Clean a conservatory roof safely

Clean a conservatory roof safely from a ladder, working out the roof material first and never stepping on the panels.

CR-01Check the weather and plan your accessPick a calm, dry day. Wind makes ladder work dangerous, and bright sun dries cleaning solution too fast and leaves streaks. Check you can reach every part of the roof from a ladder or platform placed on the ground beside it — conservatory roofs are not built to take your weight and panels can crack if you stand on them.

CR-02Gather your kitGet everything ready before you go up: a soft brush or telescopic cleaning pole, sponge, mild detergent, bucket, hose, squeegee, gutter scoop and a dust sheet. Add gloves and safety glasses — grit and old bird mess can flick back at you.

1 each · Soft-bristle roof brush or telescopic cleaning pole

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2 each · Non-abrasive sponge

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1 each · Mild detergent (washing-up liquid)

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1 each · Bucket, 10L

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1 each · Garden hose with spray nozzle

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1 each · Squeegee

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1 each · Gutter scoop

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1 pair · Rubber gloves

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1 each · Safety glasses

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CR-03Protect what's underneathLay a dust sheet or tarpaulin over any plants, furniture or paving directly below the roof edge. Dirty water and old debris will run straight off the panels as you work.

1 each · Dust sheet or tarpaulin

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CR-04Set up your ladder safelyUse your ladder skills: firm level ground, correct 1-in-4 angle, and someone footing the ladder if you can. Fit a ladder stabiliser bar so the ladder rests against the solid wall rather than the conservatory frame or gutter, which won't take the sideways load.

1 each · Ladder stabiliser bar

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CR-05Clear the gutters firstScoop out leaves, moss and grit from the gutters before you wash the roof. If you skip this, dirty water carries grit across the panels as you clean and can scratch them.

CR-06Work out what your roof is made of — the method changesPolycarbonate (lightweight, ribbed, multiwall) scratches easily: use only a soft brush and mild detergent, never anything abrasive. Toughened glass copes with a sponge and light scrubbing but still marks with grit, so keep it clean and gentle. Self-cleaning glass has a coating that breaks down dirt in sunlight — just rinse with plain water; scrubbing or detergent wears the coating away.

CR-07Wash the roof section by section, from ridge to gutterMix a little detergent in warm water. Work in small sections top to bottom with the brush or sponge, so it doesn't dry out before you rinse. Keep pressure light — you're lifting dirt, not scrubbing hard.

CR-08Rinse and finishRinse each section with the hose on a gentle spray before the suds dry. On glass, run a squeegee across for a streak-free finish. If you use a pressure washer instead of a hose, only plug it into an RCD-protected outdoor socket, keep it on low pressure and well back from the roof — close-range pressure washing can crack polycarbonate and force water under glazing seals.

CR-09Inspect, then pack awayWhile you're up there, check for cracked panels, loose glazing bars and gaps in seals. If you find damage, get it looked at before the next heavy rain — a small leak can rot the frame underneath. Fold the dust sheet in to collect debris, rinse your tools and dry the ladder before you store it.

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