Twice a year, half an hour each: the small routine that keeps blades, drives, drains and fabric working for decades.
The seasonal rhythm
Aluminium structures ask for little, but they do ask on schedule. Book two short sessions: one in spring before the first full opening, one in autumn after leaf fall. Both follow the same checklist — wash, inspect, lubricate, clear the drains — and together they take less time than mowing the lawn once.
Blades and frame
Wash blades with a soft brush and a neutral detergent solution, working in the shade so the surface does not dry streaked. Rinse from the gutter upward to push debris out of the blade gaps rather than into them. Never use abrasive pads or high-pressure lances on powder coating: both create micro-scratches that dirt settles into permanently.
Drains and moving parts
The gutter is where a pergola fails first. Clear the outlet and check that water travels the full channel without pooling; a sagging leaf dam overflow stains the coating below it. On the drive side, listen for a change in sound during a full cycle, keep the blade pivots clear of debris, and let the motor's self-diagnosis run through the app once a season.
Fabric, on retractable roofs
Retractable fabric asks for one extra habit: never roll it away wet. If rain catches the roof open, run a full open-close cycle the next dry morning so the fabric re-tensions evenly and dries in the working position. Clean with a soft brush and mild soap; a re-treatment of the water-repellent coating every few years keeps beading sharp.
When to call service
Between sessions, three symptoms justify a call: a blade that stops mid-cycle, water appearing where it never did, and any new sound from the drive. None of them is urgent, and all of them are cheaper to correct early. Annual service by a trained dealer keeps the warranty terms intact and the roof quiet for its second decade.
