A few minutes of care keeps your pergola, louvered roof, screens and patio looking and working like new for years. Here's what to clean, how often, and what to avoid.
Wash with mild soap · flush gutters & downspouts · clean screen fabric · test sensors
Twice a year
Deep clean fabric roofs · lubricate door tracks (silicone) · wash furniture & cushions
Once a year
Replace remote/sensor batteries · full system check-up by our service team
After every storm
Clear debris from louvers and gutters · check screens and fabric for damage
Care guide
How to care for each product
Jump to your system:
Aluminum Pergolas & Louvered Roofs
Powder-coated aluminum doesn't rust, rot or need painting — it just needs regular washing so dust, pollen and bird droppings don't bake into the finish.
Do
Rinse frames and louvers with a garden hose every 1–2 months
Wash with mild, pH-neutral soap and a soft brush or microfiber cloth, then rinse well
Run the louvers through a full open/close cycle each month to keep seals and pivots free
Clear leaves and debris from the top of the louvers, especially after storms
Avoid
Pressure-wash up close or use a high-pressure jet on seals and joints
Use abrasive pads, solvents, acetone or harsh degreasers on the powder coat
Operate louvers that are frozen or loaded with debris
Gutters, Drainage & Downspouts
Louvered roofs channel rain into hidden gutters inside the beams and down through the posts. Most leak complaints come from a blocked gutter, not the roof itself.
Do
Check gutters and outlets at least quarterly — monthly under trees
Flush each gutter with a hose and confirm water exits freely at the post base
Keep the ground outlet and any drain grates clear of mulch, soil and leaves
Look for overflowing water during a heavy rain — it's the fastest way to spot a clog
Avoid
Let leaves sit in gutters through the fall and winter
Seal or caulk over drain openings or weep holes
Ignore water dripping at beam joints — call us to check alignment
Retractable Fabric Roofs & Awnings
PVC and acrylic fabrics are built for outdoor life, but dirt and moisture left on them lead to stains and mildew.
Do
Brush off loose dirt and leaves before they stain
Clean with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush; rinse thoroughly
Always let the fabric dry completely before retracting it
Retract the roof during high winds and keep tracks free of debris
Avoid
Use bleach, solvents or stiff brushes on the fabric
Store the fabric wet or folded for long periods
Leave it extended in storms, heavy wind or hail
Motorized Screens & Blinds
Our zip-track screens and blinds roll up into a cassette, so keeping the fabric and side channels clean is what keeps them running smoothly.
Do
Vacuum or soft-brush the screen fabric, then wipe with mild soapy water
Wipe the side tracks and bottom bar and remove any debris from the tracks
Keep furniture, planters and cords out of the bottom bar's path
Let screens dry fully before rolling them up
Avoid
Lower screens into an obstruction or force them by hand
Leave screens down in high winds unless your system is rated for it
Spray lubricants into the zipper tracks
Glass Enclosures & Sliding Doors
Clean glass and clear tracks keep panels gliding easily and seals tight against wind and rain.
Do
Clean glass with a streak-free glass cleaner or diluted vinegar and a squeegee
Vacuum and brush out the bottom tracks every month
Wipe rubber seals and brushes with a damp cloth
Apply a silicone-based spray to tracks and rollers a few times a year
Avoid
Use oil or grease on tracks — it collects grit
Use razor blades or abrasive pads on coated glass
Force a panel that drags; it usually means debris in the track
Motors, Remotes & Sensors
Motors are sealed and maintenance-free, but the controls around them need occasional attention.
Do
Replace remote and sensor batteries once a year
Keep wind, rain and sun sensors clean and unobstructed
Test every motor, light and sensor at the start of each season
Keep the control box and receiver dry and accessible
Avoid
Open motor housings or adjust limit settings yourself
Run motors continuously back-and-forth — they have thermal protection and will pause
Power-wash near motors, receivers or wiring
LED Lighting & Infrared Heaters
Integrated LED strips and electric heaters need very little care, just a gentle clean while switched off.
