Pressure Washing in Nanaimo

Safe at high pressure: concrete, block paving, natural stone (with care), brick in good condition, metal fences and gutter exteriors. Needs low pressure or soft washing: painted surfaces, render, timber decking, vinyl or fibre-cement siding, roofs, and old or repointed brickwork. Never pressure wash: single-glazed windows at close range, electrical fittings, or asbestos-containing materials.

Most pros charge either by the hour or by surface area. A single driveway or patio is typically a 1-3 hour job at the low end of a pro's minimum call-out, while a full house exterior wash costs several times more. Get the quote broken down by surface (driveway, walls, deck, roof) so you can drop items to fit your budget.

It is one of the cheapest kerb-appeal upgrades before selling or renting out a property. Estate agents consistently list exterior cleaning among the highest return-on-cost pre-sale jobs because it changes first impressions for a few hundred, not a few thousand. It will not fix structural issues, but it makes photos and viewings noticeably better.

High-pressure washing damages most roof coverings — it strips granules from asphalt shingles, cracks and dislodges tiles, and can force water under the covering. Roof cleaning should be done by soft washing or manual moss removal plus a biocide treatment. If a company proposes blasting your roof at full pressure, choose someone else.

Yes. Too much pressure or the wrong nozzle can etch concrete, blast mortar out of brick joints, splinter timber decking, strip paint, and force water behind siding or render. Roof tiles are especially vulnerable. Ask the pro what PSI and nozzle they plan to use per surface, and whether they soft wash delicate areas.

Light rain is usually fine — surfaces are already wet. Pros avoid freezing temperatures (ice risk on cleaned surfaces and damaged equipment) and heavy storms. In hot dry regions, local water restrictions can limit or ban high-volume outdoor cleaning during drought periods, so check the current rules before booking.

Roughly April to October in most provinces — pros stop when temperatures approach freezing because wet surfaces become ice hazards and equipment can freeze. That short season means spring slots book out weeks ahead; fall is often easier to schedule.

A typical single-storey house wash runs roughly $250-$500, and driveways $130-$400 depending on size and staining. Expect quotes 10-20% above US prices in dollar terms, with Toronto and Vancouver at the top of the range.