Slide 01 of 05 · Building facade

Built for walls, designed for ground crews.

HoverWash HW-150 cleans curtain walls, glass towers, and metal cladding while the operator stays on the sidewalk. The aircraft, boom, tethered water system, and flight planner work as one workflow.

1000
m²/h
Light cleaning rate
35
MPa
Peak pressure
100
m
Tethered hose
0
crew
People at height
HoverWash drone cleaning a high rise building facade
HoverWash HW-150
Building facade
High rise curtain wall, ground based crew.
Tethered water · 100 m hose1000 m² per hour light cleaning0 crew at height
Product system

Start with the real HoverWash product.

Pricing, availability, and the product detail link connect directly to the Saleor storefront so the record is always live.

State of the industry

Manual high altitude cleaning is too slow and too exposed.

Traditional facade and infrastructure cleaning still depends on rope access, cradles, lifts, and scaffolding. HoverWash moves the risk profile back to the ground while keeping pressure, coverage, and inspection control in the operator workflow.

Traditional workers suspended at height for facade cleaning
Today
Ropes, buckets, and weather delays create operational risk.
HoverWash drone cleaning a curtain wall facade
HoverWash
One ground based operator cleans the wall while the crew stays below.
By the numbers

Throughput that helps replace a rope access crew.

The HW-150 combines aerial pressure, tethered water supply, route planning, and repeatable standoff control for faster cleaning cycles.

17m²/min

Cleaning speed

The drone sustains high coverage while hovering, which helps replace slow rope access passes.

30MPa

Rated pressure

The system removes mold, biological growth, and industrial dust with consistent force.

2–3m

Standoff distance

Real time ranging keeps the airframe at a repeatable working distance from the surface.

12m/s

Wind tolerance

The airframe is rated for sustained operation in wind that grounds most camera drones.

55min

PV flight time

The 14S 41,000 mAh battery supports long solar array missions with hot swap continuity.

0crew

People at height

The pilot remains on the ground, which removes the biggest exposure in high altitude washing.

Modular payload

One drone. Four nozzle patterns for different surfaces.

Tool free quick swap nozzles let operators move from precision stain work to broad detergent rinse without changing the airframe.

Spray pattern reference
Four angles · one boom · tool free swap
Pinpoint jet nozzle spray pattern for HoverWash HW-150
Pinpoint jet

Crevices, stubborn stains, and joint cleaning.

Tight fan nozzle spray pattern for HoverWash HW-150
15°
Tight fan

Rapid stain rinse and concentrated impact.

Wide fan nozzle spray pattern for HoverWash HW-150
25°
Wide fan

Sand, soil, and accumulated dust.

Sweep fan nozzle spray pattern for HoverWash HW-150
40°
Sweep fan

Large area detergent rinse and finish passes.

HoverWash fixed spray boom mount
Mount A

Fixed boom

A rigid 1,500 mm spray pipe extends the nozzle clear of the airframe. It is stable and suited to vertical facades, photovoltaic arrays, and sustained high pressure passes.

Boom length1,500 mm
Nozzle behaviorStatic
Best fitFacades, PV, insulators
HoverWash drone oscillating spray head
Mount B

Oscillating head

A powered 45 degree swing head sweeps the spray pattern across heavier soil. Adjustable swing speed helps match the pass to the surface and contamination level.

Swing range45 degrees
Speed controlVariable by RC
Best fitHeavy soil, curtain wall
Flight intelligence

The aircraft handles the repeatable flying so the operator can manage the result.

Route planning, RTK positioning, and obstacle awareness make the washing workflow more repeatable across tall and irregular surfaces.

AI assisted mapping

The operator sets reference points, selects a route pattern, and lets the system generate the cleaning path.

Auto routing

The drone flies planned sweeps while the pilot supervises the mission and handles exceptions.

Centimeter level positioning

Dual RTK helps preserve line spacing and standoff distance across the full surface.

