

Abseiling uses light anchor systems that distribute the weight over several locations rather than large cradle counterweights or scaffold frames. 

Reducing the strain on roof membranes and parapets helps to maintain the stability of both new and older buildings.

Customizable, Non-Invasive Anchor Placement

Technicians who are qualified by IRATA choose anchor points that stay away from roofing materials and decorative elements that could break. They use movable anchors and webbing slings to put tie-offs on sound structural members, often without going through finishes, so that important architectural features don’t get damaged.

Enhanced Safety on Irregular Roof Profiles

Working on roofs with more than one level, domes, or parapets is made safer by thorough site evaluations and backup techniques. Every rope and anchor is tested to ensure they match IRATA criteria before going down. This enables technicians to operate securely in areas where other instruments would be hazardous or ineffective.