Top 5 Benefits of Using Drones for Window Cleaning in Facility Management

Do you have your Part 107 certificate? If you're a drone pilot, the answer had better be yes. But what if you're not a drone pilot? Well, the BVLOS ARC has something to say about that. Their latest report recommends that all new Part 107 certificates include provisions for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operation. If you want to get your Part 107, you need to be prepared to fly your drone beyond your line of sight. Here's what you need to know.

 The BVLOS ARC is a committee of aviation experts formed in 2016 to study the usefulness of drone operations beyond visual line of sight. Their latest report recommends that the FAA include BVLOS provisions in all new Part 107 certificates. This would require all current and future drone pilots to be trained and certified to fly their drones beyond their line of sight.

The BVLOS ARC is recommending this change because they believe it will make drone operations safer and more efficient. Currently, drone pilots are only allowed to fly their drones within their line of sight. Meaning that you need to keep your drone in view at all times, which can be difficult, especially if the drone is flying at a distance.

If pilots were able to fly their drones beyond their line of sight, they would be able to use visual aids, such as First Person View (FPV) goggles, to keep track of the drone. This would make it much easier for pilots to see and avoid obstacles, and it would also allow them to fly the drone for longer periods of time.

The BVLOS ARC's recommendation is just that, a recommendation. It's up to the FAA to decide whether or not to include BVLOS provisions in the Part 107 certificate.

So what would this mean if the FAA made these recommended changes?

This new level of Part 107 certification would require pilots looking to fly beyond line of sight operations to attend online training and then take an online exam to earn a new certificate. This certificate would be an advanced form of Part 107 operations. With this new certificate, the need to have a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) for beyond line of sight operations would disappear. Which is good news because it's not economically viable to obtain a manned certificate, let alone a CFI certificate.

It's important to remember that these are recommendations and are currently not being enforced by the FAA. If you have any questions about getting your Part 107 or if you would like more information on what a Part 107 license is, you can click here for more info or call and speak to a Lucid Bots rep today.

Are you playing around with the idea of starting your own professional window cleaning service? Perhaps you’re looking for equipment for your future cleaning business and want to make sure it’s as effective as possible.

In the commercial window cleaning business, your profits are directly linked with your team’s efficiency. It’s only with the best window cleaning tools that your team can work faster and without any or minimal mistakes.

Below, we explore the basic necessities for a window cleaning company from equipment to solutions, as well as introduce the most effective piece of equipment for washing windows today—implementing drones.

But first, we’ll jump into the traditional solutions.

Basic Window Cleaning Tools

Image Source

The traditional window cleaning kit has everything you need to take on large residential and commercial glass cleaning tasks. Here’s the list of window washing equipment you’ll need.

• Squeegee: You can use a window squeegee blade to remove or control the flow of cleaning solution on the window surface. Choose an Unger squeegee that has a metal frame and a replaceable rubber blade.
• Sponge: You can use a sponge, washer, or scrubber to apply your cleaning products to the window. Like squeegees, they also come in different types and sizes to help with the job at hand. If required, you can purchase sleeves (either with general cotton, abrasive scrubbing pads, or microfiber) and T-bars apiece.
• Bucket: An obvious tool, but you must pay attention to get the right bucket. You cannot go with a bucket of any shape or depth. The Ettore super bucket is an optimal choice—it is durable and of accurate dimensions to fit all your window cleaning equipment.
• Dish soap: It’s best to rely on a simple solution to clean the window glass. You can mix Dawn or Palmolive with water for a cost-effective yet professional wash.
• Towels: If you do not want lint or streaks to appear after washing the window, you must add towels to your window cleaning supply. You can go with either surgical towels or microfiber cloths. The best thing is they are reusable and help you achieve a streak-free glass surface.
• Ladder: When you clean windows the traditional way, you’ll need a sturdy ladder. A good choice is to use a standard 3-foot step ladder while covering your bases with a 20-foot Wener extension ladder.

Choosing a Cleaning Solution

You would think you need a bunch of complicated chemicals and solutions for exterior window cleaning, but all you need is water and a mild detergent of some kind. Most industry professionals opt for dish soap.

As an alternative, you could consider Lucid Clear, a solution developed by Lucid Bots that leaves a streak-free, spot-free perfect shine for window cleaning. The best part about this product is that you can essentially clean a window without even touching it, which proves to be a revolutionary feature for commercial window cleaning businesses.