Do
Switch off power and let heaters cool completely before cleaning
Wipe LED diffusers and heater housings with a soft, damp cloth
Blow or brush dust and cobwebs from heater reflectors
Check that lights and heaters respond to every control and zone
Avoid
Spray water directly on a hot heater element
Use chemical cleaners on reflectors or LED lenses
Touch quartz heater elements with bare hands
Outdoor Furniture, Cushions & Rugs
A quick routine keeps furniture, cushions and rugs looking new season after season.
Do
Wash aluminum and rope frames with mild soap and water; rinse and air dry
Brush cushions often; spot-clean spills right away with mild soap
Stand cushions on edge after rain so they drain and dry
Shake or hose off outdoor rugs and dry them flat before laying them back
Avoid
Leave wet cushions lying flat or stored in plastic
Use bleach on cushion fabric unless the label allows it
Drag heavy furniture across the floor or rugs
Cleaning products
What's safe to use and what isn't
Safe to use
Mild, pH-neutral dish soap in lukewarm water
Soft brushes, sponges and microfiber cloths
Garden hose on a gentle spray
Streak-free glass cleaner, or water with a little white vinegar
Silicone spray for door tracks and rollers
Shop vacuum for tracks and gutters
Avoid
Bleach, chlorine or ammonia on fabric and powder coat
Solvents, acetone, paint thinner and harsh degreasers
Abrasive pads, steel wool and scouring powders
High-pressure jets close to seals, motors and wiring
Oil or grease on tracks (it attracts grit)
Cleaning in direct midday sun (soap dries and streaks)
Seasonal checklist
Season by season
Tick items off as you go. Houston's storm season, heavy fall leaves and occasional freezes each need a little extra attention.
Wake-up
Spring
Storm season
Summer
Leaf season
Fall
Freeze care
Winter
When to call us
Signs your system needs service
Grinding or clicking motorsor a motor that runs but doesn't move.
Louvers not closing evenlyor light gaps when fully closed.
Water drippingfrom beams or joints after you've cleared the gutters.
Screen out of its trackor a fabric edge that has pulled free.
Remote or sensors not respondingafter you've replaced the batteries.
Chips, scratches or corrosionin the finish, or tears in the fabric.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a pressure washer on my pergola?
Use a regular garden hose whenever you can. If you use a pressure washer, keep it on a low setting with a wide fan tip, stay at least 3 feet away, and never aim it at seals, joints, motors or electrical parts. High pressure can force water past seals and damage the powder coat.
What cleaner should I use?
Mild, pH-neutral dish soap in lukewarm water works for almost everything — aluminum, fabric, screens and furniture. For glass, a streak-free glass cleaner or water with a little white vinegar. Always rinse with clean water afterward.
My louvered roof is leaking. What should I check first?
Check the gutters and the outlet at the base of the posts. Leaves and debris in the hidden gutters are the most common cause. Flush them with a hose during dry weather. If water still drips at beams or joints, contact us so we can check alignment and seals.
Can I open or close the louvers when it's freezing?
No. If the louvers are covered in ice or snow, leave them closed and let everything melt naturally before you run the motor. Forcing frozen louvers can strain the motor and damage the seals.
When should I retract fabric roofs and screens?
Retract them during high winds, storms and hail, and whenever a weather alert is issued. Always let the fabric dry before you leave it retracted for long.
My screen or blind stopped partway. What do I do?
Stop and check for obstructions in the bottom bar's path or debris in the side tracks. Don't force it by hand. If the screen has slipped out of its zipper track or the motor won't respond, call us and we'll reset it.
How often should a professional service my system?
We recommend a yearly check-up, plus a visit any time you notice grinding noises, louvers not closing evenly, leaks, a screen out of track, or controls acting up.
Is coastal or poolside maintenance different?
Yes. Salt air and pool chemicals settle on surfaces faster, so rinse aluminum, hardware and screens with fresh water more often, ideally every couple of weeks.
Let us handle the check-up
Our team can inspect, clean, adjust and service your pergola, louvered roof, screens and enclosure, so everything keeps running smoothly season after season.
