The Top 7 Benefits of Using Drone Wash Services for Difficult Access Areas
If you've ever had to organise cleaning for a multi-storey building, rooftop or industrial structure, you’ll know how complex and costly it can get, especially when access is difficult or involves working at height. While traditional rope access or elevated work platforms are still highly effective in many situations, advancements in drone technology have introduced an innovative solution that’s fast becoming a game-changer in the cleaning industry: drone washing.
Drone wash services use aerial drones equipped with precision nozzles, soft wash technology, and high-pressure systems to clean surfaces of buildings and structures that are considered difficult or dangerous to access.
To show how this approach can make a difference, here are the top seven benefits of incorporating drone wash services into your building maintenance strategy.
1. Safer Than Traditional Access Methods
Drone washing significantly reduces the need for workers to physically access hard-to-reach areas using traditional methods. This eliminates many of the safety risks associated with scaffolding, rope access, boom lifts, or swing stages. By keeping operators on the ground and away from the action, drone cleaning limits exposure to falls and other potential hazards. For asset owners, this also reduces the risk of liability or injury claims on site.
2. Faster Turnaround Times in Cleaning Industry
Drones can cover large vertical and horizontal surfaces quickly, without the need to set up bulky or complex equipment. Whether you're cleaning a multi-storey façade, roof, solar panels, or industrial storage tanks, the speed at which drones operate can drastically reduce project timelines. In some cases, a job that might take days using other methods may be completed in a matter of hours.
3. Cost-Effective Over Time
While the upfront cost of drone wash services might seem comparable to traditional exterior cleaning methods, they often require fewer hours, less equipment, and reduced labour. There are no scaffolding rentals, traffic management setups, prolonged shutdowns, or any other disruptions that typically come with traditional access methods. All of this results in lower total project costs, especially for repeat exterior maintenance schedules.

4. Ideal for Fragile or Delicate Structures
Some surfaces, like historic façades, cladding systems, glass domes, or painted features, can be damaged by manual scrubbing or the weight of access equipment. Drone wash systems can be adjusted for low-pressure soft washing or controlled chemical application. This allows for gentle but effective cleaning without physical contact.
5. Access to Otherwise Inaccessible Areas
One of the biggest advantages of drone building washing is the ability to reach awkward, confined, or vertical locations that are simply too risky or impractical for humans. This includes sloped rooftops, wind turbines, overhangs, signage, cladding, and remote installations. With GPS precision and stabilised flight, wash drones can effortlessly manoeuvre into places where no lift system can go.
6. Minimal Disruption to Operations
Drone cleaning can often be carried out without halting business operations or closing off large sections of a site. Since cleaning drones don't require heavy ground equipment or multiple technicians, they offer a low-footprint solution. This is especially valuable for retail, industrial, or healthcare facilities where access must be discreet and downtime must be avoided or at least reduced to a minimum.
7. Eco-Friendly & Water Efficient Cleaning Solutions
Modern drone wash systems use just the right amount of water and cleaning agents, reducing waste and environmental impact. Many providers offer biodegradable cleaning solutions and water-capture systems to further support sustainability goals. It's a smart option for businesses focused on green practices and compliance with environmental standards as well as eco friendly solutions.
What If Drone Cleaning Services Aren't Enough?
Although drone cleaning offers a highly effective solution for many exterior surfaces, ranging from high-rise windows and building facades to roofing and solar panels, there may be situations where additional attention is required, such as heavy corrosion, deep staining, or areas that need internal access or repair. In these rare cases, our team can step in with physical access solutions.
As the specialists in difficult access building maintenance, Difficult Access Services is fully equipped to carry out inspections, repairs, maintenance and deep cleans across your assets via rope access or abseiling. So even if a drone can’t finish the job alone, we’ve got the people, tools and expertise to get it done.
Ready to Take Advantage of Cutting-Edge Drone Technology?
Get in touch with us today to discuss how our drone wash services can support your building or infrastructure maintenance program. We will assess your site and recommend the best way forward, whether by air, rope, or a bit of both.