By Enes, Roof Solutions Melbourne·21 October 2026

Roof Cleaning Checklist: The Areas That Often Get Missed

A proper roof clean should cover the tile tops and the tile fronts (the front edges), the joints between tiles, the ridges and hips, and the gutters. The areas most often missed are the tile fronts, especially on the street-facing side of the house, and moss left in the tile joints.

We photograph these areas and show them to customers. The photos below are from our own Melbourne jobs.

Rows of washed terracotta roof tiles with clean front edges

Roof cleaning checklist at a glance

Use this list to check any roof clean, whoever does it. For how we clean roofs, see our roof cleaning service in Melbourne.

Tile fronts washed, not just the tops
The street-facing slope done properly
No moss or lichen left in the tile joints
Ridge and hip pointing checked once the roof is clean
Gutters clear of washed-off growth
Solar panels and skylights, if you have them

1. Tile fronts (the front edges of the tiles)

Each tile has a front edge, the lip that faces down the roof. Growth and grime build up on these fronts.

They're easy to miss if the water only hits the tops of the tiles. They're also what you see most from the ground.

Front edges of terracotta roof tiles washed clean — Tile fronts washed properly, not just the tops.

2. Tile fronts on the street-facing side

The front of the house is what you, your neighbours and buyers see. The tile fronts on the street-facing slope should be washed properly, because that's where a rushed clean shows.

Even rows of washed terracotta roof tiles — Even, clean tile rows across the slope.

3. Moss left in the tile joints

Moss and lichen can shelter in the interlocks and laps between tiles, even after a thorough wash. We go back for a second check of the joints, clean out what is left, and photograph these spots to show customers. A soft-wash treatment then kills remaining growth to slow regrowth.

Moss in the joint between two terracotta roof tiles, found on a second check — Found on our second check of a Coburg roof, then cleaned out.

More on this in why moss survives between roof tiles after pressure washing.

4. Ridge and hip pointing

Lichen often sits right on the ridges, hiding cracked pointing. A clean roof is the best time to check it.

Cracked ridge pointing on a terracotta roof, revealed after washing — Cracked pointing revealed after a wash.

On a Coburg roof, the wash revealed cracked pointing, and we fixed the cracked sections in the same visit. See the Coburg roof repointing job and our ridge capping and repointing page.

5. Gutters

Washed-off moss and debris ends up in the gutters. If they aren't cleared, the first heavy rain can send it all over the edge.

Ask whether gutter clearing is part of the quote, or book gutter cleaning alongside the roof clean.

Gutter packed with leaves on a metal roof — Leaf-packed gutters on a Dandenong job.

6. Solar panels and skylights

If your roof has solar panels or skylights, they collect the same grime. Cleaning them in the same visit is usually more efficient. See our solar panel and skylight cleaning job in Dandenong.

Ask for close-up photos

A wide photo from the gutter doesn't show much. Ask for close-ups of the tile fronts, the joints, the ridges and the gutters.

We photograph areas like these and show them to customers. For prices, see the roof cleaning cost guide or try the cost calculator.

Frequently asked questions

A proper clean covers the tile tops and fronts, the joints between tiles and the ridges and hips, with the gutters cleared of washed-off growth. Ask for close-up photos of these areas afterwards.

Growth builds up on the front edge of each tile, and it is easy to miss if the cleaning only hits the tops of the tiles.

Yes. Washed-off moss and debris collects in the gutters, so they should be cleared as part of the job.

Moss and lichen sheltered in the interlocks and laps between tiles can survive a wash that leaves the tile faces clean. Check close-up photos of the joints.

Most single-storey homes are $500–$900 and double-storey homes $900–$1,400, for homes up to around 250m². Every roof is quoted in writing first.

Related services and guides

Want a roof clean that covers everything?

Tell us about your property and we'll send a clear written quote. Every job is inspected before it's quoted.

Call 0478 544 608