Cladding Cleaning Services

We work across a wide range of property types. Commercial property owners, facilities managers, industrial sites, housing developers and private homeowners all use our cladding cleaning services.

Commercial and Industrial Buildings

Office buildings, warehouses, factories, retail units and industrial buildings all take on significant grime over time. Heavy atmospheric pollution, traffic film and biological growth build up on external cladding surfaces in ways that make a building look far older than it is. The UK's 2024 air pollution assessment tracked pollutants settling on facades and exterior panels across the country, and in busy industrial and urban areas, this build-up can be rapid.

Clean cladding on a commercial property creates a better first impression for customers, tenants, staff and visitors. That matters more than most people realise, especially on customer-facing sites.

Residential Properties and Housing Developments

Residential cladding cleaning helps improve kerb appeal and keeps the outside of a property looking well-maintained. For homeowners, landlords or housing developers across the North East and North Yorkshire, a clean exterior can make a real difference to how a property is perceived, whether that is for letting, selling or simply maintaining pride in the building.

A clean exterior supports property value and helps avoid the kind of surface deterioration that comes from letting organic growth and staining sit for too long.

Different cladding materials need different approaches, and getting that wrong can cause streaking, surface damage or water ingress. Our team at Northern Powerwash are highly trained to identify the right method for every material before any cleaning work begins.

Metal Cladding

Metal cladding is common on commercial and industrial buildings. It picks up atmospheric grime, oxidation and surface staining that can make panels look dull and patchy. We clean metal cladding carefully, particularly where panels are powder coated, weathered or showing early signs of corrosion. Powder coated cladding needs controlled pressure and the correct cleaning products to avoid damage to the finish, and that is exactly what we use.

UPVC Cladding

UPVC cladding can often be restored to a much cleaner, brighter appearance with the right method. It is prone to green algae growth and general atmospheric discolouration. We regularly get UPVC cladding cleaned back to a near-original finish using soft washing and appropriate cleaning solutions, without damaging the material or its fixings.

Wood Cladding and Composite Panels

Wooden cladding and composite cladding both benefit from routine cleaning to remove dirt, algae and the effects of weathering. Timber in particular can deteriorate faster when organic growth is left to sit, as trapped moisture contributes to surface wear over time. Composite cladding is lower maintenance by nature, but it still needs regular attention to stay looking clean.

Glass Cladding and Curtain Walling

Glass cladding needs careful handling to avoid streaks, spotting or damage to seals and surrounding frames. We use pure water reach-and-wash systems and controlled methods that leave glass surfaces clean without introducing any risk of scratching or residue.

Brick Cladding and Concrete

Brick cladding and concrete require a different approach again. These surfaces can hold stubborn stains and biological growth more deeply than smooth panels. We use appropriate cleaning methods based on the condition and porosity of the material, including the DOFF cleaning system for more heavily contaminated or delicate masonry surfaces.

There is no single cleaning method that suits all cladding types. Using the wrong pressure, the wrong chemical or the wrong process on exterior cladding surfaces can do more harm than the dirt itself. We assess each job individually and select the best approach for the material, the level of contamination and the access requirements.

Soft Washing for Delicate Surfaces

Soft washing is a low pressure cleaning method that uses a carefully selected cleaning solution to break down and remove algae, moss, mould, atmospheric staining and organic growth from more delicate cladding surfaces. It is particularly effective on UPVC cladding, wooden cladding, composite panels and coated metal cladding where high pressure could cause damage or force water behind panels.

Professional soft washing does not just rinse the surface. It treats the underlying biological growth and organic matter, meaning results last longer than a straight pressure wash. For many exterior cladding types, it is the safest and most efficient cleaning method available.

Pressure Washing for Robust Surfaces

Pressure washing is well suited to durable exterior surfaces where there are heavy layers of grime, surface staining or compacted dirt. High pressure washing, when used at the correct pressure for the material, quickly removes surface debris and atmospheric build-up from surfaces like concrete, brick cladding and robust metal panels. We manage the pressure level closely so that the cleaning process is effective without risking damage to coatings or fixings.

Jet washing is used selectively at Northern Powerwash. High level cladding and more sensitive materials always require a different approach.

Low Pressure Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning using a low pressure DOFF cleaning system is particularly useful for surfaces with deep biological contamination, stubborn staining or areas where chemical use needs to be kept to a minimum. The heat from the steam breaks down organic growth and atmospheric pollutants without aggressive pressure. It is suitable for a range of exterior surfaces including older brick cladding, stone and some types of industrial coating.

Chemical Cleaning for Stubborn Staining

Chemical cleaning is used where water-based methods alone are not achieving the right result. This includes heavy grease deposits, deep atmospheric staining and contamination on smaller detailed areas of a building's exterior. We use pH-neutral or material-appropriate cleaning solutions to reduce any risk of surface damage during the cleaning process.

Pure Water and Water Fed Poles

For high level cladding and glass surfaces, we use water fed poles and pure water systems that reach external cladding surfaces without the need for direct access equipment on every section. This approach is particularly useful for commercial buildings where minimal disruption to occupants and visitors is a priority.