A conservatory is a great place to relax and having one can add a significant amount of value to your home.
It’s important to keep your conservatory roof clean, but it can be problematic due to the height of a conservatory and the fragile nature of glass.
In this guide, we will show you how to clean a conservatory roof including the inside, exterior, glass and frames.
It’s not a hard job, but it requires careful planning and the correct tools to get it done safely and effectively.
Contents
Safety First
The most important thing when cleaning your conservatory roof is to think about your safety.
Conservatory roofs are often made from glass, and you should never stand on a glass roof. Glass is fragile, and any weight on it will cause it to crack or shatter.
If you are using a ladder it is essential that it rests on a solid wall such as concrete. Never rest a ladder on the glass surface as the weight will cause the ladder to go through it.
If you do climb a ladder, remember to wear a helmet and gloves and follow all ladder safety tips.
The safest way to clean your conservatory room is by staying on the ground and using a telescopic window cleaner.
Tools Needed To Clean A Conservatory Roof
Gather all of the tools that you need before you start cleaning. To clean a conservatory roof, you will need:
- Ladder (remember to follow all safety procedures)
- Bucket
- Automatic/manual telescopic cleaning pole
- Warm soapy water
- Brush and squeegee to attach to the telescopic pole
Which Telescopic Pole Do I Need?
A telescopic pole is essential for cleaning high places, and there are two main types you can buy.
A water-fed telescopic cleaning pole attaches to your garden hose and pumps a constant stream of water up to the soft bristle brush.
This is a great option as it allows you to safely scrub the dirt and debris from your roof, quickly and easily.
Water fed poles often have a squeegee attached so you can remove most of the water and let the glass dry naturally.
A manual telescopic pole does not pump water out, so you will have to dip it into a bucket of water to clean your roof.
This will still extend your reach and you can attach a brush and a squeegee to it, but it will take a bit more time to achieve a completely clean roof.
Prepare The Conservatory Roof
Before you start cleaning your conservatory roof, you should first remove any large pieces of debris on it.
Stones, moss and other large debris can be removed by brushing the roof with your telescopic pole.
Clean The Gutters
Blocked gutters can mean it is difficult for the water to drain away after cleaning, so it is a good idea to unblock and clean them.
You can buy gutter cleaning tools that can attach to your telescopic pole; alternatively, you can use a gutter cleaning vacuum system.
If you are cleaning the gutters on your conservatory, it is a good idea to do your whole house while you are there.
How To Clean A Conservatory Roof
To clean your conservatory roof, follow the steps below:
- If using a water-fed telescopic pole, attach the hose and raise the brush onto the roof. Turn on the water and start cleaning.
- For manual poles, prepare a bucket of warm soapy water. Dip the brush into the solution and start cleaning the roof.
- Once all areas have been cleaned, attach a squeegee to the pole and remove as much excess water as possible.
- Leave to dry naturally, or polish with a microfiber cloth.
Cleaning The uPVC Frames Of A Conservatory Roof
The uPVC frames of a conservatory can be cleaned in the same way as glass. Use the soft brush on your telescopic pole and gently scrub away the dirt, then leave to dry naturally.
Do not use any harsh chemicals on the frames as this could damage them, warm soapy water will be sufficient.
Conservatory Roof Cleaning Tips
If you have followed the above steps to clean your conservatory roof, it should now be clean and looking like new.
There are a few other things to remember which will ensure you achieve a great finish:
- Don’t attempt to clean the glass roof when the sun is at its hottest. The water will dry too quickly and will leave a streaky finish.
- Never use abrasive or chemical cleaners to clean the uPVC frames as this could damage them. Most of the time, warm soapy water will be sufficient to clean the glass roof and frames.
- Try to avoid using a ladder if possible. It is safer to stand on the ground, and the fragile nature of glass means that the likelihood of an accident is increased. If you do use a ladder, ensure that there is a solid surface to lean it against.
- Use soft-bristled brushes and microfibre cloths when cleaning the conservatory roof to avoid scratching the glass or frames.
- Take care if using a pressure washer on your conservatory. The strong jet of water can break the seals of the glass and cause leaks. It is better to use a garden hose to remove any soap and debris.
- A window vacuum cleaner can also be used to clean your conservatory room, as long as it has a telescopic pole. It will take more effort with a window vacuum and you will need to fill it up regularly, but it can be a good alternative and will leave a streak-free finish.
Once the conservatory roof has been cleaned, spray the locks, hinges and any other moving parts with a lubricant such as WD40.
This will help to keep your conservatory working at its best.
