Most roofs that look aged and discoloured are actually clean underneath — the grime is biological growth sitting on top. A professional soft wash can make a 20-year-old roof look almost new. Free quotes across SEQ.
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One of the most common things we hear from homeowners is that they think their roof is just old and needs replacing — when in reality what they're seeing is years of biological growth that's accumulated on the surface. Algae, lichen, moss and general grime from Queensland's subtropical climate dramatically changes the appearance of a roof, making it look darker, older and more weathered than it actually is. We've cleaned roofs that owners thought were at end of life and revealed a structurally sound roof underneath that simply hadn't been cleaned in 10 or 15 years. A professional roof clean is significantly cheaper than a roof restoration or replacement — and in many cases delivers a result that looks nearly as dramatic. If you're wondering whether your roof needs cleaning or replacing, get a clean quoted first.
The primary culprits are Gloeocapsa magma algae (black streaking), moss and lichen (green-grey patching), general dirt and pollution build-up, and the weathering of the top layer of cement tiles over time. Of these, biological growth is by far the most significant factor in how old a roof looks — and it's fully removable with the right treatment.
A roof clean removes biological growth and surface grime. A roof restoration (painting and recoating) addresses underlying surface damage, cracking, repointing and fading that goes beyond cleaning. Before committing to a restoration, it's worth getting a clean done first — many homeowners discover the roof looks excellent after a clean and restoration is unnecessary. A clean costs a fraction of a restoration.
Before and after photos from our jobs tell the story better than words — the transformation on a heavily soiled roof can be dramatic. A dark, mottled-looking roof cleaned back to its original tile colour is one of the most satisfying results in exterior cleaning. We photograph every job before and after.
If tiles are cracked, broken, or the pointing along ridge caps has failed, those are issues a clean won't fix — and we'll tell you honestly when we quote. But if the roof structure is sound and the problem is purely surface soiling and biological growth, a clean is all you need.
In most cases yes — particularly if the roof structure is sound and the issue is biological growth and surface soiling rather than underlying tile damage. Before/after results on heavily soiled roofs can be dramatic.
A roof clean typically costs $799 to $1,500 depending on size. A roof restoration (cleaning, repointing and painting) typically costs $3,000 to $8,000+. Getting a clean done first is a worthwhile first step — many roofs that look like they need restoration just need a thorough clean.
Soft wash results typically last 12 to 24 months. Shaded roofs, coastal properties and heavily tree-lined positions may need cleaning every 12 months. Open, sun-exposed roofs can go 18 to 24 months.
Get a clean quoted first. If tiles are intact, pointing is sound and there are no leaks, the roof almost certainly just needs cleaning. We'll give you an honest assessment when we quote.
Serving Redlands and all of South East Queensland. We reply within 2 hours, Mon–Sat.
0412 291 614