Toronto's climate is brutal on homes. Five months of road salt, freeze-thaw cycles, spring pollen, summer humidity, and fall leaf dumps mean your home's exterior needs consistent attention. This calendar tells you exactly what to do each month — and the correct order to do it.
The Correct Cleaning Order (Most People Get This Wrong)
Always Clean Top → Bottom, Dirty → Clean
- Gutters first — debris falls down onto everything below
- Siding / house wash — dirty water runs down the walls
- Driveway & walkways — catches all the runoff from above
- Windows last — nothing left to splash them
If you clean windows first, you'll splash them during gutter cleaning. If you pressure wash your driveway before washing your siding, dirty runoff re-stains the concrete. Order matters.
🌱 April — Post-Winter Recovery
Priority: Undo 5 months of winter damage
- Inspect gutters for ice damage, sagging, or pulled brackets
- First gutter cleaning — clear winter debris, ice-compacted leaves, shingle grit
- Inspect siding for salt stains and moisture damage
- Pressure wash driveway and walkways (wait for consistent 5°C+ overnight temps)
- Check window seals and caulking for freeze-thaw cracks
- Schedule spring window cleaning (book early — April fills fast)
🌷 May — Spring Cleaning Season
Priority: Full exterior refresh before summer
- Window cleaning — exterior + interior (spring is the #1 month for this)
- Second gutter pass — maple keys and seed pods drop mid-May
- Soft wash siding — remove mildew that grew over the wet spring
- Clean deck and patio for outdoor season
- Pressure wash interlock — remove winter weeds and moss from joints
- Clean outdoor furniture before first use
☀️ June — Pollen Season Cleanup
Priority: Post-pollen window touch-up
- Quick exterior window rinse — yellow pollen film is at its worst
- Check gutters for cottonwood fluff (clogs downspouts instantly)
- Inspect and clean window screens
- Touch up driveway if needed (spring rain + pollen = brown streaks)
- Check exterior paint/stain for winter damage — schedule repairs
🌞 July — Mid-Season Maintenance
Priority: Spot cleaning, enjoy your outdoor space
- Spot clean windows (sprinkler overspray causes hard water spots)
- Check gutters if you have heavy tree coverage (mid-summer debris buildup)
- Clean BBQ area and patio (soft wash for composite decks)
- Inspect window caulking — summer heat causes expansion/cracking
- Re-sand and seal interlock joints if cleaned in spring
🏖️ August — Pre-Fall Prep
Priority: Prepare for fall season
- Full window cleaning if selling your home (pre-listing boost)
- Pressure wash driveway if hosting end-of-summer events
- Check gutter guards/screens — replace before leaf season
- Inspect roof for curling shingles (affects gutter health)
- Schedule fall gutter cleaning NOW (November fills up by September)
🍁 September — Early Fall
Priority: Clean before the leaves drop
- Fall window cleaning — before windows are closed for winter
- Interior window cleaning (last chance before heating season fogs them)
- Pressure wash siding — remove summer mildew before it freezes in
- Clean and store patio furniture (or cover)
- Final deck/patio clean and seal for winter
🍂 October — Leaf Season Begins
Priority: Gutter monitoring, winterize
- Monitor gutters weekly — leaves are falling
- Clean window tracks and weep holes before closing for winter
- Pressure wash walkways one final time
- Apply window protectant/sealant if desired
- Winterize exterior faucets (prevents pipe bursts near foundations)
🌧️ November — THE Most Important Month
Priority: Final gutter cleaning before freeze — DO NOT SKIP
- CRITICAL: Final gutter cleaning after all leaves have dropped
- Clear all downspouts — test with hose to verify flow
- Check gutter slope — water should flow toward downspouts
- Ensure downspout extensions direct water away from foundation
- Final exterior check before snow
❄️ December – March — Winter Watch
Priority: Monitor, don't clean
- Monitor for ice dams along roof edge (sign of gutter blockage)
- Check for icicle formation — small icicles are normal, large formations are not
- After ice storms: inspect for gutter damage, loose brackets
- Keep snow clear of foundation walls where possible
- February–March: Book your spring cleaning NOW (best companies fill by March)
Annual Cost Guide — What to Budget
What a typical Toronto 2-storey detached homeowner spends on exterior maintenance annually:
| Service | Frequency | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Window Cleaning (exterior) | 2× per year | $558 – $858 |
| Gutter Cleaning | 2× per year | $498 – $798 |
| Driveway Pressure Wash | 1× per year | $199 – $299 |
| Siding Wash (soft wash) | 1× per year | $399 – $699 |
| Deck/Patio Clean | 1× per year | $199 – $349 |
| Total (without bundling) | $1,853 – $3,003 | |
| Total (with MANTLE bundles) | $1,553 – $2,553 |
The Toronto Exterior Maintenance Calendar At a Glance
| Month | What to Do | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| April | Gutter inspect + clean, driveway pressure wash | 🟡 High |
| May | Windows (interior + exterior), siding wash, deck clean | 🔴 Critical |
| June | Post-pollen window rinse, gutter check | 🟢 Moderate |
| July | Spot clean, sprinkler check, gutter check (heavy tree) | 🟢 Low |
| August | Pre-listing cleaning, book fall gutters | 🟡 Moderate |
| September | Fall windows, siding wash, patio clean | 🟡 High |
| October | Monitor gutters, final walkway wash, winterize | 🟡 High |
| November | FINAL gutter cleaning (most important of year) | 🔴 Critical |
| Dec–March | Monitor ice dams, book spring cleaning | 🟢 Low |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my windows in Toronto?
Twice per year minimum — spring (April-May) and fall (September-October). Homes near highways, construction zones, or under heavy tree canopy benefit from 3 cleanings. With ClearCoat™ purified water, windows stay cleaner 2-3x longer between professional cleanings.
When should I clean my gutters?
Twice per year: late spring (May) and late fall (November). The November cleaning is the most critical — blocked gutters entering winter cause ice dams, fascia rot, and foundation damage. Are gutter guards worth it?
What month should I pressure wash my driveway?
Mid-April to early June. Wait for consistent 5°C+ overnight temperatures. This removes 5 months of road salt and gives you the whole summer to enjoy clean surfaces.
Is there a best order for exterior cleaning?
Yes — always top to bottom: gutters → siding → driveway/walkways → windows last. This prevents re-contamination. Full cleaning order guide →
How much does annual exterior maintenance cost?
For a typical Toronto 2-storey detached home: $1,553–$2,553 per year when bundled. That includes 2 window cleanings, 2 gutter cleanings, 1 driveway wash, 1 siding wash, and 1 deck clean. View all pricing →
Get Your Seasonal Maintenance Plan
Tell us about your home and we'll create a custom year-round maintenance schedule with pricing.
Get Free Estimate →