Your home's exterior is a collection of different surfaces — glass, vinyl, brick, concrete, wood, metal — and each one needs a different approach. Using the wrong method on the wrong surface is how $5,000 mistakes happen (pressure washing heritage brick, for example, permanently damages mortar joints). This guide covers every exterior surface on a typical Toronto home: what it needs, what it costs, when to DIY, and when to call a pro.
The 7 Exterior Surfaces (and What Each Needs)
| Surface | Method | PSI | Frequency | DIY? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Purified water / squeegee | N/A | 2-3x/year | Ground floor only | $149-$349 |
| Gutters | Hand cleaning + flush | N/A | 2x/year | Not recommended | $179-$299 |
| Vinyl siding | Soft wash (low pressure + solution) | 500-1,000 | 2-3 years | Ground floor only | $299-$599 |
| Brick | Soft wash ONLY | 500-800 | 3-5 years | Never (heritage risk) | $399-$799 |
| Concrete (driveway) | Pressure wash | 2,500-3,000 | 1-2x/year | If you own equipment | $199-$399 |
| Wood deck | Pressure wash (low) | 500-1,200 | 1x/year | If you own equipment | $149-$349 |
| Roof | Soft wash ONLY | 300-500 | 3-5 years | Never (fall risk) | $399-$899 |
Surface 1: Windows
Windows are your home's eyes — and the #1 thing visitors (and potential buyers) notice. Toronto's winter deposits 5 layers of contamination: road salt, diesel film, mineral deposits, construction dust, and pollen. Professional purified water cleaning dissolves all 5 without adding minerals from tap water.
- ClearCoat™ purified water — 0 TDS, dries invisible, stays clean 2-3x longer
- Includes: screens, tracks, frames — no extra charge
- Frequency: 2x/year minimum (spring + fall). 3x for ravine/highway/lakefront homes
- Cost: $149 (townhouse) to $349+ (executive)
Full window cleaning pricing guide →
Surface 2: Gutters & Eavestroughs
Clogged gutters cause more preventable home damage than any other single factor — $10,000-$50,000+ in foundation, fascia, and basement flooding damage. Toronto's mature tree canopy fills gutters with maple samaras, oak leaves, and pine needles.
- Full clean: all debris removed by hand, bagged and taken away
- Downspout flush: every downspout tested and flushed (included, never extra)
- Inspection: loose hangers, sagging sections, overflow points documented
- Frequency: 2x/year (late spring + late fall). 3x if you have maples or oaks directly overhead
- Cost: $179-$299
Full gutter cleaning pricing guide →
Surface 3: Siding
Vinyl, aluminum, Hardie board, stucco — each needs different treatment. The #1 mistake: pressure washing at full power (2,500+ PSI) which drives water behind siding, causes mould, and voids warranties.
- Vinyl siding: soft wash (500-1,000 PSI) with biodegradable solution
- Stucco (EIFS): soft wash ONLY — pressure cracks the coat and causes $50,000+ in water damage
- Aluminum: soft wash, avoid abrasives that scratch the finish
- Frequency: every 2-3 years, or annually for north-facing walls (algae-prone)
Stucco cleaning guide → · Brick cleaning guide →
Surface 4: Brick
⚠️ NEVER pressure wash heritage brick above 800 PSI. High-pressure water destroys the lime mortar in pre-1920 brick, starting a "heritage death spiral": water enters joints → freeze-thaw breaks more mortar → more water enters → entire wall fails. Repair cost: $5,000-$30,000+.
- Heritage brick (pre-1920): soft wash only, 300-500 PSI, no acid cleaners
- Modern brick (post-1970): can tolerate 800-1,000 PSI with care
- Efflorescence (white salt deposits): acid wash by professional only
- Do the mortar key test: run a key along the mortar joint. If it crumbles, your brick is heritage-class and needs specialist treatment
Surface 5: Concrete (Driveway, Walkways, Patio)
Concrete can handle high pressure — but interlock, stamped concrete, and exposed aggregate need different approaches.
- Poured concrete: 2,500-3,000 PSI, surface cleaner attachment for even results
- Interlock pavers: 1,500-2,000 PSI maximum — higher blows out poly sand between joints
- Stamped concrete: 1,500-2,000 PSI — high pressure damages stamp pattern and sealer
- Post-wash: interlock requires poly sand re-application ($50-$100 add-on)
- Frequency: 1x/year spring (salt removal), optional fall touch-up
Full pressure washing pricing guide →
Surface 6: Wood Deck
The #1 deck mistake: pressure washing at full power. 2,500 PSI on softwood (cedar, pine) permanently damages the grain, creating a fuzzy, splintered surface.
- Softwood (cedar, pine, spruce): 500-800 PSI maximum
- Hardwood (ipe, mahogany): 1,000-1,200 PSI
- Composite (Trex, TimberTech): 1,000-1,500 PSI, follow manufacturer guidelines
- Post-wash: allow 48-72 hours drying before staining or sealing
Surface 7: Roof
NEVER pressure wash your roof. High pressure lifts shingle granules, voids your warranty, and creates leaks. Roof cleaning is always soft wash: low pressure (300-500 PSI) with a cleaning solution that kills algae, moss, and lichen.
- Those black streaks? Gloeocapsa magma — a cyanobacterium that feeds on limestone in shingles
- Soft wash kills it at the root. Pressure washing just strips the surface (and your warranty)
- Frequency: every 3-5 years, sooner for shaded/north-facing roofs
The Complete Exterior Cleaning Cost
| Service | Individual | In Package | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows (exterior) | $229 | Included | — |
| Gutters + downspouts | $199 | Included | $79 |
| Driveway pressure wash | $249 | Included | $69 |
| Total individual | $677 | $499 | $178 |
Prices shown for a typical 2-storey detached Toronto home. Your actual pricing depends on home size, window count, driveway size, and gutter linear feet.
Every Surface. Every Method. One Call.
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