One of the benefits of installing a canopy to create extra space whether for a dining room, an extra classroom, walkway between buildings or a bike shelter is they can make a building look more attractive.
However, there is nothing more off putting to customers and visitors than seeing a shabby and neglected canopy covered in dirt, leaves, mould and bird mess.
All this detritus can pose potential health hazards and seriously impact a canopy’s longevity which is why regular maintenance and cleaning is vital.
Best of all, you can keep costs down and avoid employing the services of a specialist company by cleaning and maintaining the canopy yourself.
Do I need to buy special cleaning products?
Not at all. You can use a good old-fashioned mixture of water and an eco-friendly mild detergent. If you add a little vinegar, its acidity will stop any soapy residue being left on the surface and leave a nice shine.
However, don’t use brushes with harsh bristles to scrub off any dirt or else you may scratch the surface of the canopy, so make sure you opt for one with soft bristles.
Depending on the height of your canopy, you may need to buy a long telescopic cleaning pole to help you reach all the areas.
Set up safely
Always make sure you follow height safety measures before you start to clean the canopy.
While our Spaceshade canopies are very robust, it’s probably best to use crawler boards in areas where the telescopic pole may not be able to reach.
Also, if the roof has a lot of bird mess, mould or mildew on it, make sure you wear a face mask to protect you from any droplets or spores.
Lastly, ensure you notify visitors and staff that the canopy is being cleaned and place warning ‘slip hazard’ signs in areas affected by excess water during cleaning.
Clear off any leaves or twig
Even if there aren’t any nearby trees, leaves and twigs often get blown around and can collect on canopies.
If there are large amounts of leaves, you can always use a leaf blower to clear the canopy ready for cleaning.
Cleaning canopies
Make sure you rinse the canopy with water first to ensure you lift any surface dirt, mould, leaves and loosen any bird mess.
This is especially important if birds like to sit on the canopy because they their mess can be very corrosive to all types of material and needs to be cleaned regularly.
Likewise, bird faeces is also linked to a several bacterial infections carried in droplets of water or dust and inhaled by humans.
In the same way, it’s crucial to get rid of mould and mildew because their spores can trigger allergic reactions and breathing problems like sneezing, coughing and breathlessness.
Once you’re satisfied that as much surface dirt has been lifted as possible, you can start using eco-friendly detergent mixed with water to give the canopy a good clean using a soft brush.
What about gutters and downpipes?
Our canopies are cleverly designed so gutters and downpipes are concealed within the frame and connect directly to underground drainage channels to avoid any slip hazard caused by excess surface water.
Like the main canopy, gutters and downpipes are easy to look after and will last for many years as long as you regularly clean and maintain them.
No time to clean?
If you don’t have the time or resources to clean, Kensington Systems can offer professional cleaning services. Please contact us if you would like to find out more.
