Would you say that you relish the idea of cleaning? We’ll assume not as most people don’t and even less so when they have a traditional conservatory roof that needs cleaning.
There’s no denying that maintaining an old roof conservatory so that it looks in good nick isn’t the most fun job in the world, however you don’t want to skip doing it and risk issues like leaks or see your aerial views masked by dirt.
Clearview has some written advice that we believe you’ll find very helpful for how to clean a conservatory roof.
Why Conservatory Roof Cleaning Is Important
Glass roofs tend to collect a lot of dirt, algae and debris. If you do nothing about it, the worse it will get and the more your light transmission will be diminished, as will the aesthetics of the conservatory.
The worst case scenario is the eventual occurrence of structural damage and excessive growth of mould, which will pose a massive headache.
All this can be avoided just with well timed and super-efficient cleaning.
The Upsides of a Clean Roof
Conservatory roof cleaning isn’t the most exciting of chores, we can’t deny that, but it significantly decreases the likelihood of issues being suffered and can prolong a roof’s life.
Maintaining a shine on those glazed sections will keep abundant light travelling inside, creating a wonderfully energetic living atmosphere that you love being in.
An attractive roof will also help your conservatory exude the utmost elegance.
Potential Risks of Poor Roof Maintenance
Other dangers can arise if you fail to carry out the job of cleaning a conservatory roof and we’ll alert you to them.
Excessive moss and algae causes moisture to get trapped, which can see seals become much weakened and structural damage and leaks come to the fore. Any blockage of drainage systems accelerates the chances of water pooling manifesting on the roof covering.
Omitting to pay attention to the roof for a lengthy time might lead to sagging or cracking because of the weight of the debris. Abide by our cleaning suggestions to minimise these threats.
Knowing When To Clean Your Roof
A noticeable drop in light transmission indicates that you need to rinse the roof for the removal of stains, dirt, moss growth and streaks.
If water pooling transpires at any point, it usually means your gutters are blocked and require cleaning out.
Whenever we shift seasons or any time there’s some particularly bad weather, you’re advised to give your roof a close inspection as you may identify areas of concern that need remedying.
The Best Time for Cleaning
It wouldn’t be the brightest of ideas to be cleaning a conservatory in the freezing cold or during a summer heatwave.
Look to do it in the seasons of spring and autumn when temperatures are generally quite moderate.
Add it to your list of things to clean at the dawn of spring and you’re most likely to get fallen leaves on the roof in autumn. Give it the best possible chance of managing to put up with the extremes of summer and winter.
Pre-Cleaning Preparation
If you feel you can undertake conservatory roof cleaning on your own and don’t need to employ someone specialised to do it, follow all the safety precautions.
You want to wait for a clear day, and so that you can walk up your robust ladder in safe fashion, pop on a pair of non-slip shoes. You’re going to need some non-abrasive cleaning tools and suitable cleaning solutions.
We urge use of a safety harness if the roof is especially high or steep.
Safety Provisions
No risks should ever be taken when cleaning a conservatory roof!
So that you’re not having to overreach at all, ensure the ladder you have is tall enough. Employ use of a crawl board or roof ladder so that you don’t have to step onto the roof panels as that could damage them.
Wear some goggles and gloves when working with the non-abrasive cleaning tools – the tools shouldn’t cause any scratching or impairment to the glazing.
Safeguarding The Conservatory Interior
One of the biggest rules in how to clean a conservatory roof is to shut all the windows and doors beforehand so that water or cleaning agents (and their odour) don’t get inside.
It’s worth putting some covers on furniture, plants and flooring as well.
Keep the water pressure low as you don’t want to damage the panels and seals and be left with any leaks.
What Not to Do
Stick to the cleaning procedures laid out in this guide and you shouldn’t experience any costly problems. Be safe and avoid the traps that some conservatory owners fall into.
Under no circumstances should you employ use of harsh chemicals as they can cause serious damage. Pressure washers can be too powerful and might crack the glass.
Also, never be tempted to climb directly on the roof. It needs access with the correct equipment so that you neither get injured or harm the covering.
The Cleaning Process Step-by-Step
- Give the roof a close inspection to pick out where you need to either clean or repair. Remove dirt and leaves with a soft-bristled broom or leaf blower.
- Soak a sponge or soft brush in water combined with a solution of mild detergent and scrub the panels smoothly and gently to undo any mould, grime or algae. Once done, rinse with clean water.
- Fill a spray bottle with a matching amount of water and white vinegar for applying onto any stubborn algae or stains. Leave to soak for roughly 15 minutes before you then scrub with a sponge or soft brush.
Continual Maintenance Suggestions
Half-yearly conservatory roof cleaning will be enough to sustain its look and ensure it performs to a high standard over a long period of time.
You’ll have it done more quickly if you install things like gutter guards to stop dirt and debris from finding its way into your gutters and clogging them up.
Protect against potential algae growth by placing anti-algae strips across the roofline.
Conclusion
Hopefully, we’ve managed to clearly outline how to clean a conservatory roof, tell you at what points to do it, and communicate why it’s such an important task.
Not got the time to be doing it? Explore the easy maintenance roofing systems in Clearview’s unbeatable home improvement range and ask about self-cleaning glass.
What solutions are there to clean a conservatory roof?
When dirt, algae or debris forms on a conservatory roof, a soft brush and a mix of warm water and mild detergent should be enough to take it away.
For stains that refuse to go, turn to a blend of vinegar and water or a non-abrasive cleaner.
Can you jet wash a conservatory roof?
If you can, please avoid using a jet wash as the high pressure applied could result in damage to the seals, joints and the roofing material, heightening the chance of leaks and structural damage happening.
When pressure washer use cannot be avoided, keep the pressure level low. The better option is to clean with a soft brush as that’s far less likely to impair the roof.
Is washing up liquid suitable to clean a conservatory roof?
You could use it as an alternative to the cleaning solutions mentioned by us and rest assured that it won’t damage the roof.
After mixing with warm water, apply using a sponge or soft sponge and it’ll need rinsing off with clean water.
What can I do to treat green algae on a conservatory roof?
Try one of two tactics: either combining water and mild detergent or water and a specialist algae cleaner.
Apply whichever of the two to the relevant area and scrub the algae gently. If algae reoccurs with regularity, add diluted bleach or white vinegar to help, rinsing it down afterwards. Keeping on top of roof cleaning will minimise the regrowth of algae.
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