0499 602 499
Tips, Tricks and Tidbits
From The Industry
Industry Secrets for the Perfect Clean
Quick reads on keeping your windows, gutters, and solar panels spotless!
As a commercial property manager in Mildura, you're juggling countless responsibilities. Between tenant concerns, building repairs, and budget constraints, it's easy to let scheduled maintenance slide—especially for solar panels and windows that might look "clean enough" from ground level. But this approach can be costly in the long run.
After establishing Mike's Window, Gutter and Solar Cleaning to serve commercial properties in the Mildura region, I've seen how proper maintenance scheduling can save property managers money while maximising asset values. This practical guide will help you develop a comprehensive maintenance calendar specifically designed for our unique regional conditions.
Commercial buildings in Mildura face distinct challenges compared to residential properties:
Larger surface areas requiring more extensive cleaning
Higher energy consumption making solar efficiency critical
More complex access requirements and safety considerations
Stricter insurance and compliance obligations
Greater impact of appearance on business reputation
"Regular maintenance is essential for commercial properties with solar installations. Professional cleaning helps maintain warranty compliance and optimal performance." - Mike
Before diving into the maintenance calendar, it's important to understand what makes Mildura's climate unique and challenging for commercial property maintenance:
Mildura receives among the highest UV ratings in Victoria, which accelerates the degradation of exposed surfaces. For solar panels, this means the protective glass coating can deteriorate faster without proper care.
Our agricultural region experiences distinctive dust patterns throughout the year:
Harvest dust (particularly from grape and citrus production)
Red Mallee dust during dry periods
Pollen from nearby farms and natural vegetation
Mildura's low annual rainfall means less natural cleaning of solar panels and windows. When rain does come, it often follows dry periods, creating muddy residue rather than clean surfaces.
Our hot summers and cold winters create expansion and contraction cycles that can impact the seals around solar panels and windows, making regular inspection crucial.
These regional factors create a perfect storm for reduced efficiency if not properly maintained through a structured schedule.
Priority: Heat Management & Efficiency
Solar Panels: Complete professional cleaning early January
Windows: External clean with heat-reflective finish
Gutters: Check for summer storm debris
Documentation: Record summer baseline energy production
During this period, focus on:
Removing holiday period dust accumulation
Checking for storm debris damage
Ensuring maximum efficiency during peak electricity demand
Documenting system performance during highest solar production period
Mike's Tip: Schedule solar cleaning before the January heat waves hit. The combination of holiday dust accumulation and intense summer sun can significantly impact efficiency right when your cooling costs are highest.
Priority: Harvest Dust Management
Solar Panels: Post-harvest cleaning (critical for agricultural areas)
Windows: Full interior and exterior clean
Gutters: Complete cleanout before winter rains
Documentation: Update maintenance logs for warranty compliance
During this period, focus on:
Addressing dust from grape and fruit harvests
Removing accumulated organic matter
Preparing drainage systems for winter
Checking for damage from summer heat exposure
Mike's Tip: The autumn harvest period in Mildura creates unique cleaning challenges. Agricultural dust can accumulate quickly on solar panels and windows. Properties near vineyards and orchards should consider additional cleaning during this period.
Priority: Rain Readiness & Light Optimisation
Solar Panels: Performance check and cleaning as needed
Windows: Complete clean to maximise natural light during shorter days
Gutters: Pre-winter inspection and cleaning
Documentation: Schedule mid-year performance review
During this period, focus on:
Ensuring all drainage channels are completely clear
Removing autumn leaf litter from gutters and roof areas
Maximising natural light penetration through clean windows
Checking solar panel mounting for any movement after summer expansion
Mike's Tip: Winter brings shorter days with less intense sunlight. Clean windows become crucial for reducing lighting costs and improving workplace productivity during these darker months. Consider investing in a deeper clean of north-facing windows that provide the most natural light.
Priority: System Integrity
Solar Panels: Inspection for cold weather impacts and cleaning
Windows: Spot cleaning as needed
Gutters: Check for winter blockages
Documentation: Update insurance compliance records
During this period, focus on:
Checking for moisture ingress around panel edges
Inspecting for frost damage to system components
Ensuring all drainage points remain clear during rainy periods
Documenting system condition for insurance purposes
Mike's Tip: The winter months are ideal for a comprehensive system inspection when panels aren't operating at peak output. Pay special attention to the sealing around panel edges where moisture can penetrate during wet weather.
