Concrete tile roof restored from heavy black mould and lichen staining to a clean, uniform finish using a safe soft wash treatment. The roof was returned to its original colour without high-pressure damage to the tiles or surrounding ridge capping.
Before & After
What We Did
Roof inspection & access setup
Inspected tile condition, identified any cracked or slipped tiles, and set up safe roof access. Confirmed tiles were sound and suitable for soft wash treatment rather than replacement.
Gutter & surrounds protection
Protected gutters, downpipes, garden beds, and surrounding plants from chemical runoff. Important on roof work where biocide solution naturally runs to the gutter line during application and rinse.
Biocide application
Applied a specialised soft wash biocide solution at low pressure across the entire roof — including ridge capping, valleys, and any heavily stained sections. The treatment kills mould, lichen, and algae at the spore level.
Dwell & treatment
Allowed the solution to dwell and break down the organic growth. Lichen in particular has root structures that physically grip into the tile surface — biocide treatment is what releases that bond rather than scrubbing or pressure alone.
Low-pressure rinse
Rinsed the entire roof with a controlled low-pressure flow, working with the slope to flush all residue and dead organic matter into the gutters and downpipes for collection. High-pressure cleaning on tile roofs risks dislodging tiles, breaking ridge mortar, and forcing water under the tile line — soft wash avoids all three.
Final inspection & cleanup
Walked the roof to confirm uniform finish, cleared gutters of any flushed debris, and removed protective coverings from surrounds.
The Result
The roof was restored from a heavily mould- and lichen-stained surface to a clean, even finish across all tiles, ridge capping, and valleys. The full roof was completed in a single visit with no damage to tiles or mortar.
Soft wash roof treatments typically resist mould and lichen regrowth for 2–4 years in South East Queensland conditions — significantly longer than pressure cleaning, which only removes visible staining without killing the underlying spores or lichen roots.
Suitable For
Soft washing is the recommended method for almost all tile roof cleaning — it preserves tile integrity, ridge mortar, and any existing sealer or paint while delivering a longer-lasting result than high-pressure cleaning. Particularly important for older tile roofs where high-pressure can crack tiles or strip the protective surface layer.
This Brisbane tile roof had developed extensive black mould and lichen staining across the entire surface — a common issue for tile roofs in South East Queensland’s humid subtropical climate, where shaded sections of roof can hold moisture long enough for organic growth to colonise the porous tile surface. The staining was uneven and heavy, particularly across the lower courses and around the ridge line, leaving the roof looking aged and significantly impacting the overall street appeal of the property.
The restoration was carried out using a soft wash approach — the appropriate method for tile roofs of this type. Soft washing applies a specialised biocide solution at low pressure, killing mould, lichen, and algae at the root rather than relying on high-pressure water to blast organic growth off the surface. This matters for tile roofs in particular: high-pressure cleaning risks dislodging tiles, cracking ridge mortar, stripping any existing protective sealer, and forcing water under the tile line where it can cause leaks. Soft wash avoids all of those risks while delivering a more durable result.
After biocide application, dwell time, and a controlled low-pressure rinse, the roof was returned to a clean, uniform finish. Because the treatment kills lichen and mould at the spore level rather than just removing surface staining, soft wash roof cleans typically hold up for 2–4 years in Brisbane conditions — well beyond what a pressure rinse alone would achieve. Suitable for concrete, terracotta, and cement tile roofs of any age, plus ridge capping, valleys, and painted tile surfaces where surface protection matters.
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