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There are many areas of external maintenance that should be listed as vital for any household and keeping your guttering clean is definitely one of them. It's important to keep your gutter clean for lots of reasons and clear and clean guttering can prevent many long term structural problems from occurring.

The guttering around your home is susceptible at all times of year to damage brought about by the elements. It goes without saying that autumn is a particular time when your gutters are vulnerable with an abundance of leaves and other debris flying around. If the gutters aren't kept clear then this in turn can lead to a heavy build up of deposits including leaves, moss and algae.

Any obstructions in the guttering can obviously prevent adequate drainage and this can lead to the build up of damp, leading to structural damage around the home.

In the worst case scenarios, gutters that are left for considerable periods of time can become so heavy with obstructions that they can pull away from the wall entirely, bringing brickwork and masonry along with them. As you can imagine, major repair work such as this can be very costly indeed yet it can be prevented very easily.

With low guttering such as that around free standing garages, it can be simple to maintain and keep free of debris. A regular check up can prevent the build up of dirt, leaves, moss and other elements. Dead birds are one of the major causes of gutter blockage and these should be checked for on a regular basis. Always make sure to rinse through the area thoroughly with a hose to make sure that water continues to run through freely.

In the main, gutter cleaning at height should be left to the experts. A professional firm can be called upon to work at any height and by carefully choosing the right contractor, you can be certain that they have received all of the necessary training and safety instructions to carry out the job effectively.

State of the art gutter vacuum tools assisted by high pressure water hoses make sure that no dirt or debris is left and water can run through unobstructed.

Ideally your gutters should be thoroughly cleaned twice a year in order to make sure they work to their full capacity. By doing that you will ensure that water continues to drain away from your property, thus preventing expensive long term structural damage.

Window cleaning is an age old profession that has managed to stand the test of time. It can be an extremely lucrative profession if it is carried out correctly and you have the proper equipment to carry out the job quickly and efficiently. In years gone by most people would have simply used a cloth and a set of ladders, but there has been a number of technological advances made in recent years that have not only made the job easier but also a lot safer. The Reach and Wash window cleaning system is one of the most impressive inventions the industry has seen for a number of decades, it allows you to reach extremely high windows without the danger of climbing high ladders.

The Reach and Wash window cleaning system uses a number of extremely strong and flexible glass and carbon fibre poles that are linked together securely to form a pole that can reach almost any window. The maximum length the pole can be safely extended to is around 65ft; this allows you to service almost any domestic window without a problem. It has been proven to give a far better clean that any of the traditional window cleaning methods.

The water that is used in the Reach and Wash window cleaning system is completely pure. This is one of the key factors that help the system to offer such an excellent result. The purified water that is pumped up through the pipes into the cleaning brush on the end has a strong urge to return to its impure state, this is the nature of pure water. This means that once the pure water hits the glass it will absorb all of the dirt and filth on the windows that has been left by rain or other elements. This is something that standard water simply cannot do and the reason why pure water is the best for window cleaning.

There are no detergents or chemicals required to operate the Reach and Wash system which means that it is much better for the environment. As there is no need for a ladder to be used it is also much safer for the user and also provides a higher degree of privacy for the individual that is having their windows cleaned. All in all this is a truly excellent cleaning system that uses the natural properties of the water to clean the windows rather than cleaning products.

The old image of the casual window cleaner, was very much of a tradesman who would appear unannounced at a row of houses one afternoon, brandishing a ladder, mop and bucket of water and proceeding to clean all the street's windows.

Nowadays of course, things have changed. Health and safety, the insurance climate and the wider societal changes around the environment and green awareness in particular mean that window cleaners are now obliged to operate in more formalised and professional ways and often within companies and sub-contracted operations.

Operating under a 'green' cleaning policy can also be a great marketing tool for winning and retaining customers, particularly in those residential areas where affluence, education and 'green' awareness are likely to be of key concern to residents and where customers may wish to spend a little more for a 'green' window cleaning service.

The window cleaning industry as standard now is required to use non-harmful chemicals to carry out work and much of this is regulated by government policy and local trading standards. Harmful chemicals which could leak into the water supply and damage the environment are forbidden and penalties for using such chemicals can be high - often stringent fines or even custodial sentences. It is valuable to speak to the local council for advice from their trading standards and business support and development teams, for details of the latest legislations and 'good practice' guidelines. There may even be local accreditations and standards run by councils and other industry bodies to accredit positive cleaning practices and mark out 'green' window cleaners. Such accreditations are worth pursuing as a mark of your operations' quality and to market your service effectively to customers.

