Exterior maintenance is cheap when it's scheduled and expensive when it's a rescue. These intervals reflect what we actually see across Sydney rather than a generic checklist.
The baseline schedule
Adjust from here based on your property's exposure.
- House wash (walls, eaves, gutters): every 18–24 months
- Roof clean: every 3–5 years
- Driveway and paths: every 12–18 months
- Gutter clear-out: annually, twice a year under heavy canopy
- Timber decking clean: annually, before re-oiling
- Driveway sealing: every 3–5 years
Adjust for your street, not just your suburb
Heavy gum canopy roughly halves those intervals — the Upper North Shore, Lane Cove valley and leafier inner west blocks generate constant organic debris and keep roofs damp.
Coastal properties in the eastern suburbs and Northern Beaches deal with salt rather than lichen, which is harder on metal, fixings and window frames than on tile.
Long shaded southern walls and enclosed courtyards go green fastest anywhere in Sydney, regardless of postcode.
Best time of year
Late winter through early spring is ideal. Growth from the humid months is at its peak and easiest to identify, the weather is dry enough for sealing and coating, and you're ahead of storm season with clear gutters and valleys.
Why scheduling is cheaper
Regular cleaning is quicker, uses less chemistry and lower pressure, and doesn't require the intensive treatment a decade of neglect demands. More importantly, it catches the failing pointing, blocked valley or cracked render early — while it's still a maintenance item rather than a repair.
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