In the Cairns climate, mould and mildew don’t just make a house look tired — they eat into paint, render and timber. Express Paint provides professional pressure washing and low-pressure soft washing across Cairns to strip away mould, dirt, salt and grime from homes, roofs, driveways, paths and decks. QBCC licensed, fully insured, and local for over 10 years.
What we clean
- House exteriors — render, weatherboard, fibro, brick and Colorbond walls.
- Roofs — soft-wash roof cleaning that lifts mould and lichen without damaging tiles or coatings (see also roof painting).
- Driveways, paths & patios — concrete, pavers and stencilcrete.
- Decks & timber — a gentle wash before oiling or staining.
- Fences, eaves and gutters.
Pressure washing vs soft washing — we use the right one
Blasting everything at high pressure damages render, strips paint and forces water where it shouldn’t go. We match the method to the surface:
- Soft washing — low pressure plus a mould-killing treatment for painted walls, roofs and delicate surfaces. It kills the mould at the root so it stays gone longer, rather than just blowing off the surface.
- High-pressure cleaning — for hard surfaces like concrete driveways, paths and masonry where it’s safe and effective.
Getting this wrong is how homeowners end up with streaked render and stripped paint. We don’t.
Why it matters in Far North Queensland
Our wet season and humidity make Cairns a mould factory. On exterior paint, mould voids the look of an otherwise good paint job in a season or two, breaks down the coating so the next repaint costs more, and spreads to eaves, fences and roofs. A soft wash once a year — and always before a repaint — protects the investment. That’s why every exterior painting quote we do includes a wash as standard: painting over mould just seals it in.
Cleaning as repaint prep
Most of our pressure washing is the first step of an exterior repaint. Paint only bonds to a clean, sound surface — a proper wash is the difference between a coating that lasts 8+ years and one that flakes early. If you’re planning to repaint, ask us to quote the wash and paint together.
Why Cairns chooses Express Paint
- QBCC licensed & fully insured.
- Over 10 years washing and painting Far North Queensland homes.
- The right method for every surface — no damage from over-blasting.
- Free, no-obligation quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash my house in Cairns?
Once a year is ideal in our climate — more often for shaded or beachside homes where mould and salt build up faster.
Will pressure washing damage my paint or render?
Not the way we do it. Painted and rendered surfaces get a low-pressure soft wash with a mould treatment, so the surface is cleaned without being stripped or forced.
Do you clean roofs?
Yes — we soft-wash roofs to remove mould and lichen safely, and can follow up with heat-reflective roof painting if the roof needs recoating.
Is house washing worth it before painting?
Absolutely — it’s essential. Paint won’t bond to a dirty or mouldy surface, so a wash is included as standard prep in our exterior painting quotes.
Do you offer free quotes?
Yes — free, no-obligation quotes across Cairns. Call 0419 600 383 or use the contact form.