Category: Expert Tips

At Window Hero UK, we often get calls from homeowners who are frustrated that their solar panels are covered in patches of green, grey, or white growth. Many are confused as to why this has “suddenly” happened, especially after being told their panels were “maintenance-free”. The truth is that these patches are not simple dirt or bird droppings—they are lichens, and they damage solar panels.

What is Lichen?

A lichen is an organism but it is not a single organism. As defined by the British Lichen Society, a lichen is “a stable symbiotic association between a fungus and algae and/or cyanobacteria”. In this partnership, the fungus provides the protective structure, while the algae (called photobionts) produce food through photosynthesis. The British Lichen Society notes that this symbiosis is thought to be a mutualism, as both partners benefit from the arrangement.¹

The Algae Gateway

The most common question we hear from homeowners is, “Why has this happened so suddenly?” The answer lies in the biology of the lichen itself.

Lichen doesn’t just appear from nowhere. It requires a foundation. That foundation is algae. Algae are nature’s most prolific organisms. On a microscopic level, the smooth surface of a solar panel is actually quite rough, perfect for trapping dust, moisture, and microscopic algae spores. In the early stages, this algal growth can be invisible to the naked eye, only becoming visible once a green film appears on the panel.

This film of algae creates the perfect nursery for the lichen. When fungal spores land on this established algal base, they begin forming the symbiotic relationship we recognise as lichen. Therefore, Algae comes first, lichen follows.

The Costly Reality: Why Lichen is a Problem

Once lichen establishes itself, it bonds very strongly to the glass, making it extremely difficult to remove even with specialist equipment. Unlike dust, it won’t wash away with rain. In many cases, even after a professional clean, you’re often left with a permanent ‘ghost’ mark etched into the panel.

The Efficiency Myth: Why Clean?

Many people believe the primary reason to clean solar panels is to boost their electricity output. However, the financial reality often tells a different story.

A study conducted by engineers at the University of California, San Diego, and published in the journal Solar Energy found that panels which had not been cleaned for 145 days during a summer drought in California, lost only 7.4% of their efficiency ². For a typical home system, the small gain in electricity production from a professional clean does not usually offset the cost of the cleaning service itself.

Therefore, you should not clean your solar panels primarily to chase a few extra kilowatt-hours of electricity. The modest financial gain rarely justifies the expense.

The Real Reason for Cleaning: Prevention

The real, compelling reason to clean your panels is preventative maintenance. You are not cleaning to boost output; you are cleaning to prevent the establishment of algae, which is the gateway to an expensive lichen infestation.

The moment you see any sign of green or dark film on the glass (the algae), you should act. At this stage, the solution is simple. A soft-bristled brush can easily and safely remove the algae before the lichen gets a chance to establish itself.

Conclusion: Don’t Wait

Your solar panels are designed to last for decades. Ignore the advice that panels are maintenance-free. Ignore the belief that a good rain shower will sort them out. Rain does not clean algae, and algae is the prerequisite for lichen.

If you spot algae, hire a professional to give them a gentle, safe clean. This small, occasional expense is the most effective insurance policy you can buy against the damaging problem of lichen.

Keeping your gutters clean is an important part of home maintenance. When gutters become clogged with leaves, moss and debris, water can no longer flow away from your home properly. Over time, this can lead to blockages, leaks and potentially expensive repairs.

By cleaning your gutters regularly, you help protect your home from damp, water damage and even mould. A well-maintained gutter system allows rainwater to drain away efficiently and keeps your property in good condition.

Below are some practical tips on how to clean your gutters safely and effectively, along with advice on what to do if your downpipes become blocked.

Why gutter cleaning matters

Climbing a ladder to clear out gutters might not be the most enjoyable job, but it’s far better than dealing with the consequences of neglected guttering.

When gutters are clear, rainwater can flow freely through the system and down the pipes. If debris builds up, water may overflow or back up under roof tiles, which can lead to damage over time.

Blocked gutters also become heavier as they collect moss, leaves and standing water. This added weight puts stress on the gutter brackets and joints, especially at weak points such as corners and connectors. Over time, this strain can shorten the life of your guttering system.

How often should gutters be cleaned?

