Salt film on Dundarave view windows and glass railings

The situation

The owners of a home just up the hill from the Dundarave waterfront noticed that their view of the water had gone soft. The big living room windows had a grey haze, and the glass railings on the deck were covered in dried water spots that wouldn't wipe off with a cloth.

Rain hadn't helped. If anything, it seemed to make things worse.

What's causing it

Near the water, wind-driven rain and spray carry salt and fine grime that dry onto the glass as a film. When rain lands on already dirty glass, it dissolves that film and redeposits it as spots as it dries. Clean glass sheds rain much better than dirty glass.

Glass railings catch it from both sides, plus fingerprints, sunscreen and pet nose prints.

How we approach it

Upper windows are cleaned with a water-fed pole and purified water. Because the water has no dissolved minerals, it dries clear without spots, and we can scrub the frames and sills at the same time without ladders against the siding.

The large feature windows and the railings are finished by hand with a squeegee for a crisp, streak-free result. Railings are done on both sides where they can be reached safely, taking care around the metal posts and the deck surface.

If we find spots that won't come off with normal cleaning, they may be mineral etching in the glass itself. That can't be fixed by cleaning, and we'll tell you if that's what we see.

How often?

Homes right on the water often need two or more cleanings a year to keep the view clear. We usually suggest a schedule after the first clean, once we've seen how quickly the glass gets dirty again.

Questions we hear