“The roof looks brand new — all the moss is gone and the team was tidy and professional.”
Verified
Kew is grand Federation and Edwardian homes with steep slate and terracotta roofs, deep valleys and ornate detailing — roofs that are expensive to get wrong. FreshDuct cleans them with the right method and care, with photo proof.
Moss and lichen dulling a fine slate or terracotta roof? A careful soft-wash brings it back safely.
Kew is one of Melbourne’s grand old inner-east suburbs — substantial Federation and Edwardian homes and a good number of genuine mansions, set on leafy, elevated streets between the Yarra boulevards and the shopping strips. The roofs match the houses: steep, detailed, and frequently finished in slate or high-quality terracotta, with deep valleys, multiple gables, ornate ridge capping and finials. They are beautiful, and they are among the most demanding and valuable roofs we clean.
That value is exactly why method matters here. Slate is layered and brittle, and a high-pressure clean can crack tiles, drive water under the laps and strip the surface; original terracotta is porous and its pointing is fragile. Yet Kew’s leafy, cooler streets keep these roofs shaded and damp, so moss, lichen and black algae build up steadily, holding moisture against the slate and terracotta and slowly working into the joints. The growth also blocks the deep valleys and box gutters these complex roofs rely on.
FreshDuct cleans Kew roofs with the care they deserve. We identify the material and pitch, use a controlled low-pressure soft-wash suited to slate and terracotta, and treat the surface so the growth is slower to return. We clear the valleys, box gutters and downpipes that a complex period roof depends on, work safely on steep access, and document the whole job with before and after photos — so a roof that is a real asset is cleaned, not damaged.
The things we look at first on a Kew roof — based on the local homes, roof types and conditions.
Kew has more slate and premium terracotta than almost any suburb. Both are brittle and easily damaged by high pressure, so we soft-wash at low pressure and never blast the surface or the pointing.
Grand Kew roofs are steep, multi-gabled and high off the ground. We work with proper access and safety so the job is done thoroughly without risk to the roof or anyone on it.
Period Kew homes rely on deep valleys and box gutters that clog with leaf litter and moss. Blocked, they back water under the tiles — we clear them as part of the clean.
Real photos from FreshDuct roof, gutter and exterior cleaning jobs. We document every job with before and after photos.



One local team for the whole exterior — from a careful roof soft-wash to gutters, house washing and driveways.

Low-pressure soft-wash that lifts moss, lichen and grime without damaging tiles.
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Leaves, grit and debris cleared so water drains instead of overflowing.
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Walls, render, eaves and cladding washed back to clean, fresh surfaces.
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Treating the moss and lichen at the root so it does not grow straight back.
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Pressure-washing driveways, paths and paving free of grime, moss and stains.
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Dust, grime and bird mess removed so panels work at full output.
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On a Kew slate or terracotta roof, the cost of getting the method wrong dwarfs the cost of the clean. Cracked slate, stripped terracotta or water forced under the laps can mean thousands in repairs. We treat these roofs as the assets they are, matching a gentle, controlled soft-wash to the material.
We lift the moss, lichen and algae, treat the surface to slow regrowth, and clear the valleys and box gutters that a complex period roof depends on — then hand over before and after photos so you can see the result on a roof you rarely get to look at closely.
FreshDuct cleans roofs across Kew and the inner east 7 days a week, and we are well used to grand period homes. We regularly work the neighbouring streets of Hawthorn, Camberwell and across to Doncaster, and down into Abbotsford, so Kew is firmly within our regular territory.
From the mansions near the boulevards to the Federation homes around Cotham Road and the Kew Junction, we can usually offer a prompt appointment and prioritise roofs where moss and blocked valleys are threatening slate, terracotta or the ceilings below.
A safe, documented, end-to-end clean — the right method for your roof type, every suburb.
We check the roof type, its condition and how much moss, lichen or debris it carries.
We match the method to the material — low-pressure soft-wash or a controlled pressure clean.
Gutters and valleys cleared so the roof can drain and dry properly.
Moss, lichen and grime removed, then treated so it is slower to return.
Before & after photos so you can see the result from the ground.
Site left tidy, with honest advice on keeping the roof clean.
Verified 5-star reviews from across FreshDuct’s roof, gutter, exterior and duct services.
“The roof looks brand new — all the moss is gone and the team was tidy and professional.”
Verified
“On time, no mess, and the before-and-after photos showed exactly what they did. Highly impressed.”
Verified
“Exceeded my expectations. Careful with our old tiles and the gutters have never been clearer.”
Verified
“So glad I chose FreshDuct. The house and roof look years younger and the whole process was smooth.”
Verified
“Quick, efficient and professional — the difference from the street is obvious.”
Verified
“Thorough and honest — they told me what the roof did and did not need. No upselling.”
Verified
We cover Kew and the surrounding suburbs. Explore nearby areas and related FreshDuct services.
Yes — but only with the right method. Slate is brittle and layered, so we never use high pressure on it. We use a controlled low-pressure soft-wash that lifts moss and lichen off the slate without cracking tiles or forcing water under the laps, and we work carefully on the steep access these roofs have.
Yes. Large period Kew homes rely on deep valleys and box gutters, and Kew’s leafy streets keep filling them with leaves and moss. Blocked, they back water under the tiles and into ceilings. We clear the valleys, box gutters and downpipes as part of the roof clean so water drains the way it should.
Yes. FreshDuct cleans roofs, clears gutters and washes exteriors across Kew and the surrounding inner east, 7 days a week. Call 04 3191 8137 or request a free quote.
It depends on the size and pitch of the roof, the roof material and how much moss and lichen has built up — a straightforward soft-wash is quick and affordable, while a heavily overgrown or steep roof is quoted separately. You get clear pricing up front before any work starts. Call 04 3191 8137.
Not the way we do it. For most tiled and older roofs we use a low-pressure soft-wash that lifts moss and grime without cracking tiles or stripping the surface, and we only use higher pressure where the material can safely take it. Matching the method to the roof is the whole point.
Yes. Every FreshDuct roof and exterior job in Kew comes with before and after photos and honest, plain-English advice — so you can see exactly what was done from the ground.
Roof soft-washing, gutter clearing and exterior house washing — a clean, documented job with photo proof. Available 7 days.
Tell us about your roof and gutters — we respond fast, 7 days.