Radar obstacle awareness

Forward sensing helps detect brackets, cables, facade protrusions, and other hazards.

Safety architecture

Three systems help keep people on the ground.

The cleaning mission is built around remote operation, positioning precision, and real time sensing so teams can avoid exposure at height.

Remote only operation

The pilot controls and supervises the mission from the ground.

Dual RTK positioning

The drone holds repeatable position and heading while moving along the wall.

Radar obstacle awareness

The sensing stack helps identify protrusions and cables before contact.

Application scenarios

Useful anywhere a crew should not have to climb.

The same tethered washing platform can serve property managers, solar operators, utilities, municipalities, and industrial facilities.

Building facades cleaned by HoverWash HW-150
Scenario 01

Building facades

Curtain walls, glass towers, and metal cladding can be cleaned from the ground.

Solar arrays cleaned by HoverWash HW-150
Scenario 02

Solar arrays

Rooftop, ground mount, and floating photovoltaic systems benefit from fast repeatable passes.

Wind turbines cleaned by HoverWash HW-150
Scenario 03

Wind turbines

Blade and tower cleaning can be staged without sending rope teams into a long setup window.

Grid and insulators cleaned by HoverWash HW-150
Scenario 04

Grid and insulators

Transmission infrastructure can be cleaned while crews remain away from climbing hazards.

Highway signage cleaned by HoverWash HW-150
Scenario 05

Highway signage

Overhead signs and gantries can be maintained with fewer lane closure requirements.

Field deployments

Built for real surfaces, not only clean demo panels.

These visuals show facade, glass, cladding, and tower cleaning contexts that match the surfaces buyers are asking about.

Mixed facade HoverWash field deployment
Mixed facade
High pressure stain removal in progress
Curtain wall HoverWash field deployment
Curtain wall
Mid rise glass facade restoration
Metal cladding HoverWash field deployment
Metal cladding
Faceted architecture with complex geometry
Window bays HoverWash field deployment
Window bays
Precision cleaning at controlled standoff
Office tower HoverWash field deployment
Office tower
Industrial zone dust removal
Vertical slats HoverWash field deployment
Vertical slats
Complex profile with full coverage
HoverWash vs traditional

Six dimensions that change when you go aerial.

Drone based pressure washing removes the constraints that make high altitude cleaning slow, expensive, and risky.

Category
HoverWash
Traditional
Safety
The pilot operates from the ground with zero crew at height.
Rope access and cradle work expose crews to fall and rigging hazards.
Throughput
The system sustains up to 17 m² per minute with tethered water.
Manual coverage is slow and uneven on large surfaces.
Cleaning force
The drone provides 30 MPa rated pressure and 35 MPa peak.
Handheld force is difficult to keep consistent at height.
Setup time
Tool free deployment targets around one minute.
Scaffolding, rope anchoring, and cradles often require hours.
Geometry coverage
Two mounts and four nozzles cover irregular surfaces.
Manual access is limited by anchor points, lifts, and reach.
Weather window
Rated for wind up to 12 m/s and temperatures from -10 C to 40 C.
Traditional work often stands down for wind, rain, and low visibility.
Technical specifications

Full spec sheet.

HoverWash HW-150 key performance and operational parameters.

Spray flow rate15 L/min
Rated pressure30 MPa
Peak pressure35 MPa instant
Hose length100 m
Spray pipe1500 mm
Standoff2 to 3 m
Light cleaning1000 m²/h
Deep cleaning500 m²/h
Battery14S 41,000 mAh
Charge time40 min
Flight time on facade45 min
Flight time on PV55 min
Flight time on wind30 min
Max speed15 m/s
Max wind12 m/s
Operating temperature-10 C to 40 C
Operating humidity0 to 90% RH
Max takeoff weight24.9 kg
SkyFlow advantages

More than equipment delivery.

SkyFlow supports planning, training, and ongoing optimization so your team gets productive results from day one.

Engineering-led deployment

SkyFlow supports planning, execution, and optimization, not just equipment delivery.

