Certified Pressure Cleaning

Pressure cleaning questions answered

What can be cleaned, what can go wrong and what you need to know before booking.

Materials

Can sandstone be pressure washed?

Sandstone can lose grains or surface detail under a jet. Start with a gentle, material-specific trial. Weathered, fretting or heritage stone may need specialist advice rather than an ordinary pressure clean.

Is there one safe pressure setting for all sandstone?

No. Stone condition, nozzle, distance, flow, temperature and time on a spot change the effect. A machine setting alone cannot establish that a method is safe.

Can you use acid on limestone or travertine?

Ordinary acid cleaning is unsuitable for these acid-sensitive stones. Use a compatible stone-care method and seek specialist advice for stains or etching.

Is a stone-look tile cleaned like natural stone?

Not necessarily. Stone-look porcelain is a manufactured tile; limestone, sandstone and other natural stones have different care requirements. Identify the actual material first.

Can a pressure cleaner damage concrete?

Yes. Excessive impact can etch tracks or remove weak cement paste. New, dusty, spalling, coated or repaired concrete needs particular assessment.

Can pavers be cleaned without losing sand?

Joint condition and the cleaning method matter. Some sand may be disturbed. Re-sanding is separate specialist work, not part of a clean. Product instructions may restrict machine cleaning.

Does every brick clean need acid?

No. Mortar smears, algae, oil and salt deposits are different problems. Use the brick manufacturer’s method for the identified deposit; some bricks and masonry products are unsuitable for ordinary acid cleaning.

Why do timber decks need low pressure?

Strong jets can damage fibres and leave a furry or striped finish. A suitable cleaner, brushing and gentle rinse may be more appropriate, depending on the timber and coating.

Can all composite decks be pressure washed?

No. Check the exact brand and generation. Some newer products permit controlled pressure cleaning while older products may prohibit it. One product’s maximum pressure is not universal advice.

Can you wash painted render?

A compatible low-pressure wash can suit sound coatings. Cracks, loose render and peeling paint need assessment first. Washing cannot repair those defects.

Is a Colorbond roof cleaned with strong bleach?

Do not assume that a strong chemical recipe is compatible. Start from the current coating manufacturer’s care advice and assess the actual stain. Low pressure does not make incompatible chemistry safe.

Are roof tiles pressure cleaned?

No. We soft wash tile roofs only, and price them after a look at the roof. The tile, coating, pointing and safe access decide whether a clean suits the roof.

Can solar panels be pressure or steam cleaned?

High-pressure and steam equipment are not appropriate default methods. Follow the installed panel manufacturer’s instructions, using suitable water and non-abrasive tools with safe access.

Do you clean asbestos or old fibro?

No. NSW prohibits pressure washing asbestos material, and we will not pressure wash fibro. You cannot tell an old sheet is safe by looking at it. Have unknown older sheeting checked by a licensed asbestos assessor before anyone disturbs it.

Results

Will cleaning lift solar output by a set percentage?

No. The effect depends on how dirty the panels were, their angle, the weather and the system itself. Panel cleaning is separate from electrical inspection and repairs.

Will every oil stain disappear?

No. Surface oil may improve with suitable treatment, while older absorbed oil can leave a shadow. A compatible poultice or repeat process may need a separate scope.

Will all lichen disappear on the day?

Not with every process. Some leave-on treatments rely on gradual weathering, so the lichen fades over the following months rather than coming off during the visit.

Why might a clean patch look lighter?

The surrounding area may still be dirty, the material may have natural variation or the treatment may have altered a coating or weak surface. Judge a test patch once it is dry, and clean to a sensible boundary such as a whole slab or wall.

Can cleaning repair etching, cracks or missing grout?

No. Those are material or repair issues. Cleaning may reveal them more clearly; stone restoration, masonry repairs or regrouting need their own scope.

Does cleaning certify a surface as slip-resistant?

