Pressure cleaning

Keeping the outside of a building clean is not only about how it looks. Grime, mould and salt sit on the surface and work into it, so a regular wash protects the structure as well as the appearance. We are a rope access team and we pressure clean exteriors across Melbourne, from the traffic film near the main roads to the salt that comes off the bay.

We clean concrete and paving such as driveways, paths and car parks, facades and cladding in Colorbond, brick, stone and render, outdoor areas like patios, decks and fences, and hard roof surfaces such as concrete and terracotta tile. We also handle graffiti and gum removal and surface prep before painting.

High pressure or soft wash

Not every surface can take the same force, so we use two methods and choose by the material. Get it wrong and you strip soft stone, crack fragile tile or mark an old coating.

High-pressure washing runs at roughly 1,300 to 2,800 PSI, and concrete driveways often need over 2,500. It is for heavy build-up on hard, durable surfaces, and it has to be handled by someone who knows it, since high pressure can injure a person and damage the surface.

Soft washing runs at 150 to 300 PSI and does most of its work with a biodegradable detergent that kills mould, mildew and algae at the root, and the low-pressure rinse then takes it off. It is the method for render, timber, painted surfaces, thin cladding and Colorbond, where high pressure would do harm. Because it kills the growth rather than blasting it, a soft wash typically stays clean four to six times longer. We run Karcher and similar gear for the pressure and water purification.

Safety and the environment

Pressure equipment brings its own hazards, from electric shock to moving parts and slips, so every job runs to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the WHS Regulations. A risk assessment is done before work, with a JSA or Safe Work Method Statement for anything high-risk, including work at height on facades or roofs. Our technicians hold White Cards and Working at Heights tickets and are trained on rope access and EWPs. We carry $20 million Public Liability Insurance and every employee is covered by WorkCover.

Pressure washing lifts oil, grime and detergent off a surface, and that run-off cannot go into stormwater drains. We contain it, by bunding, vacuum recovery or filtration as the site needs, and use biodegradable products, in line with council and water authority rules.

What it costs

We quote each job on the property, free and with no obligation. Concrete and paving typically runs between $250 and $900 and up. The price moves on:

• The surface area and type, since bigger areas take longer and fragile surfaces need the gentler soft wash and special products.
• How dirty it is, since thick algae, mould, oil, grease or gum need pre-treatment and more chemical work.
• Access and height, since facades and roofs need an EWP, ladders or rope access and the safety setup that goes with them.
• The method, since soft washing carries chemical cost and high pressure needs high-flow gear.
• Scope, since doing the roof, gutters or facade in the same visit brings the per-job cost down.

You will know the price up front, with no hidden charges. Tell us what needs cleaning, whether concrete, facade or a hard-to-reach area, and we will quote it.