What is exterior cleaning? An introduction

When buildings start to look tired and worn, you may start thinking about costly material replacements. However, a much more affordable and practical route is to consider exterior cleaning services first. What may look like cladding and concrete past their life expectancy might actually just be surfaces in need of a thorough professional scrub.

In this article, we'll take you through commercial exterior cleaning in detail, looking at what's included, how it can prevent building damage, and other questions often asked by our clients.

What is commercial exterior cleaning?

A commercial exterior clean is the process of removing dirt, stains, moss, and other grime from the outside of a commercial, industrial, public, or government building.  Exterior cleaning acts as an umbrella term for several specialised services, including window cleaning, gutter cleaning, jet washing, and more. The purpose is to leave the outside of the building and the ground included within the property limits thoroughly cleaned.

Each of these services can be hired as standalone jobs to tackle specific areas in need, or grouped in combinations for a full outdoor cleaning approach, resulting in building transformations with serious impact.

What does exterior cleaning include?

As mentioned, there are many specialised services included in an exterior clean, such as the following:

• Window cleaning - Washing the exterior panes and frames of windows until they gleam, streak-free.
• Gutter cleaning - Cleaning the gutters and external pipes and removing any debris that is causing, or could later cause, blockages.
• Moss removal - Removing moss, lichen, and bird droppings from roof tiles and other surfaces using high-powered pressure washing tools and a preventative treatment.
• Jet or pressure washing - Blasting dirt and debris from a range of exterior surfaces using powerful pressure washing tools until they're as clean as possible without damaging the surface.
• Cladding cleaning - Cleaning concrete, wood, and metal cladding with specialist washing tools until they're thoroughly cleaned of dirt.
• Graffiti removal - Removing unsightly graffiti or spilt paint from walls and pavements with high-powered pressure washing tools until the stains are gone.
• Solar panel cleaning - Carefully cleaning solar panel surfaces and framework until they're clear of dirt to ensure they can work to full capacity.

How can exterior cleaning improve my building's kerb appeal?

We all know the feeling of approaching a dirty, badly-kept building we're supposed to enter, and it's a negative one. You might feel a sense of unease or apprehension, maybe even some concern about health and safety, or just a general dissatisfaction, especially if the building is a business.

What does a grimy business property portray? More likely than not, it's that the business cannot, or will not, take care of its premises, and if it cannot take care of the building, what else can't it take care of?

If a customer or client is thinking about buying a product or hiring a service from you, their trust in you from the start will likely be affected by the poor condition of the workplace. If it's a restaurant or pub, customers may change their minds before even entering, because very few people will willingly eat or drink somewhere that can't seem to keep things clean.

By ensuring the exterior of your building is clean and tidy, you present yourself to potential customers and clients as a business that takes pride in its property and cares for its employees and visitors. This increases your kerb appeal to passersby, too, which can paint you in a positive light if, somewhere down the line, they're considering the products or services you offer.

Improving your kerb appeal can do wonders for reviews too, especially if you're a business that relies on recommendations. Eateries and retail stores need to give the best impression possible to win new and returning customers, and keeping the outside of your property clean plays a crucial part.

Can exterior cleaning help prevent damage to my building?

Exterior cleaning services can help prevent building damage in more ways than you may realise. The build-up of moss, lichen, and debris on rooftops and in gutters can result in weakened materials and blocked pipes, which typically end up flooding. This means something as seemingly innocuous as a bit of moss on your roof or leaves in your gutter can lead to significant water damage in your building's foundations or framework. This makes moss removal and gutter clearing services essential.

Another cause of damage, especially on metal surfaces such as cladding sheets and metal fixtures, is chemical corrosion. Bird droppings, rust, and air and weather pollution can have acidic or corrosive effects on your building's surfaces. Without ensuring these deposits are seen to, they will eventually cause damage that cannot be cleaned away.

We're sure you agree this kind of damage simply isn't worth it when the alternative is a cleaning service used as a preventative measure; cleaning is far more cost-effective than paying for repairs and replacements.

The risks of DIY exterior cleaning

Hiring a standard pressure washer for your patio at home is very different to tackling your commercial building's exterior cleaning work yourself. Professional teams like Vivo Clean use industry-standard equipment and utilise their years of experience and know-how, ensuring each task is done safely and successfully.

Cleaning your own office building or warehouse could involve reaching heights that are incredibly dangerous without the right lifting equipment and safety harnesses that professional teams use. The cleaning equipment would likely not be up to scratch either, and may damage your building or leave you cleaning for hours on end.

Risks of attempting these services yourself with no experience and substandard equipment include falling, hurting yourself and/or others, damaging your building, and losing a significant amount of time and money for little to no results. It is definitely better to leave the difficult cleaning jobs to the professionals.

How often should I schedule exterior cleaning for my building?

How often your building's exterior needs cleaning will depend on several factors, including where the building is located and what it's used for. If your property manufactures products, for example, and you frequently have steam or smoke coming from the building, then it may need more exterior cleaning than something like a retail store. If you are situated very close to the sea and get a lot of salty air that can lead to rust, then again, you may need more frequent cleaning. Speaking to a professional team can help you work out how often your building's exterior may need cleaning attention.

If we base estimates on an average property in an average environment, then we would suggest the following:

Window cleaning services: Exterior windows should be cleaned every 3 months, or more frequently for those with products on view behind windows.

Rooftop cleaning services: Rooftops can be left for two to three years between cleans and moss removal, and maybe longer if the roof has a strong liquid coating designed to withstand debris and weather damage.

Power washing services: Car parks and pavements can be jet washed annually to keep them looking clean.

Wall and cladding cleaning services: We'd suggest the exterior walls themselves only need cleaning every two to four years, unless stains from weather or algae appear sooner, while cladding should be cleaned at least once a year to prevent build-up that could lead to damage.

How can I prepare my building for exterior cleaning?

You don't need to do much to prepare, but keeping the area clear for the cleaning team and any equipment they bring is always helpful. If the building has multiple storeys or no roof access, then chances are the cleaners will bring lifting plant, such as a scissor lift, to enable them to reach those high places. Moving vehicles, large bins, and anything else blocking easy access helps the job get done faster.

If we are conducting pressure washing, then we will need access to an outside tap if possible. For cladding, window, and solar panel washing, we will bring our own tanks, which are attached to our poles.

How much do exterior cleaning services typically cost

Exterior cleaning service costs will depend on the services chosen, how long they'll take, and how many cleaners will be required on-site - this will be worked out beforehand. For larger exterior cleaning jobs, someone from the Vivo team will visit your property for a walk-around, which can help us better judge what needs to be done and how much it might cost. You'll receive a quote before any cleaning work starts. If you're curious and would like a general idea of costs, get in touch, and we can talk it through.

Your Suffolk exterior cleaning specialists

From professional pressure cleaning to roof moss removal, our full package exterior cleans ensure your building looks fantastic, improving kerb appeal, business reputation, staff morale, and the building's condition. We also offer independent exterior services if you only require one or two jobs to be performed, such as window cleaning and gutter clearing, to see you through the season.

If you're ready to talk to a professional team about exterior cleaning services, don't hesitate to get in touch.

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