LARC Exteriors

LARC Exteriors Lydia & Robert | LARC Exteriors
Family-run window & exterior cleaning
Windows • Gutters • Fascias • Soffits
The Deepings & surrounding areas

01/09/2026

Two services we get asked about less often than windows and gutters, but are just as worth doing — solar panels and conservatory cleaning.

On solar panels: a lot of people assume the rain takes care of them. And it does, to a degree. But rain doesn't remove everything — bird droppings, pollen, fine dust from nearby roads and fields all build up on the surface over time. The issue is that even a partial layer of surface grime reduces the amount of light reaching the cells, which affects how well the panels perform.

We clean solar panels using pure water only — no chemicals, no abrasive tools — which is what manufacturers recommend. It removes the surface build-up properly without any risk of damage to the panels or the coating on the glass. It doesn't need doing constantly, but if yours haven't been cleaned since they were installed it's probably time.

On conservatories: these tend to get forgotten because the deterioration happens gradually. The glass picks up algae, the frames get grimy, the roof panels go from clear to a sort of murky green — and because it happens over months you almost stop noticing it.

A proper clean covers the glass, frames and roof and makes a real difference to how much light gets through, which is rather the whole point of having one.

Both are jobs we do as a standalone visit or alongside a window clean if you're already having us round anyway. ☀️🌿

31/08/2026

Just a quick one on this because it comes up when we talk to people about solar panel cleaning.

Some cleaning methods use detergents or chemicals to shift the dirt, and on the face of it that sounds reasonable. But most solar panel manufacturers specifically recommend against it. Chemicals can damage the coating on the glass over time, and if any residue is left behind it can actually attract more dirt rather than less.

Pure water is the recommended method because it's gentle, leaves no residue, and draws the surface dirt away as it dries. No risk to the panels, no chemical run-off, and the finish is genuinely clean rather than just shifted around.

We only ever use pure water on solar panels, the same system we use for window cleaning. It's the right tool for the job and keeps things as the manufacturer intends.

Worth knowing if you've had quotes from people offering different methods. Feel free to drop us a message if you've got any questions about it ☀️

29/08/2026

Something we've tried to be intentional about since we started is actually stopping to notice when something goes well.

When you're running a small business, especially in the early stages, there's always a long list of things still to do. More customers to find, more rounds to build, more things to set up and figure out. It's very easy to be so focused on what's ahead that you completely gloss over the progress you've already made.

First time someone booked us after seeing a post. First proper five-star review. First customer who came back and booked again without us having to prompt them. First month where the numbers genuinely looked good. None of those are huge on their own, but each one of them mattered.

We try to actually say "that's a good thing, let's acknowledge it" rather than immediately moving on to the next problem. It doesn't have to be a big celebration — sometimes it's just one of us saying to the other "we're doing alright, aren't we." But it matters.

Building something from scratch is hard, and most of the people around you won't always understand exactly what you're going through. So you have to be your own cheerleaders a bit. Celebrate the progress, learn from the setbacks, and keep showing up.

That's really all there is to it. 🥂

29/08/2026

We do residential rounds but we also cover commercial properties, and it's something we're happy to chat to local businesses about.

Shop fronts, office windows, business premises. They tend to get noticed more than residential windows do, because customers and clients see them every day. A clean, clear frontage makes a difference to how a place comes across, and it's one of those things that's easy to let slip when everyone's busy getting on with the actual running of the business.

We can work around opening hours and plan visits so they're not disruptive. Every job is a bit different so we prefer to have a quick conversation and do a proper quote rather than give a number before we've had a look.

If you run a local business or manage a commercial property anywhere across the Deepings, Peterborough, Stamford, Bourne or Spalding areas, feel free to get in touch and we'll work out what makes sense for you 👍

27/08/2026

We want to be straight with people on this. Blocked gutters aren't always an emergency, but they can turn into one if they're left for years rather than just a season.

What starts as a blockage causing water to overflow down the wall can, over time, lead to damp getting into the brickwork, water working its way behind the fascia boards, and in worse cases, rot in the roof timbers. None of those are a quick or cheap fix.

The wall staining is usually the first visible sign, that distinctive green or brown streak below the gutter line. By the time you're seeing that regularly, it's worth getting them cleared sooner rather than later.

