Caring for your conservatory

Follow our useful tips below

• General maintenance

  Refer to the section on uPVC and Aluminium Windows and Doors for information on caring for your Everest Conservatory. Timber Conservatories can also be maintained in accordance with the instructions given in the section on Everest Timber Products.

  WARNING!

  Please don’t climb onto your conservatory roof. Instead, if it is absolutely necessary, it should only be done by a competent person using specialist equipment specifically designed for the relevant function 

  Seasonal

  As a result of the changing seasons, the environment within your conservatory changes considerably and there are also temporary conditions that may occur when your conservatory is first installed, such as condensation when the building dries out.

  Ventilation

  Natural ventilation can help maintain a comfortable environment in your conservatory and will help to minimise condensation. Trickle vents, roof vents, windows and doors can all provide ventilation, but remember to think about security as well.

  Heating

  Heating a conservatory can also assist with controlling condensation. A conservatory that suffers from condensation may benefit from being kept slightly warmer and heaters are most effective when mounted on dwarf walls beneath window units.

  Fans

  Fans will also assist in controlling the environment within a conservatory. They can provide a cooling effect in summer and should a fan have a reverse facility its operation can be reversed in winter to re-circulate warm air trapped at ceiling level.

  Fans must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. There must be a minimum clearance of 180mm between the fan blade tips and any obstructions. To avoid risk of injury, the rotating fan blades must be no closer than 2300mm from the finished floor level inside the conservatory.

  Blinds

  Where necessary, blinds can be fitted to a conservatory roof or its walls to help provide shade and privacy, but the following guidelines must be followed to avoid damage.

  The installation of blinds will be carried out at the risk of the person or company undertaking the job. Blinds must never be fitted covering a number of roof panes with one blind across the inside surface of the glazing bars. This would result in heat being trapped between the blinds and the glass and may result in damage and discolouration to roof members.

  The best blind design covers each roof pane individually, allowing a minimum of 15mm ventilation gap around its perimeter to let heat to escape.

  Weather Seals

  While cleaning, check these are in place and undamaged. If dislodged, slide them back into place. Should any weather seals be damaged, please contact Everest to arrange a service call.

• Guttering

  Guttering on a conservatory is always laid level in accordance with BS6367:1983 Code of Practice for Drainage of Roofs. You may therefore occasionally notice standing water in the guttering system. It is important that the gutters are checked regularly and kept clear of debris

• Glass

  General Cleaning

  For general cleaning, use a soft cloth and water with soap or washing-up liquid.

  Tough Stains

  • Use a commercial window cleaning solution or cream
  • Follow cleaning product instructions
  • Keep solution or cream away from the frame
  • Wash away residue with clean water

  Avoid

  • Do not use creams containing abrasive pastes
  • Do not use steel wool or razor blades on stubborn marks

  Leaded Glass

  After a period of time the lead naturally becomes weathered and the oxidisation will be of a uniform colour. The time will vary from installation to installation and even from window to window, depending on the degree of exposure to the elements and whether the installation is in a rural or urban environment. Be patient and allow the natural process to take its course

  Condensation

  Condensation occurs when water vapour comes into contact with a cold surface like glass. A considerable amount of water is used in a conservatory’s construction in the foundations, dwarf walls, concrete floors and plaster.

  This water will dry out over a period of time and the duration may vary considerably depending on the weather conditions. For instance, it will take much longer in cool wet weather conditions. The drying out process can be accelerated at any time of year by making sure the conservatory is well ventilated and warm.

  Quote from the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) Advisory Booklet:

  “Double glazing cannot cause condensation. By acting as a heat barrier and providing an inner pane which is considerably warmer than the outer pane, condensation is reduced.”

  “…condensation is a ventilation problem. Provided the rooms are heated normally, the solution will probably be found by providing controlled ventilation.”

• Self-cleaning glass

  The internal panes of glass can be cleaned following the guidelines above for cleaning standard glazing. The external surface of the self-cleaning glass should be cleaned according to the following guidelines:

  Activation

  The properties of Everest self-cleaning glass can take up to one month to activate. Activation depends on the level of sunlight and can therefore can take longer in winter months

  General Cleaning

  Normally the sun and rain are enough to clean the external panes of self-cleaning glass. Between rainfalls, however, you can simply hose the glass down. In hard-water areas, reduce milky white mineral deposits by adding solvent-free detergent via a suitable applicator

  Tough Stains

  • Wipe down with a soft cloth and soapy water, then rinse. If necessary, use a non-abrasive liquid glass cleaner
  • Take care not to trap dirt in the cloth
  • For wet paint or ink, use a soft, clean cloth and methylated spirits right away, then rinse
  • For dry paint or ink, use the above method but keep dabbing spirits on with clean areas of cloth
  • Do not rub spirits into the paint or ink as it can remove the coating

  Avoid

  • Do not use rubber squeegees, metal scrapers, razor blades, steel wool or any other hard object as they will damage the self-cleaning surface
  • Do not use cream cleaners, functional products (such as anti-mist) products or any other chemical products as they may either damage the self-cleaning coating or leave a film over the top of it and stop it from working
  • Do not let the alkali from your concrete leach onto glass 

  NOTE: After manual cleaning, the self-cleaning coating takes a week to reactivate.

• Locks

  Lubrication

  • To lubricate, use light machine oil
  • Do not use other oil, grease or WD40

  Keys

  • Have extra keys cut using Everest Key Cutting Service - call 0844 892 0177
  • Please note that a lock cannot be removed from a door without a key
  • For all access and security emergencies, call the out of hours service on 0844 892 0177

• Hinges

  Lubrication

  • To lubricate metal door hinges, use light machine oil (as little and as infrequently as possible)
  • Use light machine oil to lubricate catches, restrictors and window hinges as necessary
  • Do not use other oil or grease
  • Do not use any other lubricant
  • Do not lubricate plastic moving parts as they’re self-lubricating