Balcony & Lanai Cleaning
Hyde Park at Pelican Bay

Hyde Park is a group of four condominium buildings in south-central Pelican Bay, across from the Commons and the tennis center near Gulf Park Drive. Three are five-floor mid-rises and one is a low-rise. The buildings date from the 1980s, and listings describe concrete block and stucco construction, a common elevator and lanais that look out over a lake, gardens and the Pelican Bay golf course. Some lanais are listed as open porches. Others may have been screened or enclosed by owners over the years. Lake- and golf-facing balconies stay damp longer and grow green algae on shaded floors and ceilings.

Old concrete absorbs stains. Concrete and stucco from the early 1980s are more porous than modern finishes. On a lanai floor or a balcony edge, dirt and mildew do not just sit on top; they work into the surface. The first cleaning after a long gap often takes a second application to bring the color back evenly. We start low and gentle, see how the surface responds, and only then decide how much more is needed.

Reclaimed irrigation and orange stains. Listings for Hyde Park show the property is irrigated with reclaimed water. Reclaimed water often carries iron and other minerals, and when sprinklers hit walls, walkways or low balconies, they leave orange-brown streaks that ordinary cleaners do not touch. On ground-floor and low-rise lanais the overspray can reach screens, floors and furniture. These stains need a rust and mineral treatment made for the job, applied carefully so it stays off glass and nearby plants. Rust is a mineral stain, so it needs a dedicated treatment rather than more pressure.

Rust trails under rails. Balcony railings and their fasteners on buildings this age often start to rust where water sits. That rust runs down the balcony edge in thin orange lines, and on the floor below a rail post it shows as a ring. We lift these with a rust treatment, rinse thoroughly, and note any post or fastener that looks loose or heavily corroded so the association can have it looked at. Cleaning hides nothing; if a rail is failing, the board should know.

Drip lines on balcony edges. The dark vertical marks under the edge of each balcony slab come from rain running off the floor and carrying dirt, algae and minerals with it. They are part of the building exterior and are usually an association item. When the board schedules a building wash, we treat these edges floor by floor so the whole elevation comes out even. A small area is tested so the board sees the result before approving the full building.

Owner lanais, cleaned by hand. Inside your own lanai, we clean the floor, walls, ceiling, light fixture, fan and any screen or frame by hand and at low pressure. On upper floors, we use very little water and wipe the edge so nothing runs onto the lanai or carport below. If your lanai has carpet, tile or a coating that has seen better days, we tell you what we see and test a small area first.

Aluminum that has gone chalky. Where owners have screened their lanais or where aluminum rails remain, the painted finish on older metal often turns powdery. Plain washing leaves it dull. An oxidation treatment removes the loose layer and brings back much of the color, and we show you a test section before doing the whole frame.

The heated pool and whirlpool. Hyde Park residents share a heated pool, a deck and a whirlpool. Sunscreen, body oils and algae build up on the deck, especially near the spa, where it stays warm and damp. Slippery decks are a safety concern for older residents and guests. Cleaning the pool area is an association decision, and we quote it for the building, separate from owner lanais. For sealing that deck, see our Hyde Park paver and pool deck page.

Season and leasing. Hyde Park allows two leases a year with a 90-day minimum, so many units change hands between seasonal residents and tenants. A good time to clean an owner lanai is just before you or your tenant arrives in the fall, after the summer rains have done their worst. Association work often fits best in late spring, before owners leave for the summer, or in early fall.

Pricing. An owner lanai or balcony under 800 square feet begins at $249. Larger penthouse and corner lanais begin at $299. Chalky aluminum adds $75 to $150 for oxidation treatment. Balcony edges, the pool deck and the whirlpool area are quoted per building for the association.

Before your visit. Move plants, cushions and anything fragile inside. Let the building manager or the front desk know we are coming. If you are away for the summer, we can arrange access through the manager and send photos when the work is done. Tell us about pets as well, so we can keep the slider closed while we work and nobody slips out onto a wet lanai. Balcony edges and structure are usually common elements, while the lanai inside your unit and your windows are usually yours; your documents decide, and the manager can confirm.