[Arnold Palmer]

So, we have a big fancy hotel we clean, they got 5 domes installed last year for outside dining post covid. Just had the manager on the phone saying that they've got algae between the panes. They cleaned one of them themselves using a pressure washer, he said that worked but they have damaged the glass (I think it might actually be plastic - going tomorrow to look).

He wants me to come back with a 'soft attachment' to clean it (before Tuesday, typical). Any ideas? My first thought is some kind of chemical although obviously these things are dining areas so we'd need to be super careful.

[NWH]

If it was too bad I’d try and find an attachment to try and drag the worst of it out first  like a hook shaped tool before I poled it.

[Splash & dash]

Use a hypo mix scrub with wfp rinse jobs done

[Arnold Palmer]

Use a hypo mix scrub with wfp rinse jobs done

Is that safe to use in a food hygiene environment?

Also, will it kill the grass?

[Smudger]

Apply it using wfp and backpack - it may turn the edge of the grass white but only if careless
And don’t clean while people are eating inside 👍

They look like poly carb not glass - do a test piece first to check for any reaction or scratching

Darran

[Matt.]

Hypo won’t help on glass mate, either use a degreaser in a bucket and just dip brush in it ….

If it was me tho and food safety I would just squirt washing up liquid onto me brush head using a small goose neck for over the top point.

[alank]

you will need to do a scratch/abrasion test on the inside and outside of the job. some pollycarbonate sheets only have one scratch resistant face. Try to find out who installed them and request data sheet for the polly that they used.

[Jonny 87]

Probably goes without saying but flocked brush only for that. It minimises any scratches.

[Arnold Palmer]

Been to see them today. The panels are plastic, going to try a mild detergent via backpack - pressure washer - WFP.

They have asked for all 5 (one on them is modding massive but it's new so not needed this time) to be cleaned every 6 months, I'd prefer if I could spray it with something to prevent the algae rather than clean it, would that be possible?

[Ched]

I'd prefer if I could spray it with something to prevent the algae rather than clean it, would that be possible?

Could you use a biocide on them to kill all the algae? You would have to check with dome manufacturer what the material is and then check biocide suitable!

[Smudger]

After an initial clean a light spray over with a mild Hypo mix then rinse off with pure would all thats needed

the one in the photo would take about 20 mins to do

Darran

[Arnold Palmer]

After an initial clean a light spray over with a mild Hypo mix then rinse off with pure would all thats needed

the one in the photo would take about 20 mins to do

Darran

The one in the photos is tiny, I have allowed 1 1/2 hours for it (it's pretty grotty).

[Arnold Palmer]

I'd prefer if I could spray it with something to prevent the algae rather than clean it, would that be possible?

Could you use a biocide on them to kill all the algae? You would have to check with dome manufacturer what the material is and then check biocide suitable!

Just spoke to the manufacturer, they're not worried, so long as it's not abrasive.

[Smudger]

After an initial clean a light spray over with a mild Hypo mix then rinse off with pure would all thats needed

the one in the photo would take about 20 mins to do

Darran

The one in the photos is tiny, I have allowed 1 1/2 hours for it (it's pretty grotty).

So just use a long range nozzle and spray - I do marques unto 20 meters wide and spray the entire width without a problem
only takes a few minutes

Darran

[Splash & dash]

Hypo will be fine in a food area as long as it’s rinsed well I wouldn’t be so keen to use it inside though unless plenty of ventilation, also I would be concerned about scratching the plastic  panels  using a brush on them I would be tempted to softwash them and rinse with a jet and not  scrub them and see what they come up like , we have a few customers that have this type of thing in their gardens but they are glass and either metal  or wooden frames . Hypo if use correctly will not kill the grass .

[Arnold Palmer]

There is no issue with the grass, they've since built a patio round them.

The issue is algae between the panes.

[Splash & dash]

There is no issue with the grass, they've since built a patio round them.

The issue is algae between the panes.

That is a pain again hypo will go in between the plastic sheets and kill it but getting the dirt out could be difficult a pressure washer on low pressure might get it out or  softwashing pump should have enough pressure to blast it out but it will be a bit fiddly and time consuming.

[Smudger]

Agree the hypo will get in there but you may some residue left - looks like a poor design

I get car ports where they use that cheap corrugated clear plastic and overlay it by 3 or 4 rows and the algae grows between them - I let the customer know its not going out - it required dismantling - this could be the case here

Darran

[robbo333]

Same as above, start with weak hypo mix, low pressure wash and do a test area first.
Probably need to manage customer's expectations too.
What an awful design!
I think if you can get it look half decent, the customer will be happy and you could end up with a nice regular earner.

[Arnold Palmer]

5 boys, two pressure washers, zero chemicals, six hours.

Totally spotless now, like brand new.