Case Study:Residents Thrilled With Facade Services in Hyde Park

This high-end, Grade II listed property opposite Hyde Park in the heart of the West End, London, required routine façade cleaning services to maintain its aesthetic reputation.

Learn how the Spectrum team used patented pole cleaning equipment to deliver incredible results for the building while ensuring the original features of the property were protected.

The Logistics

Long-time client, Haus Block Management, receives the benefits of a rolling contract for façade maintenance with the first floor and ground floors of this property being cleaned every 2 months, before a bi-annual clean of the entire façade. 

After arriving on site for our routine pre-site assessment we quickly identified the following highlights of the project:

• Traffic pollution had caused discolouration against the cream-coloured surface.
• As a listed building, cleaning the property required extra care not to cause damage.
• We could complete the entire façade clean using our specialist modular carbon fibre pole system.
• The residents of these extremely high-end properties expect a certain level of care and attention which we insightfully scheduled into our timeline.
• Due to the location and high traffic volumes, pollution accumulates quickly on the façade of this property, presenting a challenging form of carbon staining.
• Fortunately, no machinery or rope access was necessary to complete the job due to the size of the building and the reach of our patented equipment.

Naturally, this satisfied the client immediately, knowing our costs are consistently lower than other maintenance companies they had used prior to our contract. Other companies had required expensive and intrusive cherry pickers (elevated work platforms) to gain access to the façade, which upset the residents.

With our pre-site assessment fulfilled, we established the necessary strategy and schedule for cleaning the façade that would be as efficient as possible for the client, while limiting any disturbance to the residents and the public.

The Project

Arriving on site, we signed in with the porter to get access to the necessary water points and electricity sources to supply and power our DOFF machines.

With the water and power access acquired, we set up the DOFF equipment and generators in a safe zone along the perimeter of the property wall. We cornered off this area with barriers to comply with health and safety regulations.

Erecting the poles is a two-man job, requiring the length to be as tall as the highest cleaning area. With the DOFF poles ready for cleaning, the team began working from top to bottom of the building before working around the perimeter.

Two operatives cleaning simultaneously quickened the process without compensating on the overall quality. Modifying the water supply system by rigging the hose to split in two meant both technicians could work with optimal water pressure levels.

Our façade cleaning included all aspects of the building, including windows, windowsills, facia, and stone sculptures. All-in-all, our façade cleaning experts took four days to work around the building and clean all the external property features.  

The Site

The listed, high-end property in Hyde Park Gardens in London is a regular spot for our team of building maintenance technicians. Our knowledge of the property helped simplify the logistics, as we were able to strategise any access or cleaning concerns with a clear understanding of the property beforehand.

The design of the façade also has large ledges where dirt accumulates. So, after a bit of rain, this mess runs down the façade to create dirty streaks. To minimise any further inconveniences for the client, we agreed to provide regular façade cleaning at least once every two months.

We also understood how busy the area is and the importance of remaining discreet for the residents of the building and neighbouring properties.

Challenges  

The first big challenge of this façade cleaning project was managing the site itself. Working closely to neighbouring homes and avoiding interference in private spaces, especially when people are working from home, requires careful and considered planning.

Small things like moving plant pots and furniture and remembering to put them back in the exact place are the details that can turn a good review into a bad one. Here at Spectrum, we take pride in having a considerate service with high attention to detail. Whether it’s the property residents or the public, working in busy areas like central London always requires an air of consideration for other people’s property.

After guaranteeing a cost-effective solution to our client, we had to work quickly and efficiently without jeopardising the overall quality of the façade cleaning. Therefore, we devised a split two-hose system from the mains water supply to allow both technicians to clean together at full pressure.

Something we noticed during this project was that the painted masonry façade was starting to show some wear and tear. The paint used is a high-quality Keim product, which lasts around 3-4 times as long as standard exterior paint. This paint is high quality but was showing signs of cracks and flaking that naturally occur over time. Luckily due to the regular servicing, we provide Hyde Park Gardens, we spotted this early and informed the client of our redecoration services. 

Although the client has to spend a little extra on regular cleaning services, it does work out cheaper in the long run, as it cuts out unexpected maintenance or repair costs in the future. In working quickly and without bulky access machinery, we could clean the building in the most efficient and cost-effective method for the client. 

The Result

Over four days, our façade cleaning specialists renewed the property with high-quality cleaning. Thanks to our uniquely designed attachments for the DOFF cleaning equipment, we could cut costs while maintaining the highest standards for the property. Here’s a quick overview of our process from start to finish:

• A pre-site visit helped us establish the best strategy for cleaning the façade and keeping costs low for the clients.
• We arrived on site and gained access to the water and power to supply our patented DOFF cleaning equipment.
• We prepared the DOFF cleaning generators within a safe zone, off limits to the public and residents to maintain safety.
• Our two-man team erected the poles at a sufficient height for the tallest parts of the cleaning area.
• Splitting the hose system in two gave both operatives equivalent water pressure levels to clean simultaneously to the same quality.
• Each technician worked from top to bottom around the building, cleaning windows and windowsills, facias and stone sculptures.

If you require any façade cleaning services or other building maintenance, repair or renovation solutions for your London property, get in touch and receive a free quote today.