Many window cleaners are investigating new cleaning processes which use gentle detergents. Some even no longer require detergents, such as the waterfed pole cleaning methods. Recycling is also key and many window cleaners will now demonstrate their commitment to minimising waste, recycling old materials and disposing of waste in an environmentally-friendly way. They may also drive low emission vehicles and commit to similarly low-waste processes and approaches in any back office functions - particularly larger companies.

Window cleaners also now demonstrate their environmental credentials in other ways - for example showing a concern for the wider society by taking on apprentices and other trainees and teaching them the business. This supports the community in equally valuable ways and can show commitment to the customer base.

Ultimately, the move towards greener products that care for the environment will no longer be an optional marketing strategy. Legislation is likely to become ever more stringent under a government who are committed to reducing carbon emissions and waste and customers are increasingly aware of their role within a green society. Equally too the drive in the current climate is for cost-conscious products and services, so cleaning approaches that are cost-effective and green are the holy grail! As the industry develops, it will be interesting to see which new products and services appear on the market for commercial window cleaners to use and how these can be incorporated into the window cleaner's business plan for winning and retaining new custom.

Window cleaning, whether domestic properties or high rise office buildings, is a potentially dangerous activity. The risk of falling from heights is a priority for window cleaning companies and employees to mitigate and the best way to achieve this is by adopting excellent health and safety procedures.

Published guidance by the UK's Health and Safety Executive covers many of the aspects of window cleaning, including using ladders, using cradles and cherry pickers and best practice for rope access techniques. Employers not following this guidance risk prosecution and potentially injuring or harming an employee or member of the public.

Before undertaking any window cleaning work, contractors should start by identifying how far from the ground the job is. They also need to assess the type of surface the equipment will rest on and how secure this will make the ladder or other equipment. The surface needs to be strong enough to take the weight of the workers and any equipment they are using, so accurate investigation is paramount before choosing where to site the equipment and what equipment to use.

On the day of the job, workers need to take into account the weather conditions at the site and make allowances for increased hazards in wet, windy or freezing conditions. Equipment should be the best suitable for the environment in which it is being used and should also be suitable for the job in hand, taking into account glass size, type and any angles involved. If the job can be completed from the ground a waterfed pole system could be used, or if the windows in the building can be angled to allow both sides to be cleaned from inside the building then the risk of falling would be eliminated.

If there is a flat roof near the job it may be possible to work from here, but the roof will need to be assessed for strength and suitability. Guard rails are a positive addition to prevent falls but as most flat roofs do not have these it can be worth seeing if one can be installed if the job is likely to take a long time. The use of mobile elevated work platforms or cherry pickers or even a tower scaffold is highly recommended in the situation where the job involves heights or a lengthy duration.

Many window cleaning companies still use ladders for the majority of the work and there is no great issue with this as long as certain factors are taken into consideration. If the job is low risk and short in duration then a ladder can be a quick and easy way to provide access, but the ladder needs to be long enough to safely reach the work area and needs to be adequately secured to minimise risks.

Most important of all is that the people who will be undertaking the job and using the equipment are adequately trained and qualified to do so. Any hired equipment should be fully tested and workers briefed on its use prior to installing it and regular breaks should be worked into the daily schedule. An emergency plan should be put in place to deal with falls or injury and companies should not be afraid to turn down work if the job seems too risky.

It used to be the case that anyone could get a ladder, bucket and sponge and call themselves a professional window cleaner. Nowadays in the world of increased health and safety regulations, as well as new restrictions on water usage, it is essential for window cleaners to be properly trained, accredited by a professional body and insured. After all, window cleaning is one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK with several window cleaners dying and many more being injured every year. Window cleaning hazards include falling from heights or simply slipping on soapy water and as a result there are a growing number of regulations coming into effect to protect both the professionals that work in the industry as well as members of the public.

