Reaching New Heights: How We Tackle London’s Most Complex Window Cleaning Challenges
When you’re working in the heart of Central London, right in the shadow of the iconic London Eye, the views are world-class—but the challenges are just as significant. At Clearview, we pride ourselves on being a "one-stop shop" for property maintenance, meaning no matter how complex the architecture or how busy the location, we find a way to get the job done.
We recently took on a flagship two-week project at a stunning site near South Bank. This wasn’t your average window cleaning job; it required a blend of technical expertise, innovative equipment, and a team that definitely doesn’t have a fear of heights!
Innovation Over Obstacles: The Dead Weight Trolley Solution
One of the most common hurdles we face with older or listed buildings in London is the lack of a certified eyebolt system. Normally, abseilers rely on these fixed anchor points to rig their gear safely. However, regulations change, systems fail, or in some cases, the building simply wasn't designed with them in mind.
So, how do you safely clean windows 100 feet up when there’s nothing to hook onto?
Enter the Dead Weight Trolley system.
As our Director, Michael, explained on-site, we don't let a lack of infrastructure stop us. Our team utilised a specialised weight stack system—a deadweight trolley—which serves as a portable, high-security anchor point on the roof. This allows our operatives to rig their ropes and descend safely without needing permanent fixtures on the building itself.
Expert Hands, Expert Training
Safety isn’t just about the gear; it’s about the people using it. For this project, we deployed a highly skilled team, including IRATA Level 3 trained operatives like Nelson and Andreas.
To put that in perspective, achieving Level 3 status is the pinnacle of rope access training, often requiring thousands of hours of experience. This level of expertise is vital when navigating "complex drops" that involve:
Edge Protection: Using mat protectors and metal wire sleeves to ensure ropes don't damage the building’s heritage stonework or concrete edges.
Rigging Precision: Utilising "bunny" knots and dual carabiner systems to ensure 100% safety redundancy.
Traffic Management: Coordinating work above the busy main roads of Central London.
Protecting London’s Architecture
Many of the buildings we maintain are historic or even listed. We understand that we are caretakers of these structures. During the South Bank project, the team was meticulous about using surface protection to ensure that while the glass ended up sparkling, the building's facade remained completely untouched and respected.
Why Complexity Doesn’t Scare Us
Whether it’s a mix of abseiling and "reach and wash" systems or a project requiring a bespoke weight stack solution, our philosophy is simple: we find the solution.
This two-week intensive clean is a testament to what happens when you combine the right technology with the best-trained operatives in the UK. We’re proud to keep London’s skyline looking its best, one elevation at a time.
Watch the video where Michael talks us through the process of cleaning an iconic London site.