Job-ready workflows

Site assessment, safety planning, and operational checklists for repeatable results.

Enterprise-grade support

Platform selection and configuration for height, reach, and cleaning performance.

Training and onboarding

Practical operation guidance and best-practice procedures for in-house capability.

One-stop ecosystem

From service delivery to enterprise drone procurement through SkyFlow's store.

Multi-industry experience

20+ use case categories across building, energy, infrastructure, and industrial sectors.

Choose the aircraft around the building.

HoverWash 150 prioritizes height and production on large open surfaces. HoverWash 3 prioritizes sensing, software control and access around complicated architecture. Neither is the universal answer—the site decides.

SkyFlow HoverWash 150 dedicated aerial cleaning droneViewing now

SkyFlow HoverWash 150

Choose height and production capacity.

400–450 ft
Configured reach · extended hose

Tall, broad and comparatively open surfaces where reach, flow and area-per-hour matter most.

  • Dedicated cleaning aircraft for high-rise facade, tower and large-area work
  • 15 L/min spray flow with 30 MPa rated pressure in the supplied brochure
  • Up to 1,000 m²/h light cleaning or 500 m²/h deep cleaning
  • Fixed or oscillating mount with four nozzle angles
Explore SkyFlow HoverWash 150
DJI Matrice 400 operating with the HoverWash 3 cleaning system

HoverWash 3 For M400

Choose intelligence and geometric access.

300–350 ft
Configured reach · extended hose

Irregular facades, setbacks, courtyards and mixed cleaning passes where sensing and controller integration matter most.

  • Matrice 400 rotating and upper LiDAR, vision sensing and six-direction mmWave radar
  • Vision positioning is applicable when GNSS is weak or unavailable, within DJI operating limits
  • PSDK control, one-button foam/rinse switching and a repeatable ±30° sweep
  • Fits teams already standardized on the Matrice 400 aircraft and controller workflow
Explore HoverWash 3 For M400
Building pattern
Long, open elevations; towers; solar arrays; wind and grid assets
Recesses, setbacks, courtyards, overhangs and complex facade geometry
Navigation
Dual RTK with radar obstacle sensing and front vision
Omnidirectional vision, rotating and upper LiDAR, infrared ranging and mmWave radar
Cleaning control
Fixed or oscillating mount; four task-specific nozzle angles
DJI PSDK, foam/rinse switching, controlled sweep and supported route tools
Production profile
Higher-flow dedicated platform for large repetitive surfaces
More configurable, precision-led workflow with a smaller airborne module
Ground workflow
Dedicated tethered water-supply operation
200 ft hose included; pair with HoverWash Rig 13 for pump, mixer and hose management
Primary tradeoff
Larger dedicated-aircraft logistics in exchange for reach and higher production capacity
M400 payload and suspended-hose margins constrain practical height; the 1.4 kg module uses the quick-release workflow
Choose HoverWash 150 when

The elevation is tall and repetitive, the operating area is relatively open, and maximizing reach or cleaning output is the primary constraint.

Choose HoverWash 3 when

The architecture is irregular, GNSS may be challenged, the crew already flies M400, or foam/rinse control and repeatable sweep matter more than maximum height.

Pair HoverWash Rig 13 when

HoverWash 3 needs an integrated ground pump, detergent mixer, remote controls and organized hose management.

Planning ranges are configuration targets, not guaranteed legal or performance limits. HoverWash 150’s 400–450 ft and HoverWash 3’s 300–350 ft ranges require a validated hose, pump, weather, water, payload and site plan. DJI rates Matrice 400 for up to 6 kg at the third connector with screw-lock fastening under sea-level conditions, while its quick-release port is rated to 3 kg; payload capacity decreases with altitude. The HoverWash 3 airborne module is approximately 1.4 kg before suspended hose forces are considered. DJI also cautions that vision and obstacle sensing depend on light, texture, reflectivity and obstacle material; transparent glass and low-texture surfaces require additional care. Platform references: DJI Matrice 400 specifications and DJI Matrice 400 user manual.