No. Removing contamination may help cleanliness, but surface finish, wear and drainage also affect traction. A wash is not a formal slip test or certification.

Methods

What is the difference between soft washing and pressure washing?

Soft washing relies on compatible treatment and low mechanical force. Pressure washing uses controlled water force on suitable surfaces. Both start with checking and testing the surface.

Is soft washing always chemical-free or harmless?

No. Low pressure describes the water force, not the hazards of a product. Compatibility, protective measures, label instructions and safe re-entry requirements still apply.

When does hot water help?

Heat is useful to assess for oil, grease, food fats and gum on compatible hard surfaces. It is not needed for every job and does not make a delicate material safe to pressure clean.

Does hot water remove rust or mineral scale?

Not reliably by itself. Those deposits need identification and a compatible targeted treatment. An ordinary descaler may damage acid-sensitive stone or coatings.

Is pressure cleaning a disinfection service?

A general wash is not automatically validated disinfection. A hygiene claim would need a defined process, contact time, temperature or product and appropriate verification.

Pricing

Does cleaning include sealing or re-sanding?

No. Joint sand, stripping and sealing are separate specialist jobs with their own materials and drying times. They are not part of our cleaning services.

How much is a driveway clean?

Single driveway, up to 35 m²: $329. Double driveway, up to 65 m²: $499. Prices include GST. Size limits and the surcharges on the pricing page apply.

How much is a house wash?

Single storey: $549; double storey: $899, including GST, for the stated walls, eaves and downpipes scope. Check property size and access before choosing a package.

How accurate is a surface price guide?

It is an approximate range for budgeting. Material condition, stains and access set the final price. It is not a fixed package, and not every surface on the list will suit every property.

Why do small jobs have a minimum?

Travel, setup and site preparation take time even on a small area. The minimum attended job is $249 including GST; commercial attendance has a separate $450 minimum. A more specific package or site scope may apply.

Do prices include GST?

Yes. All listed prices include GST.

Can I measure a fence in linear metres?

Length alone is incomplete unless the height and number of faces are stated. Face area is length multiplied by height, with each side counted separately.

Aftercare

Is sealing necessary after every clean?

No. Consider the material, existing sealer, moisture, exposure and intended use. Some installations do not need a new sealer, and an unsuitable product can cause problems.

When can pets or children use the area?

Once the area has been rinsed and has dried. Product instructions, surface condition and weather change how long that takes. There is no single time that suits every clean.

How often should exterior areas be cleaned?

Use condition and manufacturer guidance. An annual review is a practical starting point; shaded, damp, coastal or heavily used areas may need earlier attention. No treatment stops regrowth for a fixed period.

Preparation

Do I need to provide a tap?

A working outdoor tap is best. The mobile unit carries 100 metres of hose. Note where the tap is in your booking details. A site with no working tap within 100 metres has a surcharge, shown on the pricing page.

What should I move before cleaning?

Clear the agreed area of vehicles, movable furniture, toys, washing and loose items where practical. Secure pets, close windows and point out delicate plants, damaged seals and other sensitive features.

What if roof water feeds a rainwater tank?

Say so in your booking details. Diversion and reconnection follow the instructions for the product used and the tank system, not a fixed waiting period.

Can dirty water run into a street drain?

No. The NSW EPA’s position is that stormwater drains are for rain only, and polluted wash water must not go into them. A drain cover on its own does not deal with the water.

Is driveway cleaning allowed under Sydney water rules?

Check the current Sydney Water guidance. Drinking-water cleaning of hard surfaces is limited to necessary safety, health, emergency, construction or contamination situations. Stormwater protection is a separate requirement.

Do I need to be home?

Say in your booking whether you will be home. If you will not be, add how to reach the work area, where the tap is and anything locked, fenced or guarded by a pet.

How do I book unusual surfaces or a mixed-material job?

Use the online price request. Add the dimensions, wide and close-up photos, product names, coating history, access and any known hazards.

Book with Certified Pressure Cleaning