Window cleaning is a skilled profession which requires the mastery of many techniques to do the job right. There are a number of specialist tools and techniques employed by professional window cleaners which give a far superior finish to "at home" methods such as old newspaper or a wet cloth. Many professional window cleaners will have enrolled on a course at The British Window Cleaning Academy, an industry standard institution which provides quality training to raise the standards of window cleaning throughout the UK. Window cleaners also need to be fully compliant with HSE regulations as well as having a comprehensive public liability insurance policy to cover them in the event of a mishap.

The main regulations that affect UK window cleaners are the Working at Height Regulations which came into force in 2005. These regulations ensure that window cleaners are working safely without over reaching, stepping off ladders and working on windowsills or working on excessively long ladders. Many of these working practises used to be seen as an unavoidable part of the job, but the reality is that they are highly dangerous methods and have resulted in numerous accidents. It may take longer to do the job safely but safety is paramount and no professional window cleaner will work outside the HSE's guidelines. Ladders are still permitted under the new rules, but only within a very strict set of guidelines and alternative methods such as scaffolding towers are becoming increasingly popular as a means to do the job.

The newly developed Water-Fed Pole Systems are an incredibly efficient way of working within the HSE Working at Height Regulations. More and more windows can be cleaned from the ground using this method, which means that the risk of accidents is significantly reduced. There are other advantages to Water-Fed Pole Systems too. They use a minimal amount of pure water, which is sprayed through the soft brush at the top of the pole. This method removes dirt and impurities with a minimum of effort and the water simply evaporates away leaving a streak free finish. Water-Fed Pole Systems are quick, easy and use less water than some traditional methods, making them compliant with the potential drought order proposals from DEFRA which are looking at banning any non-essential use of water.

There's no denying it, regulations for window cleaners are getting ever stricter, but if you look at the HSE's statistics it is easy to see why. Public Liability Insurance, HSE compliance as well as a comprehensive understanding of COSHH regulations and the safe usage of powered equipment to work at height are all essential parts of the modern day window cleaner's qualifications. Today it is an industry of highly trained professionals who are working hard to keep your windows gleaming.

Tinted windows can be found in a vast number of buildings from ancient churches to the modern, cutting edge building designs. It is easy to assume, particularly on modern buildings, that tinted windows can be cleaned in the same manner as any other type of window. In fact this could not be further from the truth.

Tinted windows require specialist and professional attention to avoid irreversible damage to the tint that could result in having to replace them in their entirety.

LaddersFree are specialist window cleaners and one area of expertise is cleaning tinted windows.

LaddersFree window cleaning operatives take great pride in careful and precise cleaning of these delicate areas and have the necessary specialist window cleaning equipment and trained window cleaning experts to carry out such requirements.

When dealing with window cleaning quotations for areas such as this, which often can be aprt of our country's heritage, make sure you contact an expert. We have teams across the country who can undertake such delicate cleans at competitive prices.

Over the years buildings have been getting considerably higher. High rise developments are now a common site in many cities across the world with one building in excess of 800 metres tall. So, how do we clean all those hard to reach windows? Whether the building is an apartment block, offices or a hotel, clean windows can be a necessity.

Commercial window cleaning to buildings of up to six storeys in height can potentially be carried out by using water fed poles but for buildings of a greater height than this a more sophisticated window cleaning system in required. For these buildings a mobile elevated platform could be used or a scaffold tower. Even these methods used by professional window cleaners cannot be used for buildings that are vast in height.

Many modern tall buildings have anchor points on the roof to allow a window cleaner to abseil down, cleaning the windows as he goes down. Anchor points are often also found to be in place for cradles that can be lowered down the building.

Due to the strict health & safety regulations in place these methods are definitely a job for professionals who not only have the correct equipment for the job but also have the correct insurance to carry out such work.

Over the past few years there have been many attempts to invent a window cleaning system that avoids the need for human operatives. Finally, a window cleaning robot has been invented in Korea that does just this.’ Windoro’ is a robotic system that consists of two parts, one part for the inside of a window, the other for the outside. The two parts have a powerful magnetic system that ensures it sticks to glass up to 2.5cm thick.

The robotic system firstly travels up to the top of the glass, down to the bottom of the glass and then left to right to determine the size of the window to be cleaned. It then moves methodically around on the glass at approximately 8cm per second ensuring that the whole window is cleaned. Designed for window cleaning to shops and household, the robot is unsuitable for carrying out window cleaning to larger buildings.

Windoro will be on sale in Korea from February this year and will have reached the European and USA markets by April, costing around $400 USD.