Cold frame clean in Teignmouth
Looking for professional cold frame clean help in Teignmouth? Hembury Contracting provides reliable garden help services across Teignmouth and surrounding areas.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
1 hr
Location
Teignmouth
Your cold frame properly cleaned inside and out, algae removed, hinges checked. Glass cleaned so seedlings get maximum light - simple maintenance that makes a real difference to your growing setup.
### Why Clean Your Cold Frame?
**Because dirty glass blocks light.** And light is the whole point of the bloody thing.
A cold frame covered in green algae and grime might protect your seedlings from frost, but it's not giving them the light they need to grow strong. Plus, damp dirty corners are perfect breeding grounds for fungus and pests.
A proper clean makes a massive difference to how well plants grow in there.
> 💡 **Pro tip:** Clean your cold frame twice a year - early spring before main sowing season, and autumn before winter crops. Keeps it functioning properly year-round.
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### What Proper Cleaning Achieves
| ✅ Clean Frame | ❌ Neglected Frame | |---------------|-------------------| | Maximum light getting through glass | Green algae blocking 30-40% of light | | Fresh-smelling interior | Damp, mouldy smell | | Hinges open and close smoothly | Stuck or stiff lid | | No hiding places for pests | Slugs living in corners |
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### What Gets Done
**🧼 The Clean**
| Part | What Happens | |------|--------------| | **Glass/perspex** | Both sides cleaned, algae scrubbed off | | **Frame** | Dirt and cobwebs removed, corners cleared out | | **Hinges** | Checked for rust, lubricated if needed | | **Drainage** | Any blocked drainage holes cleared | | **Interior** | Old compost/leaf litter removed, wiped clean |
**🔧 Quick Repairs Included** - Loose screws tightened - Hinges adjusted - Cracked putty pointed out (easy DIY fix) - Ventilation prop checked/adjusted
**📦 You're Left With** - Sparkling clean glass letting maximum light through - No damp corners harbouring slugs or disease - Properly functioning hinges and ventilation - Peace of mind that it's actually protecting your plants properly
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### Common Problems Found
**Algae on north-facing glass?** Common in Devon's damp climate. Scrubs off easily but needs doing regularly or it blocks serious light.
**Wooden frame going soft?** Rot starts in corners where water collects. Caught early, it can be treated. Left too long, you need a new frame.
**Lid doesn't stay open?** Usually the prop arm's bent or the hinge is stiff. Simple fix.
**Condensation dripping on seedlings?** Sign of poor ventilation or too much moisture inside. I'll check vents are clear and suggest improvements.
**Slugs everywhere?** They hide in damp corners and under the frame. Deep clean removes the hiding spots.
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### Pricing
| Frame Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay | |------------|----------------|------------| | Single standard frame | 1 hr | **£60** | | Large or double frame | 1.5 hrs | **£85** | | Multiple frames | 2-3 hrs | **£110-£160** |
*Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Add time if it's absolutely filthy or needs repair work.*
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### Perfect Timing For This Job
✅ **Early spring** - before sowing season starts
✅ **Autumn** - before winter crops/overwintering plants go in
✅ **After neglect** - just bought the house? Inherited a grotty frame? Start fresh.
✅ **When seedlings aren't thriving** - dirty glass might be limiting their light
Why Choose Us for Cold frame clean in Teignmouth?
Glass cleaned inside and out for maximum light
Algae and debris removed from corners
Hinges and prop checked and lubricated
Any obvious repairs sorted while I'm there
What to Expect
### Step 1: Empty Assessment I look at what state it's in, check for damage, test hinges. If you want it cleaned around existing plants, I work carefully. If it's empty, I can be more thorough. ### Step 2: Deep Clean Glass cleaned inside and out, frame scrubbed, corners cleared, any dead plant material removed. Old soil or compost cleared out if needed. ### Step 3: Check & Adjust Hinges lubricated, ventilation prop tested, any quick repairs done. I'll flag anything major that needs addressing separately.
Our Teignmouth Service Coverage
We cover Teignmouth and a 30-mile radius from Exeter, meaning you get local service with the backing of an established business. Whether you're in the centre of Teignmouth or in the surrounding villages, we're here to help.
Good to Know
> 🌿 **Timing matters:** If your frame's full of seedlings, I can still clean it but I'll need to be careful. Takes a bit longer. Best to book for when it's empty if you can, but I'll work around your growing schedule. **Wooden vs aluminium frames:** Wooden ones need more attention - check for rot annually. Aluminium just needs cleaning. **Victorian houses in Exeter** sometimes have really old cold frames that are actually worth preserving. If yours is original/period, mention it - I'll take extra care. **Greenhouses too?** Same cleaning service works for greenhouses. Pricing depends on size but same approach - glass cleaned, algae removed, frame checked. Got multiple frames or a greenhouse as well? Do them all at once - saves on the call-out and I'm already set up with cleaning kit.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cold frame clean in Teignmouth
What's included in the clean?
Full clean inside and out - glass, frame, corners where dirt builds up. I remove any dead plant material, clean off algae, check hinges work properly, and lubricate if needed. If I spot minor repairs (loose screws, small cracks), I sort them. Major damage gets flagged for a separate quote.
Do I need to empty it first?
Ideally yes - easier to clean properly when it's empty. But if you've got seedlings in there, I can work around them. Just takes a bit longer and I might not be able to get every corner spotless.
Will you use chemicals on the glass?
Just standard cleaning products - nothing harsh. If your cold frame's got seedlings or edibles in it, I'll use plain water and elbow grease only. Your choice.
What if the wood's rotting?
I'll tell you honestly whether it's worth saving. Small bits of rot can be treated. Structural rot means you need a new frame. I'm not going to pretend I can fix something that's actually knackered.
Can you do this in winter?
Yes, but ideally on a dry day. Late winter/early spring is actually the perfect time - gets it ready for spring sowing season. Autumn clean is good too, before winter crops go in.
Get a Free Quote in Teignmouth
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your cold frame clean job in Teignmouth.
01392 964094Request Online QuotePricing for Teignmouth
* Same rates for all locations in our service area
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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