Terracotta tiles are beautiful but delicate — pressure washing strips the glaze and permanently damages the surface. Soft washing is the only correct method for terracotta, and we specialise in it.
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Terracotta roof tiles are one of Queensland's most distinctive and popular roofing materials — natural clay tiles fired at high temperatures that provide excellent thermal performance and a classic appearance. They're also among the most misunderstood in terms of cleaning requirements. Terracotta tiles are glazed — they have a fired surface finish that gives them their characteristic look and provides their waterproofing properties. This glaze is permanent and irreplaceable, which means cleaning terracotta incorrectly can cause permanent damage. High-pressure washing strips and etches the glaze surface, permanently changing the tile's appearance and compromising its waterproofing. The only appropriate cleaning method for terracotta roof tiles is soft washing — low pressure with chemical solutions matched specifically to the tile surface.
Terracotta tiles are porous beneath their glaze, which means biological growth — lichen in particular — can penetrate and bond to the tile body through micro-fractures in the glaze. Once established, lichen's rhizines (root structures) attach strongly to the terracotta, creating adhesion that makes removal genuinely challenging. Attempting to scrape or blast lichen off terracotta without chemical pre-treatment typically removes glaze along with the growth.
We begin with a pre-assessment of your terracotta roof to identify the growth types, growth density and any existing damage or vulnerable areas. We then apply a professional grade biocidal solution at very low pressure, matched to terracotta chemistry. Adequate dwell time is given for the solution to penetrate and kill the growth completely. The roof is then rinsed at low pressure — far below what would risk glaze damage.
Long-established lichen on terracotta is one of the most challenging roof cleaning scenarios. The lichen bonds to the terracotta surface with significant adhesion, and in some cases even after the lichen has been killed some visual shadowing or etching may remain where the lichen had penetrated the glaze. We'll give you an honest assessment of expected results before starting.
Terracotta roofs in Queensland typically benefit from cleaning every 12 to 24 months depending on their position. Roofs that are heavily tree-lined, shaded or in coastal positions tend to accumulate growth faster and may benefit from annual maintenance.
No — pressure washing strips the glaze from terracotta tiles, permanently damaging the surface and compromising the tile's waterproofing properties. Soft washing at low pressure is the only appropriate cleaning method.
Chemical soft washing — applying a biocidal solution that kills the lichen and breaks down its adhesion, followed by low-pressure rinsing. Mechanical removal without chemical pre-treatment risks glaze damage.
Some shadowing or etching may be visible where established lichen has been growing for many years — the lichen has penetrated the glaze and left marks that remain after the organism is killed. This typically weathers out over time as the roof is exposed to rain and sun.
Terracotta roof cleaning starts from $799 for a standard single-storey home, with free gutter clean and solar panel clean (up to 20 panels) included. Free quote before any work starts.
Serving Redlands and all of South East Queensland. We reply within 2 hours, Mon–Sat.
0412 291 614