FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve the Outaouais region, specifically the area between Buckingham and Aylmer. We also offer our services in the greater Ottawa area. For more remote areas, up to approximately 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 better rinse vegetation during the service. However, extreme weather conditions such as strong winds, thunderstorms, heavy downpours, freezing rain or ice may require us to reschedule an appointment. When this happens, we usually reschedule the service for the same weekend or the following week. Generally, we always wait until the day of the appointment before rescheduling, since just because heavy rain is forecast doesn't mean it will actually fall on site.

What are your business hours?
Our administrative office is open Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Our technicians can also perform some work on Saturdays, and some jobs may run after 5 PM, depending on the operation schedule.

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

Are you insured?
Yes. We carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance. Feel free to ask for proof: we can provide you with insurance documentation without any issues.

Do you come out for an estimate?
Most of the time, no. We usually provide quotes remotely, by phone, which allows us to be quick and efficient. However, for some more complex properties or those that require a more technical evaluation, an on-site visit may be necessary. If your property is located in a more remote area and the available online images do not allow for a proper evaluation, 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 cleaning
• Low-pressure cleaning of exterior gutters, soffits and vinyl siding
• Exterior window washing
• Before / after photos
• Quick visual leak report, including some basic observations about caulking, roofing and chimneys

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

How long does it take to wash a house?
For most homes, cleaning typically 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 for an All-in-One exterior cleaning?
Yes, ideally. It is best for the homeowner to be on-site, or at least easily reachable, so that we can respond quickly to any questions or special situations. Since our work involves the use of water and cleaning equipment, there are always some associated risks. The homeowner's presence therefore facilitates the smooth running of the service and the quick management of any unforeseen issues.

What should I do if I am not present during the cleaning?
If you cannot be present for the service, we strongly recommend leaving a way to access the home, for example an unlocked door or a trusted person available if needed. In the event of a water or electrical problem, this access will allow us to intervene quickly, notably to turn off a circuit breaker or shut off the main water supply. Although this type of situation is rare, quick access to the home can make all the difference.

Do I need to prepare my home before an exterior siding cleaning?
Yes. Before our arrival, you must move objects located near the building, such as the BBQ, rugs, flower pots, patio furniture and any other item that could interfere with the work. Ideally, these objects should be placed more than 10 feet from the building to avoid our hoses getting caught everywhere during the visit.

We also ask that you remove vehicles from the parking area and, generally, leave us as much space as possible to work efficiently and safely.

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

Why is your low-pressure method better?
Our low-pressure method is preferable because it allows for effective surface cleaning while significantly reducing the risk of damage to the building. Unlike overly aggressive washing, it limits the risk of damaging certain sensitive surfaces or bringing out defects such as oxidation.

Furthermore, it's not just water that does the work. We use a suitable algae treatment that helps neutralize organic dirt, such as algae and other biological buildup. Conversely, cleaning with just water can sometimes only wet the organic matter without actually treating it, which could lead to the problem returning more quickly.

Do you pressure wash houses?
No. We do not pressure wash houses. We instead prioritize low-pressure washing, combined with the application of a chlorine-based algae treatment, to clean surfaces effectively while reducing the risk of damage. However, ground surfaces such as concrete and pavers can be pressure washed, with pre-treatment and post-treatment algae treatment when necessary.

Do you clean soffits?
Yes. In our All-in-One exterior cleaning service, soffits are included.

A frequently asked question is also: Will water get into my insulation?
The short answer is no. We clean soffits using low pressure. It's not the force of the water that does the work, but rather the action of the algae cleaning product. We therefore rinse the soffits in a controlled and fairly quick manner, which prevents water from penetrating into the insulation.

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

Can water get behind my exterior siding?
In reality, exterior siding is designed to allow water to flow behind it in a controlled manner. There is normally a protective barrier, such as a house wrap, between the wall structure and the siding, and vinyl panels are also designed with openings to allow water to drain. Obviously, we do not aim to spray water directly under the vinyl sheets. However, it is important to understand that the siding is designed to handle a certain amount of water and allow for proper drainage.

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

This is why, when we notice concerning elements during our work, we can provide you with a quick report of observations at the end of the service. For example, we can alert you to certain visible signs, such as a cracked window caulking, a weak point around a chimney or an abnormal detail observed on the roof. Our goal is to inform you of what we see, so that you can monitor or correct the situation as 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, lock holes and some exterior electrical outlets, when the situation allows. If the property has more than two hard-to-access cameras, an additional fee of $10 per camera may apply for their protection.

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

Will your cleaning remove wasp nests in the gable ends?
Yes. When we wash the house, we usually remove visible wasp nests on exterior surfaces, including those in the gable ends when accessible as part of the normal service.

Do you clean brick exteriors?
Yes, when needed, but it is relatively rare for a brick facade to require a full, thorough cleaning. In most cases, brick is not actually dirty. If it has black stains caused by water damage, or green buildup related to moss or mold, we can evaluate the possibility of a more targeted cleaning, sometimes at higher pressure depending on the situation.

However, in the vast majority of cases, when a customer books an All-in-One service, we simply rinse the brick to remove any residue from products that may have touched it during the cleaning of other surfaces.

