After a Toronto winter, your driveway has 5 months of salt stains, oil drips, and grime. Your patio has moss growing in the joints. Your deck looks grey instead of golden. Pressure washing transforms all of it — but only if done correctly. Wrong PSI on the wrong surface = permanent, expensive damage.
The PSI Guide — What Surface Needs What Pressure
| Surface | Safe PSI | Method | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 3,000-4,000 PSI | Pressure wash + surface cleaner | $149-$449 |
| Interlock/pavers | 2,000-2,500 PSI | Pressure wash + re-sand joints | $249-$499 |
| Stone patio | 2,000-3,000 PSI | Pressure wash (test hidden area first) | $99-$249 |
| Wood deck | 500-800 PSI | Soft wash ONLY | $149-$349 |
| Vinyl siding | 500-1,000 PSI | Soft wash + cleaning solution | $299-$599 |
| Brick | 500-800 PSI | Soft wash (heritage: 500 max) | $199-$449 |
| Stucco | 500-800 PSI | Soft wash only | $199-$449 |
| Painted surfaces | 500 PSI max | Soft wash only | $199-$399 |
| Windows | NEVER ❌ | Squeegee cleaning only | See window cleaning |
| Roof shingles | NEVER ❌ | Soft wash chemical treatment | $399-$799 |
Toronto Salt Stain Problem
Toronto uses 130,000+ tonnes of road salt per winter. This salt splashes onto driveways within 10m of salted roads and creates white crystalline stains that standard garden hoses can't remove. The salt also damages concrete — it accelerates spalling (surface flaking) through freeze-thaw cycles. Professional pressure washing removes the salt and prevents further concrete damage.
Interlock Driveway Special Considerations
GTA homes with interlock/paver driveways need extra care. Pressure washing removes joint sand — the polymeric sand between pavers that holds everything together. Any company that pressure washes your interlock without re-sanding the joints is leaving you with pavers that shift, sink, and grow weeds within weeks. MANTLE includes joint re-sanding in every interlock pressure wash quote.
Spring Pressure Washing Timeline
Best time: Mid-April to early May. Wait for consistent 10°C+ temperatures. Pressure washing in near-freezing temps risks ice formation on surfaces.
Before listing your home? Pressure wash 7-10 days before photos. Concrete needs 3-5 days to fully dry and show maximum improvement. Pre-listing guide →
Pressure Washing Near You
Right PSI for every surface. Interlock re-sanding included. Salt stain removal. $2M insured.
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