Building facade cleaning
A facade is the first thing anyone sees of a building and the first thing the weather attacks. Dust, algae, moss, pollution and salt off the bay dull the look of it and, left long enough, work into the surface. A proper clean brings back the appearance and protects the material underneath.
We clean facades by rope access, which lets a technician reach the parts of a building scaffolding cannot. We work brick, cladding, render, stone, glass, metal and concrete, and match the method to the surface:
Method | How it works | Best for |
Soft washing | Low-pressure water (150 to 300 PSI) with a biodegradable cleaner that breaks down dirt, mould and algae. | Render, painted surfaces, timber and thin cladding. |
Pressure washing | High-pressure water (1,300 to 2,800 PSI) to shift built-up dirt, moss and mould. | Hard surfaces: concrete, brick, stone and paving. |
Chemical cleaning | Cleaners, usually eco-friendly, to dissolve stubborn stains, oil, paint and pollution. | Graffiti, deep-seated dirt and tired paintwork. |
Rope access | Technicians descend the face on ropes off certified anchors. | High-rise facades and hard-to-reach detailing. |
Pure water | Purified, deionised water with water-fed poles, so no mineral residue and no streaks. | Glass facades and windows. |
Safety, compliance and Melbourne weather
High-access facade work is high-risk, so it runs to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and its regulations. Our technicians are IRATA/ARAA certified. A risk assessment is done before every job, and a Safe Work Method Statement is written whenever there is a fall risk over two metres. Harnesses, ropes and anchors are certified and inspected. We carry $20 million Public Liability Insurance.
Melbourne wind can make height work unsafe, so a job gets rescheduled when it does. Cleaning run-off is contained and kept out of stormwater drains, and we favour eco-friendly products. Soft washing alone uses up to 70% less water than a hard wash.
What it costs
Each facade is quoted on the building. A clean typically starts from $500 and runs to $1,850 and up. The price moves on:
- The height and how access is rigged.
- The scope and materials, from a routine clean to inspection, caulking or abseil painting.
- The condition and surface, since heavy staining or graffiti needs chemical treatment and the material sets the safe method.
- Scheduling, since after-hours work keeps disruption down.
Send us the building address and the height, and we will quote the facade clean.
Frequently asked questions
What methods clean commercial high-rise facades in Melbourne?
High-rise buildings use industrial rope access, or abseiling, to reach tight areas and complex building designs. Cleaning methods match the facade material. Soft washing cleans delicate surfaces like painted exteriors and render. Pressure washing cleans hard surfaces like concrete and brick. Specialised chemical cleaning removes stubborn stains and air pollution. Water-fed systems using purified water deliver a streak-free finish on exterior glass panels.
How often should a Melbourne building facade be cleaned?
Cleaning frequency depends on building location and environmental exposure. Properties near busy roads, factories or construction sites collect dirt fast and need more frequent visits. General facade maintenance is recommended every 12–18 months. Coastal properties or sites with high mould, algae and salt deposits often need cleaning every six months to prevent surface damage.
Is high-pressure cleaning safe for all building facades?
No. High-pressure cleaning at 1,300–2,800 PSI can damage sensitive surfaces like paint, stucco or old brickwork. Soft washing offers a safe alternative for delicate materials. This method applies low pressure at 150–300 PSI together with biodegradable chemical solutions to dissolve dirt and biological growth. Technicians assess the building material first to select the safest cleaning technique for the surface.
What safety rules apply to Melbourne facade cleaning?
High-access facade cleaning in Victoria must follow the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and OHS Regulations 2017. Technicians hold IRATA or ARAA rope access qualifications. High-risk tasks require a Safe Work Method Statement, known as a SWMS, detailing hazards and control measures. Work site setups must also handle wastewater containment and disposal using eco-friendly agents to keep runoff out of local stormwater drains.
What facade maintenance can be done using rope access?
Rope access technicians carry out several facade maintenance tasks alongside cleaning. Work includes facade repairs for weather damage and wear, abseiling painting at heights, and caulking and sealing to stop water ingress and improve energy performance. Technicians also handle the installation and certification of height safety anchor points to support future access requirements.
WHY US
What you get with every job
IRATA/ARAA-certified technicians on every job, with rescue and work-positioning competencies.
Rope access means no structure on the ground, no permits for hoardings and no closed footpaths.
Public Liability cover and WorkCover for every employee - details supplied with the quote.
You get a documented scope, a Safe Work Method Statement and a photo report on completion.
Our crews have worked on ropes since 2013, with more than 100 years of combined experience across the team - and every job runs to written contract terms.
What affects the price of building facade cleaning
Every building is quoted after we have seen it. These are the factors that move the number up or down - ask us about any of them and we will explain how they apply to your site.
| Height and access method | Rope access, elevated work platform or suspended platform - the method is chosen for the building, and it sets the crew size and setup time. |
| Surface area and condition | Heavy soiling, salt, traffic film or construction residue take longer and need specialised products. |
| Facade complexity | Recesses, angled or domed glazing, tight gaps between buildings and heritage detailing all slow the descent down. |
| Access and anchor points | Buildings with certified anchor points are quicker to set up. If there are none, temporary systems or installation are quoted separately. |
| Scheduling | Work outside trading hours, staged access or occupied tenancies affect the programme. Regular maintenance cycles are cheaper per visit than one-off jobs. |
Quotes are free and carry no obligation. Where the work is subject to a compliance requirement, the quote states which standard it is carried out to.
Suburbs we cover
We work across greater Melbourne - from CBD towers to bayside and outer-suburban sites. If your suburb is not on the list, ask anyway: our crews travel across the metropolitan area and regularly work in regional Victoria.
Aberfeldie · Airport West · Armadale · Balaclava · Balwyn · Beaumaris · Bentleigh · Bentleigh East · Blairgowrie · Brighton · Brighton East · Brunswick · Carnegie · Caroline Springs · Caulfield · Caulfield North · Caulfield South · CBD · Chadstone · Coburg · Dandenong · Daylesford · Eltham · Elwood · Essendon · Footscray · Frankston · Gardenvale · Gisborne · Glenbervie · Glen Iris · Glenroy · Greenvale · Hampton · Heidelberg · Hillside · Ivanhoe · Keilor · Kew · Lilydale · Lower Plenty · Malvern · Malvern East · Maribyrnong · Melton · Moonee Ponds · Northcote · Oakleigh · Oak Park · Officer · Ormond · Parkville · Pascoe Vale · Port Melbourne · Prahran · Preston · Reservoir · Rye · St Kilda · St Kilda East · Strathmore · Sunbury · Sunshine · Taylors Hill · Toorak · Tarneit · Wantirna · Werribee · Williamstown
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