Do you clean fiber cement, aluminum and stucco?
Yes. We can clean fiber cement, aluminum and stucco. However, it is important to mention this to us during the phone estimate, as these materials require specific cleaning methods and a tailored approach.

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

Do you clean before a home sale?
Yes, absolutely. This is actually a great 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 listing. We also strongly recommend interior window washing before a sale, as it helps let in more light and showcase 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 perform interior window washing, the service always also includes cleaning of window screens and window track sills.

Do I need to move my furniture before your arrival for interior window washing?
Yes. All furniture, objects or items that block access to the windows must be moved before our arrival. Blinds and curtains must also be open or cleared to allow full, safe access to the windows.

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

Gutter Cleaning

When you clean a gutter, do you run the garden hose to test the water flow?
Most of the time, no. With our experience, we are usually able to determine if a gutter or downspout is clogged based on the quantity and type of debris found, particularly in elbows and critical sections. When a clog is detected, we then use the garden hose to help unclog it if needed. However, during a standard gutter cleaning, we do not systematically run water through each gutter. This is why we offer a 14-day warranty on gutter cleanings, to allow time for the next rain to confirm that the flow is working properly. It is also important to note that running water during every gutter cleaning can sometimes unnecessarily dirty the exterior of the building more.

I have leaf guards on my gutters. Will you remove them, clean what is underneath, then reinstall them?
No. We do not remove leaf guards and do not perform their removal or reinstallation. It is the customer's responsibility to inform us in advance when leaf guards are installed on the gutters. When we only need to clean what is on top of the leaf guards, we can offer a more competitive rate, since the work is different. However, we do not offer the leaf guard removal and reinstallation service. Generally, when leaf guards are properly installed, there should not be a significant buildup underneath. If they are poorly installed or cause a problem, this is more a situation for a gutter installation or repair company than a cleaning company.

Do I need to be present for a gutter cleaning?
No. Your presence is generally not required for a gutter cleaning, provided that 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 spring and fall. The ideal frequency may however 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 cleanings, we usually do not transport debris off-site. The leaves and other materials removed are usually placed in your compost bin. If you do not have a compost bin available, we can leave them in a leaf or compost bag on your lawn, so that you can then place it at the curb for municipal collection.

Water and Service Preparation

Do I need to provide water for my house cleaning?
Yes. We need a functional water source on-site to perform the cleaning. The customer must therefore ensure that a water outlet connected to the building is accessible and functional before our arrival.

I am on a well. Can you still perform the cleaning?
Yes. However, it is important to inform us of this during the estimate or before confirming the appointment if the property is powered by a well. In many cases, a well does not provide enough water flow to continuously power our equipment. We therefore sometimes need to bring in a certain amount of water to compensate.

It is also important to note that the well may be heavily used during the day of the cleaning. As this type of situation often requires operational adjustments and sometimes a loss of time related to the lack of water, the service price may be slightly higher than for a property served by a municipal water outlet.

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

Specialized Cleanings and Specific Stains

Do you perform specialized stain cleanings?
Yes. We can treat several types of specialized exterior stains, such as graffiti, rust, soot, oil, grease and some stains related to hydrocarbons. Each situation must however be evaluated based on the surface, the age of the stain and the realistic possible result.

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

Can you remove rust stains?
Yes. We can treat certain rust stains depending on the surface and the level of buildup. The result may vary depending on the material and the age of the stain.

Can you remove soot after a fire?
Yes. We can intervene for some exterior soot cleanings, depending on the extent of the damage and the type of material to be treated.

Can you remove oil stains?
Yes. We can treat certain oil stains, particularly 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 buildups, particularly around service areas, equipment or commercial buildings, depending on the situation.

Can you remove gasoline or fuel stains?
Yes. We can treat certain stains related to fuel or hydrocarbons, depending on the surface affected and the level of penetration into the material.

Apartment Buildings and Property Management

Do you work on apartment buildings?
Yes. We also perform work on apartment buildings and already work 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 cooperatives?
Yes. We regularly carry out this type of contract. We are used to working with property managers, condominiums, housing cooperatives and other similar organizations. We understand well the realities of this type of project, including coordination, communication and expectations related to boards of directors and managers.

Booking, Payments and Cancellation Policy

How far in advance should I book my appointment?
This depends a lot on the time of year. In spring, which is usually our busiest period, we start taking appointments as early as March 1st, and it is often best to book 1 to 2 months in advance to have more choices. In fall, we also recommend booking about a month in advance. During the summer, our schedule is usually fully booked 2 to 4 weeks in advance consistently.

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

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

Are deposits required?
Yes, for most of our services, especially for new customers, a deposit is required to reserve a date on the schedule. If a new customer prefers not to pay a deposit, that is not a problem. However, no date will be officially reserved. In this case, the customer may be placed on a waiting list and we will contact them when a spot opens up according to our schedule.

Will you call before arriving?
No, not systematically. You will instead receive a reminder email approximately 24 hours before your appointment with important information to prepare for your service. This reminder often includes instructions such as moving objects near the building or in the work path and ensuring that windows are fully closed before our arrival.

Do you offer annual maintenance plans?
Yes. We offer recurring annual services for exterior siding washing, window washing and gutter cleaning. This allows you to keep your property clean regularly 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 for each type of cleaning, we invite you to consult the section"Satisfaction Guarantee"on our website.