The Complete Guide to Professional Roof Cleaning
Whether you’re preparing your home for family gatherings, welcoming guests, or simply creating a warm and inviting environment, the first sight of a clean, well-maintained roof sets the tone. This guide helps you understand how to maintain your roof’s appearance and longevity with expert cleaning tailored to your home and lifestyle.
1. Cleaning vs. Painting a Roof
Many homeowners consider painting their roof when they notice it is covered in mould and lichen, or when it starts to look tired or patchy—but painting isn’t always the best solution. In most cases, a professional clean will dramatically restore the appearance of your roof without the cost, disruption, or long-term maintenance that comes with painting.
The Cost Comparison
Painting a roof can cost several times more than cleaning, depending on the size, material, and preparation involved. A professional clean not only costs less—it also addresses the underlying causes of the unsightly appearance by removing built-up grime, mould, lichen, and stains that dull your roof’s natural finish.
That said, the quality of both cleaning and painting services can vary significantly. Lower-cost providers may cut corners or use inappropriate methods, resulting in subpar results and potential long-term damage. As with most home services, choosing an experienced, reputable provider ensures your investment delivers lasting results.
Appearance and Longevity
Cleaning reveals the original surface of the roof—whether that’s Colorbond sheeting or tiles. Painting, on the other hand, covers the surface with a coating that will inevitably fade or peel over time, especially under Australia’s strong sun and heavy rain.
Once painted, a roof typically needs to be repainted every 5 to 7 years to maintain its finish and appearance. Unlike cleaning, which removes the problem, painting conceals it temporarily. As the coating deteriorates, it becomes more obvious that the surface is “painted,” and touch-ups are rarely enough to restore uniformity.
What Happens Long-Term?
Once a roof is painted, the only way to avoid expensive and ongoing repainting cycles is to replace the roof entirely—a considerably more expensive and disruptive project. Cleaning, by contrast, preserves the original material and restores the original look of the roof.
When is Painting Appropriate?
There are situations where painting may be appropriate—for example, if your concrete tiles are heavily weathered and the original colour has broken down, or if you’re looking to modernise an outdated tone as part of a larger renovation. In those cases, painting is a cosmetic decision, not a cleaning alternative.
2. How often should you clean your roof?
Typical roof cleaning cycles range between 8 and 12 years depending on your roof’s colour, surface type, and local environment.
For instance, lighter Colorbond colours such as Surfmist tend to attract more lichen and mould because their lower surface temperature encourages growth. This means they may require cleaning more frequently than darker roofs.
Roofs in leafy suburbs, especially those surrounded by eucalyptus trees, often need more regular attention. Gum trees drop sap, oils and flowering structures that can stain roofing surfaces, while leaf litter and bark collect in valleys and gutters, holding moisture that leads to rust and promoting the spread of insect pests like German cockroaches. In these areas, both roof and gutter cleaning could be part of a more frequent maintenance cycle.
Dusty environments can also speed up organic residues. Dust settles across the roof, especially in the outer edges of tile courses, where it traps moisture and encourages moss and mould growth. Over time, this leads to staining, dirt and mould streaks.
3. Pressure Cleaning vs. Soft Washing
Not all roof cleaning methods are created equal—and when it comes to maintaining the long-term appearance and condition of your roof, the difference between pressure cleaning and soft washing is critical.
At Hunter Pressure Cleaning, we do not pressure clean roofs—and for good reason.
Why Pressure Cleaning Is a Problem
Pressure cleaning blasts the surface with high-pressure water, which can:
- Damage the surface finish—stripping paint and colour from Colorbond or cement tiles, or glaze from terracotta tiles, or forcing water into unwanted areas, risking leaks and long term water damage.
- Cause visible uneven marks or striping, especially on Colorbond roofs, by disrupting the factory finish.
- Spread mould, lichen, and algae spores rather than removing them, accelerating regrowth.
- Serve only as a preparation step before painting, not as a maintenance clean.
Exposing your roof to pressure cleaning without painting causes unnecessary surface damage and often accelerates the need for repainting.
Why Soft Washing Is the Right Approach
Soft washing uses low-pressure water combined with professional-grade treatments to kill and remove organic growth at its roots. It:
- Preserves the existing roof surface and colour
- Eliminates spores and biofilm for longer-lasting results
- Removes the cause, not just the symptoms, of roof discolouration
For homeowners who want a proper clean without damaging their roof, soft washing is the safest, most effective choice. This is the only roof cleaning method Hunter Pressure Cleaning offers.
4. Cleaning Different Roof Types
Professional roof cleaning requires understanding the characteristics of various roofing materials to tailor the approach for best results.
Colorbond
A popular metal roof coated to resist corrosion and provide colour finish.
Cleaning Notes: Soft washing preserves the factory finish. Avoid pressure cleaning to prevent damage or uneven marks.
Zincalume
Terracotta Tiles (Glazed or Matt/Unglazed)
Concrete Tiles
Slate
A soft, delicate natural stone.
Cautions: Requires professional handling and elevated work platforms to avoid walking on and damaging fragile shingles.
Alsynite (Fiber Reinforced Polyester)
Clear plastic sheeting used for roofing.
Cautions: Can be punctured or cracked by pressure cleaning jets. Soft washing is the only safe cleaning method.
Polycarbonate Roof Sheeting
Clear or translucent roofing sheets.
Cleaning Notes: Requires gentle soft washing to avoid scratching or damage.
5. Additional Points to Consider
Lichen Removal Takes Time: Lichen can take weeks or months to fully break down after treatment, depending on local weather conditions. Patience is key.
Water Management: To protect water tanks and ponds, water runoff during cleaning is diverted away from these sources to prevent contamination from cleaning agents or residues.
Whirly Birds and Colourbond Roofs: Installing a whirly bird (roof cavity ventilation) on Colourbond roofs can significantly reduce mould growth, especially along the ridge capping. Improved airflow helps keep the roof dry, limiting conditions that encourage organic growth and extending the time between cleanings.
6. What to expect when you choose Hunter Pressure Cleaning
Conclusion: A roof that elevates your entire home
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Hunter Pressure Cleaning are expert solar panel cleaners.
Keep your panels working at peak capacity by ensuring they are free of dust, droppings and lichen. Lichen growth on panels can lead to “hot spots” that can damage or destroy the panel.
Clerestory Window Cleaning
Clerestory windows are gorgeous and bring warmth and light to your home. Let me take the hassle out of maintaining your windows by cleaning them when I am up there!
Fill in the quote request to begin your journey to a beautifully clean home! You will wish you had done it sooner.
Gutter Cleaning
Hunter Pressure Cleaning provides a prompt, safe and insured gutter cleaning service.
We remove leaf litter, debris and plants from gutters and valley pans, and when finished will complete a visual check for any problems and inform you with photographs.
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Hunter Pressure Cleaning
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