Commercial planning · HoverWash 150

Turn reach into a defensible business case.

Model the wall, crew and selling rate before choosing a dedicated cleaning aircraft. The calculator separates equipment price from the assumptions that actually drive payback.

Assumption-led planning model · CAD · pre-tax
2,000–4,000
m² / production day

21,528–43,056 ft²/day. Supplier planning range for HoverWash 3; validate with a representative test panel.

500
m² / manual baseline day

5,382 ft²/day, supplied as a comparison baseline—not a Canadian industry universal.

4–8×
calculated throughput multiple

The often-quoted 7–8× result only occurs near 3,500–4,000 m²/day. Geometry, finishing, weather and hose handling can materially reduce output.

Live commercial model

Quote the job. Stress-test the payback.

Change every important assumption. The model uses contribution margin after direct job costs—not gross sales—to estimate production-day payback.

Planning quote
3,716.1 m² · 1.9 production days
$9,500
Contribution / day
$2,812

Quote × contribution margin ÷ estimated production days.

Equipment payback
15.5 days

Production days at the modeled contribution—not calendar days or guaranteed recovery.

Equipment basis
$43,600
Annual contribution
$84,362
Modeled year-one ROI
93.5%
Planning model, not a promise. Results are pre-tax and exclude financing, depreciation, idle calendar time and changes in demand. Equipment prices are the currently configured CAD MSRP inputs; confirm the final quotation. Test the surface, system and approved operating plan before committing production.

Canada benchmark

Know the labour signal. Price the building.

Job Bank wage medians help estimate labour—not the selling price of high-rise work. The daily equivalent below is eight hours and excludes payroll burden, training, high-rise premiums, access gear, supervision, insurance, overhead and profit.

Canadian provincial window-cleaner wage benchmarks
ProvinceMedian / hour8-hour wage equivalentUse in a quote
British Columbia BC$20$160Starting wage input only
Alberta AB$20$160Starting wage input only
Saskatchewan SK$16$128Starting wage input only
Manitoba MB$17$136Starting wage input only
Ontario ON$19$154Starting wage input only
Quebec QC$21$168Starting wage input only
New Brunswick NB$18$140Starting wage input only
Nova Scotia NS$18$144Starting wage input only
Prince Edward Island PE$18$144Starting wage input only
Newfoundland and Labrador NL$17$136Starting wage input only

Major-city view

Vancouver, BC
$21/h · $168/day
Calgary, AB
$20/h · $158/day
Edmonton, AB
$21/h · $168/day
Toronto, ON
$19/h · $154/day
Ottawa, ON
$20/h · $160/day
Montréal, QCprovince proxy
$21/h · $168/day
Winnipeg, MBprovince proxy
$17/h · $136/day
Halifax, NS
$18/h · $144/day

Public market signals—not a rate card

Toronto / GTA

CAD $0.20/ft² appears as a lower-end high-rise discussion benchmark; published local projects are more often priced by pane, access and mobilization.

Best use: Use $0.20/ft² only as a conservative model input, then validate the actual elevation and access plan.

Toronto contractor discussion
Vancouver / Lower Mainland

A local 2026 guide publishes CAD $0.50–$2.50/ft² for broad commercial window-cleaning work; a rope-access guide publishes $2–$4 per pane.

Best use: Treat the spread as evidence that glass type and access dominate the rate—not as a drone-cleaning tariff.

Vancouver market guide
Montréal / Brossard

A local commercial cleaner publishes CAD $15–$25 per window for commercial glass cleaning.

Best use: Convert panes to measured cleanable area before comparing against an area-based drone quote.

Montréal commercial rate card
Calgary / Edmonton / Ottawa / Halifax

Credible public area rates are sparse; providers emphasize height, barriers, timing, surface and written site review.

Best use: Build from production cost and target margin, then compare the finished quote with two local contractor bids.

