Looking After Your Taylormade Facades Profiles
Maintenance Is Key to Longevity
Taylormade profiles are designed to require minimal routine maintenance once the specified decorative finish is complete. Whether factory finished or completed on site by others, regular inspection and simple routine care will help preserve the appearance and performance of the profiles for years to come.
Download Maintenance Guide (PDF)Inspection, Cleaning & Maintenance Service
Taylormade Facades offers an optional inspection, cleaning and maintenance service to help keep architectural profiles and associated areas in good condition.
Regular inspections can identify dirt build-up, joint movement, deteriorating sealants, surface damage and other maintenance requirements. Spotting a problem early may help prevent more extensive and costly repairs later.
The service can include:
- Annual visual inspection
- Careful cleaning of architectural profiles
- Inspection of joints, sealants and surface coatings
- Inspection of adjoining areas where relevant
- Photographic condition report
- Maintenance and repair recommendations
- A separate quotation for any remedial work required
Make It an Annual Habit
A simple visual inspection at least once a year is one of the best ways to protect the appearance and condition of the facade. Check for general soiling, biological growth, impact damage, cracks, and any visible deterioration to joints, sealants or junctions.
Early attention to minor defects can prevent moisture entering vulnerable junctions and developing into a more significant repair. Particular attention should be given to exposed horizontal surfaces, corners, returns and interfaces with adjoining materials.
Additional checks are sensible following severe weather, building works or alterations close to the profiles.
Keeping the Profile Finish Looking Its Best
Airborne dirt and atmospheric deposits will naturally accumulate on external finishes over time. In most cases, gentle cleaning with clean water and a mild, compatible detergent is sufficient to restore a clean appearance.
Horizontal and projecting details such as cills, copings, string courses and parapet cappings may require more frequent attention because they naturally collect dust, organic debris and moisture.
Use gentle cleaning methods
Use clean water at low pressure. Avoid concentrated jet washing directly against the profile surface or joints.
Use soft cleaning equipment
Use a soft brush, cloth or sponge. Do not use wire brushes, abrasive pads or other tools that could damage the finish.
Keep projecting surfaces clear
Remove leaves, dirt and debris from cills, copings and cappings so water can drain freely.
Test cleaning products first
Always test any detergent or cleaning treatment on a small inconspicuous area before treating a larger surface.
Avoid
- High-pressure jet washing close to the profile
- Wire brushes or abrasive pads
- Unapproved solvents or aggressive cleaning chemicals
- Drilling or fixing into the profile core
- Painting or recoating over failed joints without addressing the cause
- Working at height without suitable access and safety measures
Managing Biological Growth and Staining
Green, black or organic staining can develop on external surfaces that remain damp for prolonged periods, particularly on shaded or north-facing elevations and sheltered horizontal details. In many cases this is an environmental maintenance issue rather than a defect in the profile itself.
Light biological growth should be treated early using a suitable exterior cleaning or biocidal product that is compatible with the decorative finish. Always follow the cleaning-product manufacturer's instructions and test an inconspicuous area first.
Where growth repeatedly returns in the same location, check for an underlying source of persistent moisture such as defective drainage, overflowing gutters or water being directed onto the facade.
If staining remains after appropriate cleaning, contact Taylormade for advice before using stronger or abrasive treatments.
Preventing Corrosion Staining
Rust staining on or across a profile is commonly caused by corrosion of adjacent metalwork or inappropriate fixings, with contaminated rainwater then running across the finished surface.
Profiles are normally fixed with a 3-strip adhesive bed and Insta-Stik secondary fixing. Mechanical fixing is rarely needed; where the size or complexity of a profile calls for it, this is reviewed at design stage. Where mechanical fixings are used as part of the Taylormade installation, suitable corrosion-resistant fixings are specified for the application. Any subsequent brackets, signs, lights or other accessories installed by others should also use appropriate corrosion-resistant fixings.
Fixtures, Brackets and Attachments
Taylormade profiles are decorative, non-structural architectural components and should not be relied upon to support applied loads. The profile core itself is not a suitable fixing substrate.
Any light fitting, bracket, sign, hanging basket or similar item positioned through or over a profile must be securely fixed back to the structural substrate behind. Where a fixing passes through the profile, the detail must avoid crushing the profile and the penetration must be properly sealed against water ingress.
For heavier items or where there is any uncertainty, contact Taylormade before drilling or fixing through the profile.
Keeping Joints & Junctions Weather-Tight
Surface soiling is primarily cosmetic. The more important maintenance consideration is preventing water ingress at joints, interfaces and penetrations.
During routine inspections, check profile joints, corner mitres, returns and junctions with adjoining materials. Sealant should remain firmly bonded and free from significant cracking, splitting or separation.
Where sealant has failed, the joint should be prepared and renewed using a compatible sealant system appropriate to the original specification. If the correct material is uncertain, contact Taylormade before carrying out the repair.
White powdery deposits can sometimes occur where moisture migrates through adjacent cementitious materials. Cleaning the deposit alone may not prevent recurrence, so the source of excess moisture should also be identified and corrected.
If in Doubt, Ask Before You Act
This page provides general guidance for routine inspection and maintenance. If you identify cracking, impact damage, coating loss, persistent staining, failed joints or suspected water ingress, contact us before attempting a more substantial repair.
Not Sure What You're Dealing With?
Send us a clear photograph, the project location and a short description of the issue. We can then advise whether it is straightforward maintenance or whether further investigation is recommended.
Get in TouchInspection, Cleaning & Maintenance Questions
Does Taylormade Facades offer a cleaning and maintenance service?
Yes. We offer an optional inspection, cleaning and maintenance service for architectural profiles and associated areas. The scope is agreed for the individual property or project before a visit is arranged.
Why are regular inspections important?
Regular inspections can identify dirt build-up, joint movement, deteriorating sealants, surface damage and other maintenance requirements. Spotting a problem early may help prevent more extensive and costly repairs later.
How often should an inspection be arranged?
An annual visual inspection is a useful starting point. The appropriate timing can vary with exposure, condition, the completed finish and any project-specific maintenance requirements. Additional checks may be sensible following severe weather or nearby building work.
What does a maintenance inspection include?
The agreed service can include a visual inspection of the profiles, joints, sealants, surface coatings and relevant adjoining areas, together with photographs, a condition report and maintenance or repair recommendations.
Can Taylormade clean the profiles as part of the service?
Yes. Careful profile cleaning can be included where appropriate, using methods selected to suit the condition and decorative finish. Access and the proposed cleaning scope are reviewed before the work is quoted.
What happens if a problem is found?
We can record the issue in the condition report and recommend the next steps. Where remedial work is appropriate, it will be assessed and provided under a separate quotation before any additional work proceeds.
Can Taylormade inspect an older installation?
Yes. Send us the property or project details, location and any available photographs or records. We can review the information and confirm an appropriate inspection scope.
How can someone request an inspection?
Use our contact page to send the property or project location, a short description of the service required and any helpful photographs. We will review the information and respond about the next steps.