Exterior cladding is a fantastic way to enhance a building's facade, offering a combination of durability and aesthetics. While it's more frequently used for industrial and commercial properties in Acomb, many residential dwellings also take advantage of this option these days. Not only does cladding vastly improve the appearance of the building, but it also adds extra insulation, protecting the walls and interior from the elements.
However, cladding surfaces become grubby over time, and begin to lose their appeal. Dirty cladding looks unappealing, with stains and organic growth eventually causing damage to the materials and fixtures.
The best way to prolong the life of your cladding is to regularly clean the surface and check for any damage. And if you want it to look its best and last for years to come, you need a team of professional cladding cleaning specialists which is why Right Wash in Acomb is the perfect choice!
As a leading provider of professional cladding cleaning services in Acomb, we understand the importance of maintaining your building's exterior. Our expert team is dedicated to restoring and protecting your cladding for a fresh, attractive look.
The Right Wash cladding cleaning procedure follows strict guidelines to ensure complete safety and to guarantee the best results.
Here's how we work...
This crucial first step ensures we tailor the cleaning method to your specific building and cladding system. The inspection covers these areas:
We precisely identify the type of cladding material used on your building. This is vital because different materials require different cleaning methods. For instance, cleaning techniques for delicate natural stone cladding will differ significantly from those used for robust metal panels that can use more simpler pressure washing services.
Our specialist team examines the extent of dirt, grime, algae, mould, and any other contaminants present on the cladding surface. This helps us determine the cleaning solution's strength and the appropriate pressure settings for water-based methods. All of our cleaning products are safe for the environment.
We check for any potential obstacles that might affect the cleaning process. These could include uneven surfaces, inaccessible areas, existing damage to the cladding, or the presence of delicate architectural features. By pinpointing these challenges upfront, we can develop a safe and effective cleaning strategy to address them.
Health and safety are paramount, and a full risk assessment will be undertaken to ensure a safe environment for all.
Following the inspection, we are able to determine which cleaning methods are the most suitable option for your particular type of cladding.
This will take into account the state of the exterior cladding as well as the type. We will pay extra attention to areas with an excessive build-up of dirty deposits or stubborn dirt.
If necessary, scaffolding will be erected to provide a safe working platform. We may also use MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) or Cherry Pickers, although these aren't required when using the water-fed pole method (see below). We also have cherry pickers for hire.
Any working areas will be cordoned off, and all windows, doors and any surrounding greenery will be covered to protect them. This is a precaution only, as our staff are highly proficient and most of the methods we employ do not make a mess.
The cleaning work can begin once everything is set up. Some of the machinery (such as DOFF and TORC) require specialist preparation on site, which can take a while.
The appropriate cleaning system will be used to restore your cladding to like-new condition, improving your company image or making your home sparkle once again.
The Acomb team will perform a final check of the site to ensure that the cleaning work meets our exacting standards and that it is free of equipment and debris.
Once they have established that all is in order, the job will be signed off, and only then will our team vacate the site.
Our dedicated team of professional cladding cleaners in Acomb are trained in a range of methods, including the following:
A popular choice for many cladding types, softwashing utilises a low-pressure solution of specialised detergents* and water. The detergents break down and remove dirt, grime, algae, mould, and mildew growth without damaging the cladding.
*All of our detergents are 100% safe and organic
Specialist cleaning chemicals might be used for particularly stubborn stains or ingrained dirt. These chemicals are chosen specifically for the type of cladding material and the contaminant being addressed.
This method uses purified water delivered through telescopic poles to reach high and hard-to-access areas. Highly purified water helps loosen dirt and grime without requiring detergents or chemicals, making it an environmentally friendly option for cleaning cladding on tall buildings.
For certain types of cladding, steam cleaning can be an effective method. Hot steam can loosen dirt and grime, kill bacteria and mould, and even remove chewing gum or paint splashes. However, steam cleaning requires careful control of temperature and pressure to avoid damaging the cladding material.
This method involves using gentle abrasive materials or brushes to remove stubborn dirt or surface imperfections. Due to the risk of scratching the cladding, abrasive cleaning is only used on specific materials and with extreme caution. It's typically a last resort after other methods have been explored.
If algae or moss growth is a significant issue, biocide treatments might be applied. These specialised solutions target and kill these organisms, preventing them from returning for an extended period.
As always, our chemical treatments are safe and environmentally friendly, so there's no danger to humans or wildlife.
This technique uses a pressurised air stream mixed with a fine abrasive material and heated water to remove paint, coatings, and stubborn contaminants from cladding.
DOFF cleaning uses superheated steam, reaching temperatures in the region of 150°C, but delivered with controlled pressure. This ensures thorough cleaning without damaging delicate stone surfaces.
Unlike some traditional cleaning methods, DOFF cleaning minimises the requirement for harsh chemicals. This approach is not only environmentally responsible but also contributes to the longevity of the stone itself.
Due to the high temperature of the steam employed, DOFF cleaning promotes rapid drying of the surfaces. This rapid drying process minimises the risk of moisture build-up within the stone, which can be detrimental.
Additionally, the elevated temperatures associated with the steam offer the potential for disinfection of the surfaces being cleaned, providing an added layer of benefit.
