Screen Washing and Window Cleaning in NDG: What Homeowners Should Know
Picture a duplex owner in NDG who notices three torn screens on the second floor after a windy week with the windows open, the mesh ripped where tree branches brush the house. It makes sense to plan screen care and the window cleaning together, so the clean glass isn't sitting behind torn, dirty mesh all summer.
Why screens get damaged in NDG homes
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce has plenty of mature trees that drop pollen, twigs and small debris onto window frames. A two-storey house or duplex on a typical NDG street sees constant pressure on the screens from wind, branches and seasonal wear. Most owners notice the damage in spring when they open the windows again.
To be clear about what we do: Altara cleans windows; we don't repair or replace screens. What we can do is clean them. During every exterior visit, screens are rinsed in place. If you add screen removal and washing, each screen comes out, gets washed and goes back in, and the crew will let you know about any tears or bent frames they notice along the way. That gives you a clear list to bring to a screen repair shop or hardware store.
How a visit with screen washing runs
The crew starts outside with water-fed poles and deionized water. That system leaves no mineral spots once the glass dries, and it covers the exterior glass, frames and sills, which is what our flat rate includes. If you've added screen washing, the screens are cleaned while the crew works. If you've added interior glass, the crew squeegees and details each pane inside, and if you've added track cleaning, tracks are vacuumed and wiped before the screens go back in.
Is screen washing included or an add-on?
Rinsing screens in place is part of every exterior visit. Removing and properly washing them is an optional add-on at extra cost, as are interior glass and track cleaning. You choose these when you book, so the price is set before the crew arrives.
Skipping proper screen care is a mistake for many NDG properties. Once a tear lets insects or pollen inside, clean glass only helps so much. That's why it's worth getting torn screens fixed at a screen shop around the same time as the cleaning.
What if my screens need more than a wash?
If a frame is bent or the mesh is torn, it needs a repair or a new screen. The simplest order is: have the screens repaired first, then book the cleaning, so freshly repaired screens go back onto clean windows. If you'd rather do the cleaning first, add screen washing and the crew will point out damaged screens so you know exactly which ones to take in.
Exterior work is seasonal, running roughly March to November, so spring is the natural time to line both up before windows stay open full time.
Spring and fall versus one visit a year
Many NDG homes book a spring visit for pollen and a fall visit for leaf dust. Both the spring and fall program and the spring-only annual program come with an automated reminder before your next visit, so the date doesn't slip. An annual spring-only program works for owners who close their windows early in autumn. Neither carries a discount; the recurring discounts are for quarterly (10%), bi-monthly (15%) and monthly (20%) service.
Height is rarely an issue in NDG. Our water-fed poles reach up to three storeys from the ground, which covers standard detached homes and duplexes without ladders. Anything taller or with awkward access gets a site visit before pricing.
Practical notes for NDG homeowners
Pick your window-count tier on our pricing page and book online. No one needs to schedule an in-home visit just to get a price. That removes the back-and-forth that can drag on for days.
A common frustration with track cleaning is dust scattered across freshly cleaned sills. When tracks are part of the job, the crew vacuums with brush tools and wipes afterward, which keeps the light-coloured window frames common in NDG duplexes looking clean.
The pure-water exterior pass earns its keep on east-facing windows that catch morning light. Residue from detergent-based cleaners shows up as streaks once the sun hits. Deionized water avoids that. And every window is spot-checked before the crew leaves; if you see a streak afterward, contact us within 24 hours and the crew returns to re-clean it at no charge.
NDG homes with mature trees benefit most from pairing screen care with glass cleaning. Pollen and small branches hit the screens first, and dealing with both in spring prevents insect problems once the windows stay open.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a torn window screen can be patched or needs replacing?
Small punctures and minor tears can usually be patched with matching mesh. A bent frame or mesh that is shredded across a large area generally means the screen needs replacing. A screen repair shop can tell you which applies; if you've added screen washing to your cleaning, the crew will point out damage they notice.
How are window screens cleaned during a visit?
Screens are rinsed in place during every exterior visit. If you add screen removal and washing, each screen is taken out, washed and reinstalled, and if you add track cleaning, the tracks are vacuumed and wiped before the screens go back in.
When is the best time to have window screens washed and checked in NDG?
Spring, before the windows stay open for the season. Most NDG owners notice tree and wind damage when they first open up after winter. With screen washing added to a spring visit, the crew points out torn or bent screens early, which leaves time to get them fixed at a screen shop before insects and pollen arrive.
Do I need an in-home visit to get a price for window cleaning in NDG?
No. You pick your window-count tier online and book. Screen washing, interior glass and track cleaning can be added when you book.
Ready to plan your spring visit? Pick your tier and book online, or contact us with any questions. More practical notes appear on the Altara blog.