As a general rule, gutters should be cleaned once or twice a year.
However, the exact frequency depends on the environment around your home. Properties surrounded by trees or those with moss on the roof will usually need more frequent cleaning because debris accumulates faster.

Some homes in open areas may be able to go longer between cleans, but it’s still wise to check gutters regularly to prevent problems from developing.

The best way to clean gutters

If you feel comfortable using a ladder and it is placed securely on stable ground, cleaning gutters yourself can be straightforward. Ideally, have someone nearby to hold the ladder and provide extra stability while you work.

It’s important not to lean too far to reach debris. Instead, move the ladder along as you progress.

Cleaning gutters by hand

Many professionals still prefer clearing gutters manually. Tools such as extension poles with gutter attachments can help you reach further along the gutter while maintaining balance.

If working from a ladder isn’t practical, gutter vacuum systems can be used from the ground. These machines are effective for removing loose debris, although they may struggle to clear material that becomes trapped in corners or within the bends of downpipes.

Another simple method is to wear gardening gloves and use a small trowel to scoop debris into a bucket. After removing the main build-up, running a hose through the gutter will help wash away any remaining dirt and confirm that water flows freely.

Can you use a pressure washer on gutters?

Many pressure washer manufacturers, including Karcher, advise against using a pressure washer while standing on a ladder due to safety concerns. The force of the water can also potentially damage guttering or roofing materials if used incorrectly.

A safer alternative is to use specialised gutter cleaning attachments designed for pressure washers. These attachments allow you to work from ground level while directing water into the gutter.
Even then, pressure washing can be messy. Gutters are often full of leaves and moss, and blasting them with high-pressure water can send debris everywhere, making the job harder rather than easier.

What if your downpipes are blocked?

When cleaning gutters, it’s always a good idea to check the downpipes at the same time.

If a blockage occurs further down the pipe or below ground level, it may require professional drainage equipment to resolve properly. However, smaller obstructions can sometimes be cleared using a drain cleaning hose attached to a pressure washer.

If the blockage is severe, the gutters are heavily clogged it is more effective to clean the gutters by hand rather than from the ground using pressure washer attachments.

During the winter months, especially when temperatures drop below zero, people wonder whether window cleaning is still safe. One of the most common concerns we hear from homeowners is about ice forming on the ground outside the house after the windows have been cleaned.

It’s a sensible question — and the honest answer is that it can be a safety risk if it’s not handled properly.

Window cleaning involves water, and when it’s freezing outside, any water that lands on a driveway, patio, path or pavement can quickly turn to ice. Even a thin, almost invisible layer of ice can be slippery enough to cause a fall. That’s obviously something nobody wants, whether it’s a homeowner, a visitor, or the window cleaner himself.

That said, window cleaning doesn’t automatically become unsafe just because it’s cold. The key difference is how the job is finished.

A professional window cleaner should always think about what happens after the cleaning is done. In freezing conditions, that means using ice-melting grit on any areas where water may have run off. Applying grit greatly reduces the chance of ice forming and makes surfaces safer to walk on.

If grit isn’t used, then yes — cleaning windows in sub-zero temperatures can leave behind a real slip hazard. This is why it’s so important to choose a window cleaner who takes winter safety seriously rather than just rushing through jobs.

As a homeowner, it’s reasonable to ask your window cleaner about this. If the temperature is below freezing, simply asking whether they use grit after cleaning can give you peace of mind. Any responsible professional will understand the concern and be happy to explain what precautions they take.

There may also be rare occasions, such as during heavy snow or prolonged hard frost, when postponing the clean is the safest option. Again, a good window cleaner will always put safety first and won’t take unnecessary risks.

In short, window cleaning in freezing weather isn’t unsafe by default — but it does require extra care. If water is allowed to freeze on outdoor surfaces, it becomes a risk. When ice-melting grit is used properly, that risk is greatly reduced.

If you’re ever unsure, just ask one of our professional window cleaners in Swindon who always work with your safety in mind.

If you’ve been looking for a window cleaner recently, you’ve probably seen prices advertised per month. On the surface, that sounds straightforward — and usually quite cheap.

But here’s the thing many homeowners don’t realise: paying monthly doesn’t always mean your windows are cleaned monthly.

In fact, a lot of window cleaners collect a fixed monthly payment while visiting every six or eight weeks. There’s nothing wrong with spreading payments out, but it can easily create confusion. Over time, customers may assume they’re getting more cleans than they actually are.

