FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What region do you serve?
We mainly serve the Outaouais region, especially the area between Buckingham and Aylmer. We also offer our services in the greater Ottawa area. For farther areas, up to about 1 hour from Gatineau, it is also possible to book our services, but travel fees may apply.

Do you work in the rain?
Yes, we can work in light to moderate rain. In some cases, rain can even help rinse the vegetation better during the service. However, extreme weather conditions such as strong winds, thunderstorms, heavy rain, frost, or freezing rain may force us to reschedule an appointment. When that happens, we usually move the service to the same weekend or the following week. In general, we always wait until the day of the appointment before rescheduling, since a heavy rain forecast does not necessarily mean it will actually fall on site.

What are your business hours?
Our administrative office is open Monday to Friday, from 8 h to 17 h. Our technicians can also carry out some work on Saturdays, and some jobs may finish after 17 h, depending on the operations schedule.

Do you do commercial work?
Yes. We offer our services in several sectors, including residential, commercial, institutional, municipal, as well as for certain provincial and federal contracts.

Are you insured?
Yes. We carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance. Feel free to ask us for it: we can provide proof of insurance without any problem.

Do you come on site to provide an estimate?
Most of the time, no. We usually provide quotes remotely, by phone, which allows us to be fast and efficient. However, for some more complex properties or ones that require a more technical assessment, an on-site visit may be necessary. If your property is in a more remote area and the images available online do not allow for a proper assessment, we may also ask you to send us photos of the building.

All-in-One Exterior Washing

What is included in the ALL-IN-ONE service?
Our ALL-IN-ONE exterior washing service always includes the following:

• Gutter emptying
• Low-pressure cleaning of exterior gutters, soffits, and vinyl siding
• Exterior window washing
• Before / after photos
• Quick visual sealing report, including some basic observations on caulking, roofing, and the chimney

This service is designed to provide complete and convenient exterior maintenance, bundled into a single visit.

How long does it take to wash a house?
For most homes, the cleaning usually takes between 2 and 4 hours. The exact duration may vary depending on the size of the building, the level of dirt, site access, and the services included in the appointment.

Do I need to be present during an ALL-IN-ONE exterior cleaning?
Yes, ideally. It is best for the owner to be on site, or at least easy to reach, so we can respond quickly if a question or special situation comes up. Since our work involves water and cleaning equipment, there are always some associated risks. Having the owner present therefore helps the service run smoothly and allows for quick handling of any unexpected issues.

What if I am not present during the cleaning?
If you cannot be present during the service, we strongly recommend leaving a way to access the house, for example an unlocked door or a trusted person available if needed. In the event of a water or electrical issue, this access may allow us to act quickly, including turning off a breaker or shutting off the main water supply. Although this type of situation is rare, quick access to the house can make all the difference.

Do I need to prepare my home before an exterior siding cleaning?
Yes. Before we arrive, you must move items located near the building, such as the BBQ, rugs, flower pots, patio furniture, and any other items that could interfere with the work. Ideally, these items should be placed more than 10 feet away from the building so our hoses do not get caught on everything during the job.

We also ask that vehicles be removed from the driveway and, in general, that you leave us as much space as possible to work efficiently and safely.

Will my plants be safe?
Yes. We are very careful around the vegetation near the building. We rinse the plants before, during, and after the cleaning to protect them and help keep them healthy throughout the service.

Why is your low-pressure method better?
Our low-pressure method is preferable because it allows surfaces to be cleaned effectively while greatly reducing the risk of damage to the building. Unlike overly aggressive washing, it limits the risk of affecting sensitive surfaces or making flaws such as oxidation more visible.

Also, it is not just water that does the work. We use a suitable algaecide treatment that helps neutralize organic dirt, such as algae and other biological buildup. By contrast, cleaning with water alone may sometimes simply wet the organic matter without truly treating it, which can cause the problem to return more quickly.

Do you wash houses with high pressure?
No. We do not wash houses with high pressure. Instead, we use low-pressure washing combined with a chlorinated algaecide treatment to clean surfaces effectively while reducing the risk of damage. However, ground surfaces such as concrete and interlocking pavers can be cleaned with high pressure, with a pre-treatment and post-treatment algaecide when necessary.

Do you clean soffits?
Yes. In our ALL-IN-ONE exterior cleaning service, soffits are included.

A common question is also: Will there be water in my insulation?
The short answer is no. We clean soffits with low pressure. It is not the force of the water that does the work, but rather the action of the algaecide cleaning product. We therefore rinse the soffits in a controlled manner and fairly quickly, which prevents water from reaching the insulation.

It is also important to note that the soffit area is generally separate from the wall insulation. The soffits themselves are usually hollow and may receive a bit of water during rinsing, but that water simply drains out through the openings provided for that purpose.