Priority: Pollen Management & Preparation for Peak Performance
Solar Panels: Complete spring cleaning to remove pollen buildup
Windows: Full external clean
Gutters: Complete cleanout before storm season
Documentation: Update maintenance logs and schedule year-end review
During this period, focus on:
Removing winter grime before it gets baked on by summer heat
Clearing all pollen deposits from surfaces
Preparing for the storm season with clear drainage
Setting performance benchmarks before peak production season
Mike's Tip: Spring in Mildura brings significant pollen issues. This creates a residue on both solar panels and windows that normal rain won't always wash away. Spring cleaning should include treatment for pollen removal to prevent long-term adhesion issues.
Priority: Peak Performance Preparation
Solar Panels: Pre-summer complete system clean
Windows: Full interior and exterior cleaning
Gutters: Pre-summer inspection and cleaning
Documentation: Annual performance analysis and warranty documentation
During this period, focus on:
Ensuring maximum efficiency going into peak production months
Preparing buildings for holiday operations
Documenting annual performance metrics
Completing warranty compliance documentation
Mike's Tip: Schedule your November cleaning early before the holiday rush. This ensures your building is operating efficiently during the summer cooling period. Consider scheduling evening cleans to minimise disruption during the busy pre-holiday season.
Commercial buildings present unique access challenges compared to residential properties. When scheduling maintenance, consider:
Commercial buildings typically require specialised equipment and safety protocols for accessing rooftop solar installations. Under WorkSafe Victoria guidelines, proper harness systems, guardrails, or elevated work platforms may be needed.
Identify the least disruptive access points for maintenance crews. Rear entrances, service lifts, or weekend access might minimise tenant disruption.
Commercial buildings often have security systems that need special consideration. Arrange for security personnel or system modifications during scheduled maintenance.
The Australian Building Codes Board provides detailed guidance on safe access requirements for commercial building maintenance that should inform your planning.
One of the biggest challenges property managers face is justifying maintenance expenses to owners or boards. Here's how to build an effective case:
Track solar production before and after cleaning to demonstrate ROI. According to the Clean Energy Council, regular cleaning can help maintain optimal system performance.
Our commercial packages offer savings compared to individual service calls. Annual contracts typically save on overall maintenance costs.
Clean, well-maintained properties can contribute to tenant satisfaction and retention. This is especially important for retail and professional offices.
Scheduled maintenance programs allow for consistent budgeting rather than emergency cleaning when systems fail or tenants complain.
Solar panel warranties typically require documented maintenance. The value of maintaining warranty coverage should be factored into your ROI calculations.
Commercial cleaning shouldn't interrupt your tenants' business operations:
We offer early morning, evening, and weekend options to clean your property when it impacts tenants least.
For larger properties, we can break the cleaning project into zones to minimise disruption to any single tenant.
Clear communication with tenants about maintenance schedules helps avoid disruptions and complaints.
Different businesses have different sensitivities to maintenance disruption:
Retail: Avoid peak shopping hours and sales events
Restaurants: Schedule around meal service times
Offices: Early morning or weekend cleaning is typically preferred
Medical facilities: Coordinate with appointment schedules
Mike's Tip: Early morning cleaning is often the best option for retail and office complexes, allowing work to be completed before business hours. For restaurants and cafes, post-closing evening cleans work best.
In Mildura's dry climate, water conservation is both an environmental and regulatory concern. Modern commercial cleaning approaches include:
Modern solar cleaning equipment uses significantly less water than traditional methods. Advanced systems can clean effectively with minimal water usage.
For larger commercial projects, water capture and recycling systems can dramatically reduce overall consumption.
Cleaning early in the morning reduces water evaporation and increases cleaning efficiency.
According to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, commercial properties should implement water-efficient maintenance practices, particularly in drought-prone regions like Mildura.
Efficiency comes from proper coordination. Consider scheduling your cleaning services:
Before major tenant events or seasonal promotions
Following nearby construction or agricultural activity
In conjunction with car park or facade cleaning
Mike's Tip: Coordinating different maintenance services on the same day can reduce access costs and minimise disruption. Create a master calendar that incorporates all external service providers.
Between scheduled professional cleanings, implement these monitoring practices:
Train facility staff to visually inspect solar panels from safe vantage points monthly.
Implement simple monitoring of system output to identify sudden drops that might indicate cleaning needs.
Schedule additional inspections following significant dust storms, heavy pollen release, or construction activity nearby.