The result is that a price that looks low on paper can work out much higher once you look at how often the cleaner actually turns up.

This isn’t always done with bad intentions. Monthly payments are convenient, and they help cleaning companies keep things predictable throughout the year. The issue is simply clarity. When price and frequency aren’t clearly linked, it’s easy for homeowners to misunderstand what they’re paying for.

That’s why it’s always worth asking one simple question before choosing a window cleaner: how often will you actually be cleaning my windows?

Once you know that, it becomes much easier to judge whether a price is fair — and to compare different quotes properly.

As a rough guide, most typical homes in Swindon pay somewhere in the £20–£30 range per visit for regular exterior window cleaning. Whether you pay monthly or per clean matters less than knowing exactly what you’re getting.

At Window Hero, we believe pricing should be clear, simple, and upfront — no confusion, no assumptions. If you ever want a straightforward quote or just have a question about how pricing works, feel free to get in touch with one of our window cleaners in Swindon.

If you live in an apartment or a multi-storey home, you’ll know how quickly windows lose their shine. Rain, dust, pollution, and everyday grime can leave glass looking dull far sooner than expected. While clean windows make a huge difference to how a home feels, keeping them that way isn’t always straightforward. Many homeowners and apartment residents now find themselves asking the same question: is a window cleaning robot worth buying, or is it still better to hire a professional window cleaner?

Window cleaning robots have become increasingly popular as smart home technology improves. Designed to attach directly to glass and move across it automatically, they promise clean windows without ladders, awkward stretching, or waiting for appointments. For people with hard-to-reach windows, they offer a completely different way of maintaining clear glass throughout the year.

One of the biggest advantages of a window cleaning robot is how well it handles areas that are difficult to access. Exterior apartment windows, upper-floor glazing, and large fixed panes can be challenging to clean manually. Robots use suction to stay attached to the surface while following programmed cleaning paths, allowing you to maintain windows that would otherwise be neglected. This also makes them particularly useful for skylights and roof windows. In three-storey houses, skylights are often left dirty simply because reaching them requires specialist equipment or roof access. A window cleaning robot can usually clean these surfaces from inside the home, making regular upkeep far more practical.

Convenience is another major reason people consider buying one. Instead of arranging visits or working around availability, you can run the robot whenever you notice marks or buildup. This flexibility suits busy households, families, and anyone who prefers handling maintenance on their own schedule. Over time, the financial side can also make sense. Most window cleaning robots cost between £150 and £500 upfront, and while that feels like a significant purchase initially, it can compare favourably with repeated professional cleaning visits over several years.

However, robots do have limitations. The upfront cost is higher than traditional cleaning tools, and there can be a small learning curve when first setting one up. Some models require safety cords, specific pads, or recommended cleaning solutions for best performance. While they are effective at maintaining clean windows, they don’t always achieve the perfectly polished, streak-free finish that experienced professional cleaners deliver.

Professional window cleaners still offer clear advantages. With the right equipment and technique, they can produce consistently excellent results both inside and outside. They also work quickly, often completing a full clean in less time than a robot would take on multiple windows. For many homeowners, the biggest benefit is simplicity — once booked, the job is completely handled for you.

The main drawback is the ongoing cost. Professional window cleaning is a recurring expense, and prices can increase when access is complicated or specialised equipment is required. In some buildings or properties, arranging regular cleaning can also be less flexible than many people would like.

So which option is best? If professional cleaning is easy to arrange and fits comfortably within your budget, occasional visits may remain the most straightforward solution. But for apartment residents, higher-floor living, or homes with skylights and difficult glazing, a window cleaning robot can be a practical long-term investment. It gives you control over when and how often your windows are cleaned without relying on availability.

For those who prioritise a flawless finish, professionals still have the edge. Yet for everyday maintenance, convenience, and reducing the need for frequent appointments, robots perform surprisingly well.

Ultimately, a window cleaning robot doesn’t have to replace professional cleaning entirely. Many homeowners find the best approach is using a robot for regular upkeep while arranging occasional deep cleans when needed. If you’ve ever looked through cloudy glass and wished cleaning was easier, a window cleaning robot may be one of the most useful additions you can make to your home.