Can water get behind my exterior siding?
In reality, exterior siding is designed to allow water to drain behind it in a controlled way. There is normally a protective weather barrier membrane between the wall structure and the siding, and vinyl panels are also designed with openings that allow water to drain away. Obviously, we do not try to spray water directly under the vinyl panels. However, it is important to understand that the siding is designed to handle a certain amount of water and allow proper drainage.

Can water get into my house?
Under normal conditions, no. However, if there is already a sealing issue, it is possible for water to infiltrate during the cleaning. This can happen, for example, if there is a worn or cracked caulking joint around a window, a faulty window, a window left open during the service, or any other existing weakness in the building envelope.

That is also why, when we notice anything concerning during our work, we can provide you with a quick observation report at the end of the service. For example, we can point out visible signs such as a cracked window seal, a weak spot around a chimney, or an unusual detail observed on the roof. Our goal is to inform you of what we see so you can monitor or correct the situation if needed.

When you wash the house, what do you do with cameras and other sensitive items?
Before starting our work, we take care to protect more sensitive items, including cameras, keyholes, and some outdoor electrical outlets, when the situation allows. If the property has more than two hard-to-reach cameras, an additional fee of $10 per camera may apply for their protection.

Can you wash a 3-storey building?
Yes. Thanks to our low-pressure washing method, we can reach heights of more than 30 feet. When necessary, we also use suitable equipment, such as longer wands, to reach the required height and properly clean the surfaces in question.

Will your cleaning remove wasp nests in the gables?
Yes. When we wash the house, we generally remove visible wasp nests from exterior surfaces, including those in the gables when they are accessible as part of the normal service.

Do you clean brick facades?
Yes, when needed, but it is relatively rare for a brick facade to need a full cleaning. In most cases, the brick is not actually dirty. If it has black marks caused by water damage, or green buildup related to moss or mildew, we can assess whether a more targeted cleaning is possible, sometimes with higher pressure depending on the situation.

However, in the vast majority of cases, when a client books an ALL-IN-ONE service, we simply rinse the brick to remove any product residue that may have gotten on it during the cleaning of other surfaces.

Do you clean fibre cement, aluminum, and stucco?
Yes. We can clean fibre cement, aluminum, and stucco. However, it is important to mention this when you request the quote by phone, since these materials require specific cleaning methods and a tailored approach.

Do you clean basement balconies?
Yes. We can clean basement balconies. The rate is generally $25 to $50 per hole, depending on the exact nature of the work requested and the level of buildup to be removed.

Do you do pre-sale house cleaning?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, it is a very good time to have the exterior of a property cleaned. For an investment often between $500 and $1,000, it can greatly improve the overall appearance of the home and give it a much cleaner, more polished look before it goes on the market. We also strongly recommend interior window washing before a sale, since it helps let in more light and present the property at its best.

Window Washing

Do I need to be present for window washing?
For interior window washing, yes, your presence is required. For exterior window washing only, your presence is generally not required, provided that access to the building is adequate.

Do you also clean interior windows?
Yes. When we do interior window washing, the service always also includes cleaning the screens and the window tracks.

Do I need to move my furniture before you arrive for interior window washing?
Yes. Any furniture, objects, or items blocking access to the windows must be moved before we arrive. Blinds and curtains should also be opened or cleared to allow full and safe access to the windows.

Do you clean window frames and trim?
Yes. Cleaning window frames and trim is always included in our window washing service.

Gutter emptying

When you empty a gutter, do you run a hose to test the water flow?
Most of the time, no. With our experience, we are generally able to tell whether a gutter or downspout is blocked based on the amount and type of debris found, especially in elbows and critical sections. When a blockage is detected, we then use the hose to help clear it if needed. However, during a standard gutter emptying, we do not systematically run water through every gutter. That is also why we offer a 14-day warranty on gutter emptying, to allow time for the next rain to confirm that the water is flowing properly. It is also important to note that running water through every gutter can sometimes make the outside of the building dirtier unnecessarily.

I have gutter guards on my gutters. Will you remove them, clean underneath, and reinstall them?
No. We do not remove gutter guards, and we do not take them down or reinstall them. It is the customer's responsibility to let us know in advance when gutter guards are installed on the gutters. When we only need to clean what is on top of the gutter guards, we can offer a more competitive price, since the work is different. However, we do not offer gutter guard removal and reinstallation. As a rule, when gutter guards are properly installed, there should not be significant buildup underneath. If they are poorly installed or cause a problem, that is more of an issue for a gutter installation or repair company than for a cleaning company.

Do I need to be present for gutter emptying?
No. Your presence is generally not required for gutter emptying, as long as access to the building is possible and safe at the time of the appointment.

