Industrial Facility and Extraction System Exterior Cleaning - AJB Group, Corby (July 2025)

In July 2025, we completed a complex exterior clean at AJB Group’s timber-processing industrial facility in Corby (NN17). We had to clean the extraction tower and related ductwork/pipework, metal cladding across multiple elevations, accessible roof zones, and surrounding hardstanding areas. Our teams pressure-washed all surfaces and treated them with a DDAC anti-algae solution. For access, we combined ladders and telescopic poles.

The project at a glance

• Client: AJB Group
• Location: Corby, Northamptonshire (NN17)
• Date: July 2025
• What did we do: We cleaned the extraction tower and ductwork, pressure-washed the metal cladding, and cleaned the roof area. For the driveway and hardstanding, we also used pressure washing.
• The surfaces we had to clean: Profiled metal cladding, extraction system metalwork, and concrete hardstanding
• Access: We set up ladder access and telescopic poles.
• Treatment we’ve applied: On all cleaned surfaces, we applied DDAC anti-algae treatment.

The Challenge we had to manage

Industrial processing facilities don’t collect contamination the same way standard commercial buildings do. For this project, a layer of grime, dust, and organic matter had built up on the extraction tower and associated pipework/ductwork. Against the metal surfaces, the layer was easy to see, to say the least. Typical weathering was also visible on the cladding across the main building elevations. Everything you’d expect - general soiling, algae streaking, and discolouration - was there, and in shaded areas it was pretty bad.

Working around the extraction system was no easy job, to be honest. Running at various heights and angles, the ductwork created areas that made reaching and cleaning quite challenging. As if the job wasn’t complex enough, we had the height constraints to deal with too. For some sections we used ladder access, while for others we used telescopic pole equipment from the ground. And that’s not all - the facility’s operations had to keep running, so we really had to plan our cleaning around site operations and safety requirements.

Grime, oil staining, and organic growth had also collected on the surrounding driveway and hardstanding areas. With regular vehicle and plant traffic, that’s more than expected.

Our strategy

We needed to find the safest and most effective methods for accessing each area, so we started by examining the site. To access and clean the extraction tower and the higher cladding sections, our teams decided to use ladders and telescopic poles. To minimise disruption to ongoing operations, we agreed work zones with the client. It can’t be done any other way.

Across all accessible elevations, we pressure-washed the metal cladding to get rid of algae, soiling, and weathering. To clean the extraction tower, ductwork, and pipework, we went all in - our team combined direct pressure washing with telescopic reach equipment. It was the best way to cover the whole height and all the angles of the system. Wherever it was safe, we cleaned the accessible roof areas the same way.

We followed the cleaning with a DDAC-based anti-algae solution applied to all surfaces. The treatment prevents organic growth from coming back on the metal cladding and extraction system, and it extends the time between maintenance cleans. On many industrial sites, conditions favour rapid organic regrowth.

Grime, oil staining, and organic growth were also deeply set on the driveway and the surrounding concrete hardstanding. After pressure washing them, we applied the DDAC treatment here too. Organic regrowth on ground-level surfaces is just as unsightly and damaging as it is on the cladding.

The outcome of our cleaning work

• We removed industrial grime and organic growth from the extraction tower and ductwork
• Across all elevations, we restored the appearance of the metal cladding - it looked cleaner and more uniform
• Our teams cleared the accessible roof areas of algae and soiling
• We pressure-washed and treated the driveway and hardstanding areas
• To slow regrowth, we applied DDAC anti-algae treatment across all cleaned surfaces
• We didn’t have to use scaffolding or cherry pickers - we completed all the work with ladders and telescopic poles

The services we’ve provided

• Commercial pressure washing
• Metal cladding cleaning
• Roof cleaning (accessible zones)
• Extraction system and ductwork exterior cleaning
• Driveway and hardstanding pressure washing
• DDAC anti-algae treatment

Related Projects

• Warehouse Cladding Cleaning - AJB Group, Corby (July 2025)

Related Services

• Cladding and Facade Cleaning
• Pressure Washing
• Commercial Exterior Cleaning