If you own a window washing company, you can simply transition to the Lucid Bots cleaning drone with any chemical that your team already uses! Learn more about the safety features of our drones today.

Alternative Ways to Clean Your Windows

If you’re an exterior cleaner looking to add window washing to your business, you may be considering a host of options, but see below to weigh the pros and cons of each.

Water-Fed Pole

Image Source

When cleaning high-rise windows, water-fed poles are safer than ladders as they allow you to reach and clean inaccessible areas. Many commercial window cleaning companies opt for this option since it does allow workers to stay on the ground.

However, a water-fed pole cleaning system won’t be beneficial in washing oily windows. It also limits the cleaning ability of bird excreta, snail trails, paint, cement, plaster and other stains.

Using water-fed poles means that the job is only as fast as you are using the tool. It’s not necessarily the quickest or most effective way to get the job done.

Using a Drone

Cleaning multi-storied and high-rise building windows can be challenging, even with cleaning platforms like ropes and scaffolding.

Here’s where drones can make a big difference. They are built to carry heavier loads (cleaning equipment and fluids) and are a far quicker and more cost-effective option for commercial cleaning, compared to the traditional cleaning options out there today like lifts and scaffolding. Window washers wanting to add a drone can do so quickly and easily.

Any window washing or exterior cleaning team can use drones to fly to the required height and target all these inaccessible areas that need cleaning without putting any of their cleaners at risk. And the best thing is it isn’t hard to fly these drones. Good initial onboarding is all that your team needs to control the drones and conduct the cleaning operation.

Moreover, drones incorporate the best form of cleaning technique to wash windows: soft wash. Unlike pressure washing, the soft wash cleaning method uses low-pressure water jets, combined with detergents, or our chemical solution like Lucid Clear.

Lucid Clear makes it so that workers do not need to touch the window in order to clean it, meaning that you can get the job done more efficiently by changing your solution. Learn more about Lucid Clear and safe window cleaning with a drone to ensure that all stubborn stains are cleaned safely in a short span of time without leaving behind any streak marks.

Safely Clean Hard-to-reach Windows with Lucid Drones

Commercial window cleaning is a task that requires a good deal of investment in the right set of tools and manual labor. The common thought is that pressure washing and extension pole window cleaning is better than traditional window cleaning (using a ladder and a hose pipe), they aren’t efficient. Either they lead to property/bodily harm or do not deliver the expected cleanliness.

The best alternative for your window washing team is to clean windows using drones like the industry-acclaimed Lucid Bots cleaning drone. It makes your job safe, fast, and cost-efficient with features like:

• Urban flight: To fly safely even in areas with poor GPS connection.
• Multi-directional spray nozzle: To facilitate upward and downward spray and thus reach and clean hard-to-access sites.
• Easy integration: To connect with any soft wash pump.

Connect with Lucid Bots today and take your commercial window cleaning business to the next level.

Drone Usage Is on the Rise for Window Cleaning

Did you know that the global market for commercial drones is expected to reach a value of almost $71.2 billion by 2027, having a CAGR of 28.41%?

{% module_block module "widget_1680541519631" %}{% module_attribute "child_css" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "css" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "definition_id" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}null{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "field_types" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"image_field":"image","styles":"group"}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "image_field" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"alt":"image1-2","height":400,"loading":"lazy","max_height":400,"max_width":600,"size_type":"auto","src":"https://22607993.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22607993/image1-2.png","width":600}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "label" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"animated-image"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "module_id" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}93762053287{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "path" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"/Designly child/modules/animated-image"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "schema_version" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}2{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_objects" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}[]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"NOT_SMART"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "styles" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"animation":{"animation":"none"},"width":{"width":null}}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "wrap_field_tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"div"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% end_module_block %}

This means it can have a significant impact on the future of your window cleaning company — that is, if you’re ready to embrace the future. 

Drone usage in commercial window cleaning is on the rise, with more companies embracing technology as a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional methods. 

If you want to learn more about why window cleaners (and others) are beginning to embrace drones as a safer, and more profitable, method, check out this free webinar.

In this article, we will review the advantages of using drones for your regular window cleaning needs, as well as the future prospects of this technology in the industry.

Benefits of Window Cleaning Services Using a Drone

Now that we've discussed how drone usage is on the rise in the commercial window washing and cleaning industry, let's take a closer look at some of the specific benefits of using drones for this task.

Drones have a greater return on investment.