We're not trying to scare anyone into booking. It's just genuinely one of those maintenance jobs that's worth staying on top of rather than waiting until something goes wrong. A clear once or twice a year is pretty straightforward and prevents a lot of potential hassle down the line.

If you can't remember the last time yours were done, that's probably a good enough reason to find out what's in there 😄

27/08/2026

I want to be straightforward about something, because I think people paint a slightly rosy picture of what running a business together actually looks like day to day.

Yes, it's great. Yes, we love it. But there are days where we've been in the van together since 8am, something hasn't gone to plan, we're both tired, and we have to make a call about something we don't quite agree on — and we're doing all of that as colleagues and as a couple at the same time.

That's genuinely difficult sometimes. The business doesn't stop just because you're having a rough day personally, and your personal mood doesn't always switch off just because you're trying to be professional.

What we've got better at is being honest about it rather than letting it simmer. If something's bothering one of us, we just say it. If we're both tired and need to park a decision until tomorrow, we do that. The worst thing you can do when you're working with your partner is let small stuff build up because neither of you wants to be the one to raise it.

We've also learned to genuinely trust each other in our own lanes. Robert handles a lot of the practical side and I handle a lot of the admin and communication side — and we've got much better at letting each other get on with it rather than second guessing.

It's not always easy. But honestly, I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else. 🤍

25/08/2026

Most people know their windows need cleaning. Far fewer think about the fascias and soffits — probably because they're at roofline level and easy to overlook from the ground.

So, quickly: your fascia is the flat board running along the front of the roofline, just below the edge. Your soffit is the board underneath the overhang between the fascia and the wall. Together they seal the roof edge, hold the guttering in place and protect the roof structure from the weather.

On most homes around here they're white uPVC, and over time algae, dirt and general weathering builds up on the surface. From a distance they can look okay. Get up close and you'll often see they've gone a dingy grey-green, with dark streaks running down from the roofline.

Beyond how it looks, leaving algae and grime to sit on uPVC over a long period isn't great for the material. It can also create a hiding spot for moisture, which — if the boards have any gaps — can work its way into the roof space.

A proper clean gets rid of all of that and brings them back to how they should look. The difference is quite noticeable, especially on older properties where they haven't been touched in a few years.

It's one of those jobs where people don't realise how much difference it makes until they see it. 🏡

25/08/2026

Most people think about cleaning the glass panels on a conservatory but the roof is the bit that really tends to suffer.

It catches everything. Leaves, algae, pollen, moss, bird mess, and because it's not at eye level you stop really seeing it. We've been to conservatories where the glass roof panels are so green they're barely letting any light through at all.

Getting the roof cleaned properly makes a noticeable difference to the inside of the room. More light, fresher feel, and the whole thing just looks better from outside the house too.

The other thing worth knowing is that debris sitting on polycarbonate roof panels isn't great long term. Moisture held under leaves and algae can cause deterioration of the surface over time, especially on older panels.

We clean conservatory roofs as part of a full conservatory clean or on their own depending on what's needed. Reach out if yours is looking a bit neglected, it's usually more straightforward to sort than people think 😊

24/08/2026

Window cills are one of the most overlooked parts of a house exterior. They sit horizontally, which means they collect everything — dust, pollen, debris from overhanging trees, bird mess, and general grime that washes down from the frame above. Over time that all bonds to the surface and the cill goes from white to a dirty grey.

We clean cills as part of our standard window clean, not as an extra — because a clean window with a grubby cill underneath it doesn't really look finished.

This one went from quite dirty to properly clean, which was satisfying. Call us on 0800 061 4472 to get booked in. 🏡

23/08/2026

We try not to be doom and gloom about this stuff, but there is a genuine practical reason to keep fascias and soffits clean rather than just a cosmetic one.

The boards sit at the edge of the roof and are exposed to whatever the weather throws at them all year round. When algae and moisture sit on UPVC for extended periods, it starts to affect the surface. It can cause discolouration that becomes harder to shift the longer it's left, and in some cases it accelerates the degradation of the material itself.

The soffits in particular can be a problem if debris builds up on top of them. If there are any small gaps around the roofline, that muck can find its way in over time.

A clean every year or two keeps things in decent condition and makes the whole front of the property look better maintained. And honestly, once they're done you wonder how you didn't notice them before. The difference is usually pretty dramatic.

We can do them on their own or alongside gutters and windows if you want everything sorted in one visit 🏡

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Market Deeping

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+448000614472

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