Safe, Professional High Level Cleaning
Across Plymouth & Devon
No Height Too Challenging
Reach the areas others can't. Our high level cleaning service covers gutters, fascias, soffits, cladding and building exteriors at any height — using safe access methods, specialist equipment and fully insured operators.
4.9★ rated · 109+ reviews · 9 years experience
What Is High Level Cleaning?
High level cleaning encompasses all exterior cleaning work that requires specialist access equipment to reach safely. This includes upper-storey gutters, fascias, soffits, barge boards, dormers, chimneys, high-level cladding, signage, canopies and any architectural feature above standard ladder reach.
At Scrub & Shine Southwest, we provide high level cleaning for residential, commercial and industrial properties across Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay and the wider Devon and Cornwall area. Our team holds current working at height certifications and uses appropriate equipment for every job.
High level areas are the most neglected part of most buildings — simply because they're difficult and dangerous to access. Yet these areas collect the same dirt, algae, moss and biological growth as ground-level surfaces. Without regular cleaning, deterioration accelerates in areas where it's hardest to spot until damage becomes extensive.
We use a range of access methods including telescopic water-fed poles (reaching up to 20 metres from ground level), mobile scaffold towers, cherry pickers and traditional scaffolding — selecting the safest and most cost-effective option for each specific job.
The Risks of Ignoring High Level Maintenance
Upper-storey gutters block just like ground-level gutters — but the consequences are often worse because water overflows at a height where it can penetrate behind cladding, through damaged fascia boards and into the roof space. By the time water damage from high-level gutter failure becomes visible inside the building, significant structural damage may already have occurred.
Fascia and soffit boards at height are exposed to the worst weather conditions. Without cleaning, biological growth retains moisture against these surfaces, accelerating rot in timber fascias and discolouration in uPVC. Replacing fascias and soffits at height requires scaffolding — making the repair significantly more expensive than the cleaning that would have prevented it.
Commercial buildings with cladding systems face particular challenges. Dirt and algae streaking on cladding panels creates a neglected appearance that's visible from a distance. Cladding joints and seals deteriorate faster when biological growth retains moisture against them.
DIY attempts to clean at height are extremely dangerous. Falls from height are the single biggest cause of workplace death and serious injury in the UK. Even experienced tradespeople suffer life-changing injuries from ladder falls every year. Professional high level cleaning uses appropriate access equipment, risk assessments and trained operators.
Our High Level Cleaning Process
Access Assessment
We survey the building, identify the safest and most effective access method and produce a risk assessment covering all working at height requirements.
Equipment Setup
The appropriate access equipment — water-fed poles, scaffold towers, cherry pickers or traditional scaffolding — is set up and safety-checked before work begins.
Systematic Cleaning
Working from top to bottom, we clean all high level surfaces including gutters, fascias, soffits, cladding, barge boards and any other specified elements.
Inspection at Height
While we have access, we inspect all high level elements for damage — cracked tiles, loose flashing, deteriorating mortar, cable issues and any maintenance concerns we can identify.
Completion & Report
All equipment is removed, the site is left clean and you receive a condition report covering anything we've found that needs attention.
Why Choose Professional High Level Cleaning?
Safety First
Our team holds current working at height certifications. We use appropriate equipment, follow HSE guidelines and carry full insurance. No dangerous DIY laddering required.
Reach Everything
Water-fed poles reach up to 20 metres from ground level. Scaffold towers and cherry pickers access the most challenging areas. No part of your building exterior is out of reach.
Prevent Hidden Damage
High level areas deteriorate silently until damage becomes severe. Regular cleaning and inspection catches problems early — when fixes are simple and affordable.
Cost-Effective Access
We match the access method to the job. Telescopic poles avoid scaffold costs for many tasks. When scaffolding is needed, we coordinate multiple services (cleaning, repairs, painting) to maximise the value of the access.
Complete Building Care
We clean gutters, fascias, soffits, cladding, dormers and chimneys in a single visit — maintaining your entire building exterior, not just the parts you can reach from the ground.
Commercial Compliance
Regular high level cleaning supports building maintenance compliance, health and safety obligations and lease covenants for commercial tenants.
High Level Cleaning: Methods, Equipment & Applications
Telescopic water-fed pole systems are our primary tool for high level cleaning up to 20 metres (approximately 5–6 storeys). These poles use purified water pumped through a brush head at the tip. The purified water cleans effectively without chemicals and leaves no residue. The operator works from ground level, eliminating working at height risks entirely.
For residential properties, water-fed poles handle the majority of high level cleaning tasks — upper-storey windows, fascias, soffits, barge boards and gutters. The system is lightweight and non-invasive, requiring no scaffolding and causing no disruption to the property or neighbours.
Mobile scaffold towers provide a stable working platform for tasks that require hands-on access — such as gutter repairs, fascia replacement and detailed cleaning of complex architectural features. Towers can be erected and dismantled quickly and safely by our trained team.
Cherry pickers (mobile elevating work platforms) are used for commercial buildings and situations where scaffold towers aren't practical — for example, over sloped ground, above conservatories or where access is restricted. We arrange MEWP hire and operate the equipment ourselves.
Traditional tube-and-fitting scaffolding is specified for large-scale projects, listed buildings and situations requiring extended access periods. While more expensive than other methods, scaffolding provides the most stable and versatile working platform for complex projects.
We frequently coordinate high level cleaning with other services — gutter repairs, fascia painting, roof cleaning and solar panel maintenance — to maximise the value of the access setup. If you have multiple maintenance tasks, scheduling them together saves significant cost on access equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does high level cleaning cost?+
Pricing depends on the building height, access method required and scope of cleaning. Residential high level gutter and fascia cleaning typically costs £150–£350. Commercial projects are quoted individually following a site survey.
Do you need scaffolding for high level cleaning?+
Not always. Our telescopic water-fed poles reach up to 20 metres from ground level, handling most residential and many commercial tasks without scaffolding. We'll recommend the most cost-effective access method for your specific building.
Is high level cleaning safe?+
When done by qualified professionals with appropriate equipment, yes. Our team holds current working at height certifications, uses fall-prevention equipment and follows HSE guidelines. We carry £5 million public liability insurance.
Can you clean commercial buildings at height?+
Yes. We clean office blocks, retail units, industrial buildings, schools and public buildings at all heights. We use water-fed poles, scaffold towers and cherry pickers as appropriate.
What can you clean at high level?+
Gutters, fascias, soffits, barge boards, dormers, chimneys, cladding, signage, canopies, high-level windows and any accessible exterior surface. If it needs cleaning and it's at height, we can reach it.
Do you inspect for damage while cleaning?+
Yes. Every high level cleaning visit includes a visual inspection. We photograph any damage, deterioration or maintenance concerns and report them to you. This early warning service is included at no extra cost.
Can you combine high level cleaning with repairs?+
Absolutely. We offer gutter repairs, fascia replacement and minor roof repairs. Combining cleaning with repairs maximises the value of the access setup and saves you money.
What areas do you cover?+
We cover Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay, Liskeard, Bodmin, Newquay, Kingsbridge, Bude and surrounding areas. Call 07400 506955 for a free quote.
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Ready to Get Started?
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote. We respond within 24 hours and can usually schedule your job within the week.
Fully insured · Free estimates · 9 years experience