Create simple reporting mechanisms for tenants to notify management of visible issues with windows or solar performance.
The Energy Efficiency Council recommends regular performance monitoring as part of a comprehensive energy management strategy for commercial buildings.
Every commercial property in Mildura has unique needs based on:
Building orientation and exposure
Surrounding environment (agricultural, urban, etc.)
Tenant types and hours of operation
Budget constraints and performance goals
To develop your customised maintenance calendar:
Assess Your Building's Specific Challenges Consider your building's location, surrounding activities, and construction materials.
Review Historical Patterns Analyse when your building typically experiences the most soiling or efficiency drops.
Align with Tenant Operations Map out tenant business cycles to identify optimal cleaning windows.
Consider Seasonal Factors Adjust frequency based on Mildura's seasonal challenges.
The Property Council of Australia offers resources on best practices for commercial property maintenance that can complement your cleaning schedule.
Contact us today for a consultation to develop a customised maintenance calendar for your commercial property.
Maintaining commercial properties in Mildura requires attention to our unique regional conditions. A well-planned maintenance calendar can help protect your property values while ensuring optimal efficiency of your solar investment.
Commercial property management is ultimately about balancing costs with asset preservation and tenant satisfaction. Regular, planned maintenance creates predictability in both budgeting and performance, reducing the likelihood of emergency interventions and tenant complaints.
By implementing the seasonal approach outlined in this guide, you'll not only maintain your property's appearance and function but also maximise the return on your solar investment through improved efficiency and extended system life.
Find everything you need to know about our solar, gutter, and window cleaning services
Regular solar panel cleaning ensures that your panels operate at peak efficiency. Dust, bird droppings, and grime can block sunlight, reducing the amount of power your panels generate. With Mike’s professional-grade equipment and pure water system, we leave your panels spotless and more effective, without the risk of damage that DIY methods can cause.
We use state-of-the-art equipment specifically designed for solar panels, including rotating brushes and water purification systems that leave no residue. Our water is purified to 000 parts per million, meaning there’s zero contamination left on your panels – a requirement in many panel warranties. This ensures maximum efficiency and long-term panel health.
Yes! For bird proofing, we use high-quality Vexo solar mesh with a 6-year UV warranty to withstand the Australian climate. Plus, we back our work with a 3-year guarantee against birds re-entering. If you have any issues with our installation, we’ll fix it free of charge.
For solar panels, we recommend cleaning once a year to maintain peak performance. Gutters should ideally be cleaned at least twice a year to prevent blockages and water damage. Windows benefit from a clean at least once or twice a year, depending on your property’s exposure to dust and weather.
We proudly serve the Sunraysia region, including Mildura, Merbein, Irymple, Dareton, Red Cliffs, Buronga, Nichols Point, and Wentworth. For larger commercial jobs, we may consider locations outside this area.
Generally, there’s no minimum job size, but pricing is often more economical for properties with multiple panels or windows. For residential solar cleaning, our rate starts at $160 for up to 20 panels, and for windows, we offer tailored pricing based on property size and requirements.
Purified water leaves no residue, ensuring that your panels dry spotless and without streaks. Many providers use tap water, which contains minerals that can leave spots or reduce efficiency. Using 000 ppm pure water is a standard we uphold because it complies with most solar panel warranties and provides the cleanest, most effective results.
Absolutely. Mike is certified in panel inspections and fault-finding, and he uses thermal imaging to identify potential issues that might impact performance. This means that every cleaning includes a basic inspection, and we’ll alert you if we spot any problems.
Easy! Just let us know which services you’re interested in, and we’ll provide a bundled quote that covers all your needs – from solar panel cleaning to gutter and window maintenance. Mike’s flexible scheduling allows us to handle multiple services in a single visit, so it’s efficient and cost-effective for you.
Booking is simple! You can text us at 0499 602 499, email us at [email protected], or complete our online form, and we’ll be in touch to confirm your booking and discuss any specific needs. We’re here to make the process as easy and straightforward as possible!
Based in Mildura, we proudly serve surrounding areas, including Merbein, Irymple, Dareton, Red Cliffs, Buronga, Nichols Point, and Wentworth for all your solar panel, gutter, and window cleaning needs. Looking for reliable cleaning services a bit further out in Sunraysia? Give us a call, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your location and requirements.
© Copyright 2025. Mike's Window, Gutter and Solar Cleaning Mildura. All Rights Reserved.