How often should gutters be cleaned?
Most properties should have their gutters cleaned at least once or twice a year, usually in the spring and fall. The ideal frequency can vary depending on the number of nearby trees, the type of foliage, and the environment around the building.

Do you leave the debris on site or take it with you?
For gutter emptying, we generally do not haul the debris off site. The leaves and other materials removed are usually placed in your compost bin. If you do not have a bin available, we can leave them in a leaf or compost bag on your property so you can later put it out for municipal collection.

Water and service preparation

Do I need to provide water for my house cleaning?
Yes. We need a working water source on site to carry out the cleaning. The customer must therefore make sure that a water outlet connected to the building is accessible and working before we arrive.

I have a artesian well. Can you still do the cleaning?
Yes. However, it is important to let us know when requesting the quote or before confirming the appointment if the property is supplied by an artesian well. In many cases, a well does not provide enough water flow to continuously feed our equipment. We therefore sometimes need to bring a certain amount of water to make up for it.

It is also important to plan for the well being heavily used during the cleaning day. Since this type of situation often leads to operational adjustments and sometimes lost time due to lack of water, the service price may be slightly higher than for a property supplied by a municipal water outlet.

On the day of the cleaning, it is important to limit water use inside the house as much as possible. We ask that you do not run appliances that use a lot of water, such as the washing machine or dishwasher, and do not fill a pool during our visit. This helps avoid draining the well too quickly and ensures the service goes smoothly.

Specialty cleaning and specific stains

Do you do specialty stain cleaning?
Yes. We can treat several types of specialized outdoor stains, such as graffiti, rust, soot, oil, grease, and certain hydrocarbon-related stains. Each situation must be assessed according to the surface, how long the stain has been there, and what result is realistically possible.

Can you remove graffiti?
Yes. We can treat certain types of graffiti depending on the affected surface, the type of siding, and the condition of the stain. A preliminary assessment may be necessary.

Can you remove rust stains?
Yes. We can treat certain rust stains depending on the surface and how deeply they are set in. The result may vary depending on the material and the age of the stain.

Can you remove soot after a fire?
Yes. We can handle certain soot cleanings on exterior surfaces, depending on the extent of the damage and the type of material involved.

Can you remove oil stains?
Yes. We can treat certain oil stains, especially on concrete and other exterior surfaces. However, some deep or old stains may be more difficult to remove completely.

Can you remove restaurant grease?
Yes. We can clean certain exterior grease buildup, especially around service areas, equipment, or commercial buildings, depending on the situation.

Can you remove gas or fuel stains?
Yes. We can treat certain fuel or hydrocarbon stains, depending on the affected surface and how deeply the material has been penetrated.

Apartment buildings and property management

Do you do apartment buildings?
Yes. We also work on apartment buildings and already do business with several real estate investors. We are therefore familiar with this type of building and the maintenance needs that come with it.

Do you work for property managers, condos, and co-ops?
Yes. We regularly handle this type of contract. We are used to working with property managers, condominiums, housing co-ops, and other similar organizations. We fully understand the reality of this type of project, including coordination, communication, and the expectations of boards of directors and managers.

Booking, payments, and cancellation policy

How far in advance should I book my appointment?
It depends a lot on the time of year. In the spring, which is usually our busiest season, we start taking appointments as of March 1, and it is often best to book 1 to 2 months in advance to have more choice. In the fall, we also recommend booking about one month in advance. During the summer, our schedule is usually filled 2 to 4 weeks ahead on an ongoing basis.

How can I pay?
We currently accept payments by Interac e-transfer, cheque, and cash. We also plan to offer online payment with Stripe soon for even more convenience.

What is your cancellation policy?
We ask our customers to let us know as soon as possible in the event of a cancellation or appointment change. However, if the cancellation is made less than 48 hours before the appointment, no deposit will be refunded.

Are deposits mandatory?
Yes, for most of our services, especially when it is a new customer, a deposit is required to reserve a date on the schedule. If a new customer prefers not to make a deposit, that is not a problem. However, no date will be officially reserved. In that case, the customer can be placed on a waiting list and we will contact them when availability opens up in our schedule.

Do you call before arriving?
No, not systematically. Instead, you will receive a reminder email about 24 hours before your appointment with the important information to prepare for your service. This reminder often includes instructions such as moving items near the building or in the work path and making sure the windows are closed before we arrive.

Do you offer annual maintenance packages?
Yes. We offer recurring annual services for exterior siding washing, window washing, and gutter emptying. This makes it easier to keep the property clean on a regular basis and plan maintenance more easily from year to year.

Warranties

Do you offer warranties?
Yes. We offer warranties on some of our services. For details and applicable timelines depending on each type of cleaning, we invite you to consult the “Satisfaction Guarantee” section on our website.