Cleaning windows high above the city 'ultimate relaxation'

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Man first came down from the trees and then moved out of caves to eventually build glass skyscrapers that need to be washed.

And today we have monkey-like trapeze people swinging on ropes 70 floors up with squeegees.

“Going over the edge is the hardest part at first,” said Nick Blodans, an owner of Sky High Window Services since 2013. “We aren’t climbing to our doom. If it’s done right it’s not a high-risk job.”

It’s actually a tranquil job up in the clouds with the best vistas in the city and out of earshot of the chaos on the streets below.

“It can be the ultimate relaxation. I know some people think we are crazy and I get a kick out of those people who work in an office at a sit down job and I ask them if they are crazy because I couldn’t do that job,” said Blodans, who has had careers in construction, as a firefighter and rescue training.

“We get the daredevils and crazy people wanting a job, but we steer away from those people,” he said. “I want rock climbers. mountaineers and firefighters. You need a healthy dose of fear and confidence or accidents will happen.”

Roofers — those who free climb buildings, bridges or cranes for a dangerous selfie need not apply.

Residents of buildings where the windows are being washed are given notice of the date and are advised to close their blinds.

“For some reason we can catch people off guard,” Blodans said. “We have seen everything.”

“Kids get super excited and they wave and love you. Dogs hate you and bark their heads off at you. Cats love you because they like to follow the squeegee,” he said.

An exhibitionist once came up to Blodans on the ground and asked if he had seen what he and his wife had been doing.

“You catch people doing those things, you name it,” he said.

Sky High uses the Rope Access system used by firefighters, which is not the Ministry of Labour standard in the province.

The Rope Access system has redundancies, such as double the anchors and safety lines. Rope Access can prevent a potential fall within two feet while traditional cleaning mechanisms can allow the cleaner to fall up to 20 feet before jolting them to a stop.

“We go above the safety standards so I can sleep at night,” Blodans said. “That way the only thing I have to worry about is (window cleaning) streaks.”

Guys who have the top Rope Access credentials, which are in demand world-wide, can travel the globe for work. Most window washers get paid by the pane of glass and earn roughly $200 a day.

When Blodans isn’t working, he’s involved with the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians and the International Window Cleaning Association to implement industry improvements.

He also supervises the Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope charity event each summer where people rappel down City Hall to raise funds and make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Blodans’ offered one piece of advice before dropping over any edge — go to the bathroom first.

kconnor@postmedia.com