How to Clean a Polycarbonate Pergola Roof: Practical Advice

Another advantage of this material is that it requires very little maintenance. That’s not to say that you just can put up your pergola and let it take care of itself. The top of your gazebo will need a good wipe-down occasionally to maintain its smart appearance. And if you’re looking for advice on how to clean polycarbonate roofing, you’re in the right place.

Why Regular Cleaning of a Polycarbonate Pergola Roof is Important

Tough and transparent, this sturdy material is a great choice for a pergola roof. But to enjoy lazy days in the sun under a clean polycarbonate roof, you’ll need to give it a regular clean to remove debris and keep the surface transparent and grime free.

Cleaning will also give you a chance to carry out a close-up examination of your covering to check for any damage. Although, given the sturdiness and durability of polycarbonate, you’re unlikely to find any serious cracks or scratches.

Tools and Materials Needed

We recommend getting everything ready for your cleaning before you start. You’ll need a:

• Ladder or another safe way to reach the roof, such as mini-scaffolding
• Leaf blower/ soft broom to sweep off any debris such as leaves and twigs
• Bucket of warm water
• Mild soap or other specialist polycarbonate cleaning product
• Clean sponge or cloth

Safety Precaution

Cleaning your pergola roof is likely to require you to work at height, so you need to take care. Whether you’re using a ladder or scaffolding, make sure it’s placed on a flat, stable surface so it won’t wobble while you’re standing on it.

It’s also a good idea to wear safety gloves when using the soap or cleaning product. Or at the very least, test the solution you’re using on a small area of your skin to make sure you don’t have an adverse reaction to any chemicals in the formula.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process for a Polycarbonate Gazebo Roof

Here’s how to clean pergola roof debris and other dirt away quickly and safely:

1.     Choose a cool, dry day to clean your roof, so the surface will stay wet for longer after you apply the cleaning solution.

2. Make sure the surface is dry and clear away any loose debris from the roof, such as leaves or sticks 

3. Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and mix with a mild, non-abrasive soap that’s suitable for cleaning this material. The solution should be able to kill off any fungi, lichen, algae and moss that may have gathered or grown on the surface.

4. Dip a sponge into the liquid and gently rub the sponge on the sheets, following the direction of the flutes. 

5. When all areas have been cleaned, rinse using clean warm water. Use a hose for this or splash a bucket of clean water over the roof. Don’t use a pressure washer as this can cause damage.

6. After rinsing, you can let the surface dry naturally or use another soft cloth to speed up the process.

How to Effectively Remove Lichen From a Polycarbonate Roof

Lichen is an unsightly, plantlike organism that can grow in all kinds of places, including on gazebos. Cleaning lichen off polycarbonate roof surfaces requires the application of a solution with the power to remove different types of fungus. 

Apply the solution as directed to the affected area and leave it to soak for about 20 minutes. This will help to dissolve the surface of the lichen. Then spray the solution over the lichen again – this second application will reach the roots of the lichen to destroy it and make it easy to remove.

How Often Should a Polycarbonate Roof be Cleaned to Extend its Lifespan?

A good clean once or twice per year will usually be enough to keep your polycarbonate roof in good condition. However, much depends on where your pergola is located and how much debris and dirt gets deposited on the roof. If it’s positioned near or under trees, it’s likely that more sap, leaves, twigs and bird droppings will stain the roof, requiring more frequent cleaning.

You’ll know when it’s time to clean your roof if there are signs of discoloration in the polycarbonate, or if leaves and other detritus are gathering and blocking sunlight from beaming through.

Enjoy your gazebo

Following the steps on how to clean polycarbonate roofs that we’ve outlined above will help keep your gazebo gleaming clean, and give you somewhere that’s great to spend time with family and friends all year round.