Using drones for your professional window cleaning service will also provide a greater return on investment. While the initial investment in purchasing and operating a drone may seem costly, the long-term benefits can outweigh the costs.

Moreover, using drones for window cleaning can provide a competitive advantage for companies in the window cleaning industry. With the growing demand for safer and more efficient cleaning solutions, the use of drones can help companies stand out from their competitors and attract more customers.

Drones can even provide additional revenue streams for cleaning companies. With one drone, professional window cleaners can clean a building faster, but with multiple drones in your toolkit, your company can cover multiple jobs at the same time in significantly less time.

For example, say you charged $5,000 to clean a building that would normally take 5 days to complete with traditional cleaning methods. Using the Lucid Bots cleaning drone, your team could complete the job in a day, freeing up your week to manage more jobs.

If you had two or more drones, you can either speed up larger jobs, or take on multiple jobs in a single day with an average-sized team of less than 10 people.

Overall, the greater efficiency and versatility that using drones provides can lend a significant return on investment for cleaning companies that are willing to be in it for the long haul.

Drones are safer than traditional window cleaning.

Traditional window cleaning methods often require workers to use ladders, scaffolding, or other intimidating equipment to reach windows in high areas. This can be dangerous to both the staff working at such heights and to the pedestrians on the ground level who may not pay much heed to the situation. 

Falls are a major risk for workers in this field. In fact, according to studies by the U.S. Bureau of Labor, in 2020, this event exposed workers and contributed to 32% of the total injuries and illnesses faced by those in the industry that year. 

Drones offer a safer alternative, as they eliminate the need for workers to perform these dangerous tasks. With drones, workers can control the cleaning process from a safe distance, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. Moreover, drones can provide access to hard-to-reach areas without putting workers in harm's way.

Using drones for window cleaning can not only improve worker safety but also reduce liability for cleaning companies. Accidents and injuries on the job can be costly, leading to potential legal fees and compensation payments.

The Lucid Bots cleaning drone has a collision prevention system that allows it to detect and avoid obstacles in its path. Our drones’ fail safes allow the drone to land safely 100% of the time, further reducing the risk of accidents. Furthermore, our drones also take less setup space than lifts and scaffolding systems for easy management by your team and everyone’s benefit.

Drones can access hard-to-reach places.

One of the main benefits of using drones for window cleaning is their ability to access hard-to-reach places. Traditional methods of window washing services often require workers to use ladders, scaffolding, or other equipment to reach dirty windows in high or difficult-to-access areas. This can be time-consuming and dangerous, as falls are a major risk for workers in this field.

Drones, on the other hand, are able to fly to heights of up to 110 feet (based on FAA guidelines), providing a safe and efficient alternative for high-rise window cleaning. In fact, the Lucid Bots cleaning drone was designed specifically for this purpose. With urban flight capabilities and window payload attachment, this drone can clean all those tough spots your own window washer personnel may have missed.

Additionally, drones can access tight spaces or areas in exterior window cleaning that are difficult to reach with traditional equipment. This can include corners, curved or angled glass, and window screens with irregular shapes. 

With drones, cleaning crews can now clean all areas of a building's exterior, not just the easy spots.

Drones are significantly faster than traditional window cleaning equipment.

Another major benefit of using drones for cleaning commercial buildings is their speed. Drones are significantly faster than traditional window cleaning equipment and can clean dirt and grime on a larger surface area in a shorter amount of time.

For example, the Lucid Bots cleaning drone is built with a multi-directional spray nozzle, making it easier to clean the target areas faster. This is because the drone can cover a larger surface area in a shorter amount of time, without the need for manual labor or equipment setup.

Plus, some drones offer high-resolution cameras and precise control systems which can detect and target specific areas that require cleaning, such as hard-to-reach sills or areas with stubborn stains. 

Plan for the Future with the Lucid CLEANING Drone

The future of commercial window cleaning is here and it comes in the form of drones. No matter the years of experience you have in the field, if you don’t embrace this innovative technology, you may lose out. Cleaning companies can significantly improve their efficiency, safety, and bottom line through the use of drones. 

Among the top-performing drones on the market today is the Lucid Bots cleaning drone, which offers unparalleled cleaning capabilities, thanks to its high-precision navigation, accurate control systems, and advanced safety features. 

By incorporating the Lucid Bots cleaning drone into their services, window cleaning service businesses can plan for the future and stay leagues ahead of the competition.