Exterior building washing in Toronto starts with one question: what is the wall made of? A low-rise commercial building can have brick on one elevation, EIFS on the sign band, stucco at the rear and glass and metal panel at the entrance. Each needs a different method. We identify every material, test a small patch and then wash each surface the way it should be washed.
Why Do Commercial Facades Get Dirty and Streaked?
Toronto air carries soot from traffic, and it settles on ledges, sills and textured finishes. Rain then pulls it down the wall in vertical streaks, especially under windows. Shaded elevations stay damp longer and grow green algae and black biological staining. Near busy roads, brick and stone collect a grey film that dulls the whole building.
The wrong cleaning makes it worse. High pressure on EIFS or stucco gouges the finish and drives water into the wall. Harsh chemicals on aluminum frames leave oxidation marks. Scrubbing glass with grit scratches it. A facade that looked dirty becomes a facade that needs repair.
What Is Included in Exterior Building Washing?
- Brick and stone: controlled cold-water pressure on sound masonry, or soft wash on older and softer material
- EIFS and stucco: SoftWash low-pressure line with EIFS-safe detergent and a gentle rinse
- Glass, metal panel and aluminum frames: low-pressure rinse with suitable detergent
- Sign bands, canopies and soffits
- Ground-floor entrances and walkways as part of the same visit
How Do Facade Contracts Work?
Contract and pricing table
| Option | Scope | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Single elevation | Storefront or entrance face | $350-$1,200 typical |
| Full building | All elevations, lift access | Written quote per elevation |
| Seasonal program | Spring or fall facade plus entrances | Fixed per-visit rate, 12 months |
COI delivery in 24 hours
Owners and managers get a COI with $2M liability and the property named as additional insured within one business day, with WSIB clearance attached.
Hydrovac wastewater containment (Toronto Municipal Code 681)
Facade washing produces runoff carrying detergent and grime. Drain covers go over nearby catch basins and our hydrovac recovers the water, keeping the building owner in line with Toronto Municipal Code 681.
Why We Always Test First
A test patch on each material takes a few minutes and answers the important questions: does the stain lift with soft wash alone, does the brick tolerate pressure, does the coating react to the detergent? It also lets the manager see the expected result before approving the full job. On older buildings we often find failing sealant or loose mortar during this step and note it for the owner.
When Should a Building Be Washed?
- Spring or fall, as part of routine envelope maintenance
- Before re-leasing, refinancing or listing a property
- Before caulking, sealing or painting, which need a clean substrate
- After construction nearby leaves dust and splatter on the facade
How Much Does Exterior Building Washing Cost?
Pricing is per elevation, based on height, material, access and lift requirements. Single storefront elevations often fall between $350 and $1,200. Full buildings are quoted after a site look, in writing per surface.
Common Facade Problems We Solve
Vertical soot streaks under windows
Rain pulls soot off sills and ledges and paints it down the wall. Soft washing lifts it without scrubbing the cladding.
Green algae on shaded elevations
North and rear walls stay damp and grow algae, especially on EIFS and stucco. Sodium hypochlorite chemistry kills it at the root.
Grey film on brick near busy roads
Traffic grime dulls brick facades over time. Sound brick responds well to controlled cold-water pressure after a test patch.
Oxidized aluminum and metal panel
Window frames and panel cladding can chalk and dull. Low pressure and a suitable detergent clean them without scratching anodized or painted finishes.
Bird droppings on ledges and signage
Ledges, sign bands and canopies collect droppings, which are acidic and stain finishes. They are softened and rinsed rather than blasted.
Efflorescence on masonry
White salt deposits on brick and block point to moisture moving through the wall. We clean the deposit and note the location so the owner can look for the water source.
Access and Safety
Low-rise buildings are cleaned from the ground and from aerial lifts operated by trained crew with fall protection. We plan lift positions around entrances, parking and landscaping, and we block off work zones with cones and signage. For buildings taller than three or four storeys, swing stage or rope access is required, which is outside our scope, and we will tell you so at the quote stage.
What the Photo Report Covers
Every commercial facade job ends with a timestamped report: before-and-after photos of each elevation, photos of drain protection, and notes on anything we noticed, such as failed sealant, cracked EIFS, loose mortar or blocked weep holes. Property managers often forward these notes straight to their envelope consultant.
Building Washing Across the GTA
Our GTA exterior cleaning crews wash low-rise commercial buildings in Toronto Central, along Highway 7 and in Milliken in Markham, and across Mississauga, Vaughan, Scarborough and Etobicoke. Facade work often pairs with graffiti removal, and residential or heritage masonry is covered by our soft washing service. Condo facades are included in strata and condo pressure washing contracts under our commercial power washing program.