TORC cleaning uses a specialised nozzle design that creates a swirling vortex. This vortex combines low volumes of water, fine inert granulate (tiny particles), and compressed air to achieve a gentle yet highly effective cleaning action.
As with DOFF, TORC relies on a mechanical cleaning action, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals. This is beneficial for the environment and the surface being cleaned, particularly delicate materials like stone.
TORC cleaning is a versatile technique suitable for cleaning a variety of surfaces, including brickwork, stonework, concrete, tiles, glass, and even metals like copper, brass, and aluminium.
The swirling vortex and abrasive media effectively remove stubborn dirt, grime, graffiti, paint residues (including some oil-based paints), limescale, and even carbon deposits.
Because TORC cleaning uses minimal water and relies on the gentle abrasive action of the granulate, it's a safe and effective method for restoring surfaces without causing damage.
Both DOFF and TORC are highly specialised techniques that require significant training and expertise to achieve the best results and ensure they don't damage the underlying cladding material.
On the whole, pressure washing is not suitable for many types of cladding surfaces as the high-pressure jet can easily damage them.
We never rule out pressure washing or jet washing completely, as we prefer to offer a comprehensive range of options, although we would ensure that the pressure was set to an appropriate level that would be safe for the type of cladding involved.
Your external walls are exposed to the weather, airborne pollutants, dirt, algae, moss, bird droppings, and other deposits. Over time, these make the exterior surfaces look grubby, which doesn't create the right impression for potential customers, partners or investors.
Cladding panels are also in danger of long-term damage from these contaminants, as they can begin to break down the surface and corrode the fittings. This will result in expensive repairs or even replacement cladding.
Regular cladding cleaning will reduce the risk of damage and ensure a favourable impression of your business.
For homeowners in Acomb, our cladding cleaning services keep your property in pristine condition, boosting kerb appeal and making you proud of your home.
While regular cleaning goes a long way to preserving your cladding, one of the best ways to protect cladding is to combine this with a UV-resistant coating.
This helps to prevent weather damage and deflect the harmful rays from the sun, prolonging the life expectancy of your cladding for many years.
Countless business owners neglect to have their cladding cleaned, only to regret this later when the only solution is costly repairs, replacement or respray of the entire building.
Roof and gutter cleaning on a regular basis will also prevent dirty water and other muck from accumulating on the cladding surfaces.
Our professional Acomb cladding cleaning service caters for all types of cladding, including:
Brick Cladding - A timeless and popular option, brick cladding offers excellent durability, weather resistance, and a classic aesthetic.
Stone Cladding - Natural stone like granite or slate provides a luxurious and long-lasting exterior and is renowned for its exceptional durability. Granite and slate, in particular, are incredibly robust and weather-resistant, able to withstand the harshest elements for generations. They retain their inherent beauty for decades, requiring minimal maintenance to keep them looking their best.
Metal Cladding - Available in materials like aluminium, zinc, or copper, metal cladding offers a sleek, contemporary look, good durability, and low maintenance.
uPVC Cladding - A cost-effective choice, uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) cladding is lightweight, easy to maintain, and comes in a variety of colours. It is widely used on most modern buildings because of these excellent properties.
Timber Cladding - Wood cladding offers a natural aesthetic and good insulation properties but requires regular maintenance to prevent rot and weathering.
Composite Cladding - Combining materials like wood and plastic, composite cladding offers a balance of aesthetics, durability, and lower maintenance needs compared to pure timber.
Glass Cladding - Used for a modern, light-filled look (particularly on commercial buildings), glass cladding requires specialist cleaning and considerations for thermal performance and potential breakage.
Not all exterior cleaning companies are equipped to deal with all of these types of cladding, but at Right Wash, we ensure that our team has the equipment, methods and training to handle them all expertly.
Whether it's found on commercial buildings, industrial structures or a family home, good quality cladding is a sound investment. First impressions, as we know, matter greatly, especially when it comes to business premises. In terms of a residential setting, it adds appeal and improves the overall tone of the area.
When people approach your building, the first thing they notice is its appearance and will form a perception of you or your brand, often subconsciously. That's why it's so important to invest in regular cladding cleaning and maintenance.
This will also save money by reducing the risk of long-term damage from organic growth, pollution, weather, and UV rays.
When you want to present the right impression, there's only one choice - Right Wash!
Call us today for a free quote and for professional cladding cleaning services at a competitive price.
Cladding cleaning involves removing dirt, grime, and pollutants from the exterior surfaces of buildings, which is necessary to prevent damage and maintain aesthetic appeal.
The frequency of cladding cleaning depends on the building's location and exposure to pollutants, but generally, it should be cleaned at least once every two years.
Various methods are used for cladding cleaning, including pressure washing, chemical cleaning, and soft washing, tailored to suit the type of cladding material.
Cladding cleaning is safe for most materials when appropriate techniques and products are used specific to the material type to avoid damage.
Yes, regular cladding cleaning can significantly improve the longevity of a building's exterior by preventing the buildup of harmful substances that can cause structural damage.
The cost of professional cladding cleaning varies depending on the size of the building and the complexity of the job, but it generally provides a cost-effective way to maintain your property's appearance and integrity.
