One of the most common mistakes homeowners make with exterior cleaning is treating every surface the same way. Grab the pressure washer, set it to high, and go. It works on concrete. On render or weatherboard, it can strip paint, push water behind cladding, or leave permanent marks that are more expensive to fix than the original grime.
Here's how each common Melbourne home surface should actually be cleaned — and what to watch out for.
Concrete
Driveways, paths, footpaths, pool surroundsConcrete is one of the toughest surfaces to clean but also one of the most porous. Dirt, oil and tyre marks sink deep into the pores and a garden hose won't touch them. Professional cleaning uses a rotary surface cleaner — a wide spinning head that gives an even, consistent result without streaking. For oil and grease, a targeted degreaser is applied first and allowed to dwell before pressure is used. Sealing concrete after cleaning significantly extends how long it stays clean.
Pavers
Driveways, paths, courtyards, pool areas, entertaining areasPavers look straightforward but have one vulnerability: the jointing sand between them. High pressure aimed directly at the joints blasts out the sand, leaving gaps that immediately fill with weeds. Professional cleaners use a surface cleaner with appropriate pressure and a careful angle to clean the paver face without destroying the joints. After cleaning, new sand is brushed in to restore stability. Polymeric sand (which hardens slightly) is worth considering for areas with persistent weed problems.
Brick
Walls, fences, piers, feature wallsBrick looks tough and generally is — but the mortar joints are softer, and high pressure aimed at them can cause chipping and erosion that leads to expensive repointing. Unpainted brick is also vulnerable to a specific type of biological staining (black algae and mould) that high-pressure water alone won't fix — it needs chemical pre-treatment to kill the organism at root level before rinsing. Painted or sealed brick needs lower pressure still. The right approach depends on whether the brick is natural, painted, sealed, or heritage-listed.
Render and painted walls
Rendered exteriors, painted weatherboard, fibre cement claddingRender is the surface most often damaged by incorrect cleaning. The finish looks solid but is actually quite delicate — high-pressure water can chip the surface, leave pressure marks, strip paint, and force water behind the render skin where it sits and causes bubbling or peeling. The correct method is soft washing: a low-pressure rinse combined with appropriate cleaning solutions that lift mould, algae and grime without any mechanical force. The results are excellent and the surface is left completely intact.
Timber and composite decking
Timber decks, composite decking, pergolas, fencesTimber is the most pressure-sensitive surface on this list. Even relatively low pressure can raise the grain, cause furring, and strip surface treatments. Timber should be cleaned with low pressure and appropriate detergents, working with the grain. Older or weathered timber may need assessment first — some surfaces need restoration rather than cleaning. After cleaning, oiling or resealing promptly prevents the timber from drying out and checking.
"Most Melbourne homes have at least three different surface types that each need a different approach. Getting a professional assessment before cleaning protects your home and gets better results."
How Melbourne conditions affect each surface
Bayside suburbs from St Kilda to Elwood and Beaumaris deal with salt air — this accelerates rust on metal fixings and leaves a chalky film on brick and concrete that needs specific treatment. Inner leafy suburbs like Kew, Hawthorn, Balwyn and Ivanhoe see heavy organic load from large street trees, which means render and pavers collect pollen and algae faster than homes in more exposed locations. Homes near busy roads accumulate fine black soot on lighter-coloured render that's hard to see but makes walls look prematurely grey.
Before any cleaning job: identify every surface type on your property and whether it's painted, sealed, or natural. If you're not sure, a professional assessment takes the guesswork out and makes sure you don't accidentally damage something that would cost far more to repair than the cleaning.
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