Calgary quoting guidance

How to quote a wall-cleaning job

Seven decisions before one price.

A defensible quote begins with the building, not a copied price per square foot.

Working formula
Area × validated rate × complexity + mobilization
Then reconcile direct cost, overhead, contingency and profit.
  1. 01

    Measure the cleanable elevation

    Use drawings, a laser measure or a scaled orthomosaic. Record width × height for each façade zone and separate glass, metal, masonry, signage and excluded openings.

  2. 02

    Classify soil and finish standard

    Record dust, salt, algae, grease, mineral staining and construction residue. Define whether the result is a rinse, soft wash, pressure wash or streak-controlled glass finish.

  3. 03

    Survey flight, hose and public interfaces

    Map setbacks, recesses, overheads, airspace, people, traffic, water, drainage, anchoring, hose path and emergency landing areas before choosing the aircraft.

  4. 04

    Select a conservative production band

    For HoverWash 3, model 2,000–4,000 m²/day only after a representative test panel. Use the low end for first cleans, complex geometry, frequent repositioning or detailed glass finishing.

  5. 05

    Build direct cost before markup

    Include flight and ground crew, mobilization, travel, water, power, chemistry, filtration, runoff control, batteries, maintenance, insurance allocation and any permit or airspace coordination.

  6. 06

    Apply complexity and margin

    Multiply the area rate for soil, geometry and access, add a mobilization minimum, then apply overhead and profit. Keep optional lift, rope-access or manual-detailing allowances separate.

  7. 07

    State assumptions and exclusions

    Attach the surface test, weather limits, completion standard, water and power responsibilities, access window, public-control plan, tax and change-order conditions to the quote.

Competitive context

Different machines solve different access problems.

The relevant comparison is not “drone versus drone.” It is working height, wash method, building geometry, deployment model and the operating system around the aircraft.

Lucid Bots Sherpa
Public manufacturer information
Purpose-built cleaning drone

Up to 150 ft, up to 4,500 psi, soft wash and pressure wash; public starting price USD $45,750.

Best comparison question: A mature North American contractor package when 150 ft covers the target building.

Apellix B2
Public manufacturer information
Heavy-lift industrial wash drone

Up to 190 ft with included soft-wash hose, up to 4,000 psi at the pump and 8–10 GPM.

Best comparison question: Heavy industrial spraying and washing where payload and pump output matter more than compact logistics.

KTV Working Drone
Public manufacturer information
Cleaning service and partner network

Filtered water, heat and moderate pressure with proprietary chemistry and a roof safety system.

Best comparison question: A managed façade-maintenance method rather than an equipment-only purchase.

Wisson Orion AP3
Public manufacturer information
Tethered flexible cleaning robot

Pliabot flexible-arm systems positioned for complex curtain-wall geometry and enterprise cleaning projects.

Best comparison question: Specialized contact or non-contact cleaning where a flexible aerial work arm is central to the method.

Skyline Robotics Ozmo
Public manufacturer information
Roof-suspended robotic window cleaner

LiDAR, force sensing and AI path planning; the company positions it at roughly three times human cleaning speed.

Best comparison question: Dedicated high-rise glass programs where roof deployment and contact cleaning fit the building.

Questions buyers actually ask

Finish. Flight. Risk. Economics.

These questions recur in contractor and drone-operator discussions. The answers separate physical limits, regulatory duties and commercial assumptions.

01How much wall can HoverWash 3 clean in one day?

The supplier planning range is 2,000–4,000 m² per production day, equal to about 21,528–43,056 ft². Actual output depends on soil, geometry, hose lift, water delivery, flight interruptions, finishing standard and the approved operating area. Validate the rate on a representative test panel before quoting it as production capacity.

02Is drone façade cleaning really seven to eight times faster than manual cleaning?

Against the supplied 500 m²/day manual baseline, 2,000–4,000 m²/day is mathematically 4–8×. The 7–8× claim applies only near 3,500–4,000 m²/day. It should not be presented as a universal result.

