Skylight cleaning is an often overlooked or even avoided service due accessibility challenges.
They’re not front and center of your view or mind. Usually out of sight and out of mind. They play an important of freshening the mood in your home and letting in natural light. Skylights are the unsung heroes of energy savings. With an average of 350 sunny days here in Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Indian Wells, skylights reduce the need for artificial lighting. Skylight cleaning is essential to the clarity and maintenance of these roof mounted windows. How does the everyday homeowner go about skylight cleaning?
Well that depends on several factors. What kind of skylights are you cleaning? How high is your ceiling? What kind of pitch do you have on your roof? What tools do you have at your disposal?
There are several types of skylights, but the two most common types are polycarbonate skylights and laminate glass skylights. Both allow light into your home, but are different in their construction, material and cleaning instructions.
Laminated Safety Glass Skylights
Laminate glass skylights are similar to a standard window in that, they are panes of glass installed into a fabricated aluminum or vinyl frame.
These skylights are best treated like a window when it comes to cleaning. There are a few ways to approach getting these units sparkling.
Indoor Window Cleaning Kits
Indoor window cleaning pads and holders such as The Unger Indoor System can help you clean skylights safely from the ground
Kits such as these can be extremely helpful. If you don’t have a ladder, or your skylights are in an inaccessible area such as over a stairwell or kitchen island, an indoor window cleaning kit might be the answer. You simply attach the microfiber pad to the velcro pad holder, which is connected to an extension pole, spray your favorite window cleaner such as Sprayway, and wipe the skylight clean. I have the above pictured setup for touching up high windows on my storefront window cleaning jobs in Palm Desert and Palm Springs.
Polycarbonate Skylights
Polycarbonate skylights such as these scratch extremely easy, and require a gentle touch and non-aggressive cleaning methods
Polycarbonate is similar to acrylic or plexiglas. It is strong from a structural perspective but delicate as well. The surface can withstand an abrupt impact from a golf ball but, wipe it with the rough side of a sponge and you will be left with a scratched skylight. I prefer to clean polycarbonate skylights with soapy water, a natural sea sponge, and a small squeegee. Begin with a bucket of soapy water, dip in your sponge and gently wash the surface of the skylight. While the surface is still wet, use a small squeegee to remove excess water, touch up any missed spots with a clean microfiber towel.
Brandon Scott is the COO of ShinePro Window Cleaning. With over ten years of experience in Exterior Cleaning and a Glazing Contractor since 2000, passing on knowledge gained is a passion.
Hopefully you’ve gained an idea on how to approach skylight cleaning. If this task seems to be over your head (pun intended) feel free to leave a comment or question below. If you reside near Redlands, Yucaipa, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, or La Quinta, call for your free estimate. ShinePro Window Cleaning offers window cleaning, solar panel cleaning, hard water stain removal and gutter cleaning.
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