03Can a cleaning drone leave glass streak-free?

It can produce a strong exterior rinse, but streak-free glass depends on water purity, detergent residue, mineral load, soil, temperature, pass pattern and edge detailing. Use deionized or reverse-osmosis water where appropriate and approve a test panel before promising a finish standard.

04Does high pressure damage windows, seals or cladding?

It can if pressure, nozzle, standoff, angle or chemistry are mismatched. Every quote should identify the surface and seal condition, begin with the least aggressive effective method and require a test patch. Pressure at the pump is not the same as pressure delivered at the surface.

05Can HoverWash operate when GPS or GNSS is weak?

Matrice 400 vision positioning can assist when GNSS is weak or unavailable within DJI's published limits. Glass, repetitive textures, low light and operation above the effective vision-positioning range can reduce performance, so GNSS-challenged work still requires a validated site and abort plan.

06Does a parachute make the operation risk-free?

No. A parachute can be one risk-control layer, but it does not make risk zero and does not by itself authorize flight over people. The aircraft configuration, safety assurance, pilot privileges, airspace permission, exclusion zone and operating procedures must all match the mission.

07What insurance should a Canadian drone-cleaning contractor carry?

Discuss aviation-specific third-party liability and hull or equipment coverage with a qualified broker, and confirm whether the commercial general liability policy excludes aviation work. Client contracts may require limits beyond the regulatory minimum. Coverage transfers financial exposure; it does not remove operational risk.

08Can drone cleaning replace rope access, lifts or swing stages on every building?

No. Drones are strongest on accessible exterior planes where a controlled spray can reach the finish. Deep soffits, balconies, screens, bonded debris, interior glass, hand detailing, containment constraints and some public or airspace environments may still require another access method.

09What controls the practical cleaning height?

Aircraft payload, hose mass, water column, fitting losses, pump curve, wind, geometry and the safety plan all matter. A hose length is not a guaranteed working height. HoverWash ranges are configuration targets that require system and site validation.

10How should a contractor price a drone wall-cleaning job?

Measure cleanable area, classify surface and soil, select a validated production rate, calculate direct daily cost, apply geometry and access factors, add mobilization, overhead and profit, then publish assumptions and exclusions. Do not copy a city rate without reconciling it to the actual building.

Research notes · reviewed August 23, 2026

Manufacturer specifications and public pricing can change. Forum and local-provider figures are market signals, not independently audited performance or a recommended tariff. Transport Canada requirements depend on the aircraft, configuration, location and operation.

Build a site-specific quote
Frequently asked questions

Quick answers.

Common questions about drone washing operations, capability, and working with SkyFlow.

How high can a cleaning drone reach?

Current systems reach up to 100 meters via a tethered hose, covering most commercial high rise buildings, towers, and industrial structures.

Is drone cleaning safe for glass surfaces?

Yes. HoverWash uses calibrated water pressure and standoff control designed for glass curtain walls, coated surfaces, and delicate facades without causing damage.

How does drone cleaning compare to scaffolding in cost?

Drone cleaning typically eliminates scaffolding, suspended platforms, and crane rentals, significantly reducing setup time and cost. Exact savings depend on building height and surface area.

Can drones clean solar panels without damaging them?

Yes. HoverWash uses controlled water pressure and sweep patterns specifically designed for photovoltaic panels, restoring energy output safely.

What weather conditions affect drone cleaning?

The HW-150 operates in wind up to 12 m/s and temperatures from -10 C to 40 C. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and very high winds will delay operations for safety.

Does SkyFlow offer cleaning as a service, or only equipment?

Both. SkyFlow can help you deploy cleaning operations as a service or help you select, configure, and learn to operate your own HoverWash system.

Get started

Ready to explore drone cleaning for your facility?

Contact our application engineering team. We will assess your site, recommend the right approach, and build a plan that works for your operations.

Application Engineer: Connor Ren · [email protected]
Location
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada