The difference between 'pressure washing' and 'soft washing' really comes down to the amount of water pressure being applied. We use the term 'power washing' to encompass both methods of surface cleaning. We use low pressure to clean more delicate surfaces, such as the siding on a house or on a wood fene or deck in order to clean, but not damage the surface. For something like concrete, higher water pressures are used in order to blast away grime, stains and other dirty buildup. Our machines are adjustable and by using different nozzles, we can cover the full range of pressures required to clean just about any surface.
In order to keep the cost of services as low as possible, we'll use your home water supply for power washing. (For window cleaning, we do use pure filtered water to ensure no minerals or other dissolved solids leave 'water spots' on your glass).
For some perspective, a 2000 square foot home will take about 550 to 750 litres (~150 to 200 gallons) of water to clean, on average. Based on Aurora's 2024 water rates, it would translate to about $3.00 to $4.15 in water to clean the exterior of a 2000 square foot home. (We factor this into our pricing model). The cost of trucking water in to clean your home would be significantly higher.
Our systems virtually eliminate any water waste: We use a small buffer tank with a float valve to regulate water flow. This ensures the power washing machines have enough water for the flow rate they require, but just enough. A bypass valve on the pump diverts water back to the buffer tank when the machine is running, but isn't actively 'cleaning'.
Most exterior surfaces like concrete, brick, siding, wood decks, fences, patios, and driveways can be pressure washed — with the right technique. However, surfaces in poor condition may make using higher pressure unsafe. (Think of blasting a crumbling concrete driveway with jets of high pressure). We'll asses the surface condition and either augment our approach to cleaning, or recommend alternatives.
Yes! Our methods target and kill organic growth at the root to help keep it from coming back too soon. These organisms are part of our environment, but once they get established on a welcoming serfuce, they tend to spread and cover it rather quickly. If certain surfaces around your property are more prone to algae and mold and mildew buildup, we recommend more regular "maintenance" cleans rather than waiting until it takes over.
We take every precaution to protect your landscaping and animals. Period. In some cases, water and mild surfactant is enough to properly clean a surface. In others, it just won't do the job.
Some of the cleaning agents we use — such as mild acids and alkaline detergents — can be harmful if applied directly to plants, are not diluted properly or if the proper preparation and precautions aren't used. With proper technique, the risk to plants and pets is minimal.
- Our cleaning solutions are diluted to only the strength required for each job.
- Our site preparation protocols involve soaking nearby plants and grass before, during and after cleaning.
- Sensitive plants nearby are covered and protected from any potential overspray or mist.
If you have specific concerns about pets, edible gardens, or sensitive shrubs, we’re happy to walk you through our process and how these chemicals break down and neutralize before starting the job.
The answer depends on so many factors, but most homes benefit from an annual cleaning. High-traffic or shaded areas might need more frequent service, whereas some may only need a 'maintenance clean' every 2 to 3 years.
Not necessarily. As long as we have access to the areas being cleaned and a water source, you don’t need to be home.
It depends on the size of the job, but most residential homes can be completed in 1 to 3 hours.
Yes! Our pressure washing machines are more powerful and efficient, producing higher volumes of water at the required pressure. We build our own machines using commercial components so that they achieve the performance requirements we need.
Consumer grade pressure washers tend to produce lower volumes of water, but at high pressures. (ie. 1 to 3 GPM, or 'gallons per minute at 4000 PSI). Higher water volume with lower pressure is the key when it comes to cleaning large surface areas and is critical in protecting many surface types. Brick and concrete can take those high pressures, but is only really required in certain situations.
We clean the glass, wipe down the frame and sill, and clear insect-related debris such as cobwebs and cocoons as part of our basic window cleaning service. You also have these options, depending on your needs:
Twice a year is common for homeowners — usually spring and fall.
We primarily use traditional squeegee methods for crystal-clear results, with extension poles (and sometimes ladders) for higher windows. This allows us to focus on detail and easily switch to the right scrubber type for the task at hand. Water-fed systems are fantastic tools, but make it difficult to see tough debris on upper floors from the outside.
Rain alone won’t immediately spot clean, smooth glass. The culprit tends to be when the rain kicks up dirt from the sill or surrounding area. This is almost entirely mitigated by wiping down the window frames and sills as part of our Full Service window cleaning. This is why we offer the 7-day Rain Spot Guarantee on the Full Service (Inside & Outside or Outside Only) window cleaning packages.
Many service providers simply apply chlorine bleach and / or high pressure water to get quick results. This is the same process they'd use for cleaning concrete.
- Chlorine bleach strips the wood of its lignin which is the glue that holds the fibres together and provides some protection from outside elements taking root in the wood. It also bleaches the wood to a pale version of itself.
- High pressure water may remove dirt and grime, but it also peels the surface fibres up, which either creates a 'furred' surface, or makes it worse if it was already an issue. In both cases, it's a recipe for accelerated drying, biological growth and rot.
Valkyrie's Wood Restoration Process:
1) First, we soak the wood with water so that it's saturated. This keeps the cleaning agent on the outer layers where it can be properly rinsed off.
2) We use a cleaning solution that does not harm the wood's lignin or bleach out the colour. Combined with scrubbing heavily soiled areas, this solution removes dirt, algae, mold and even the grey layer of oxidation, all while preserving the integrity of the wood. This is then rinsed thoroughly with lower pressure, but higher volume.
3) Another solution is applied which addresses three things: a) Wood brightener to bring to bring out the wood's natural colour, b) PH balancer, and c) Rust stain remover. This is also flushed thoroughly with water at lower pressure to leave nothing but the wood with its own healthy colour tone.
We don’t provide staining, sealing, or painting services ourselves, but we understand that proper surface preparation is essential for those steps. If you’re working with a contractor or handyman for the finishing work, we’re happy to coordinate with them to ensure the project runs smoothly — aligning on goals, methods, and timelines for the best results.
We take every precaution to protect your landscaping and animals. Period. In some cases, water and mild surfactant is enough to properly clean a surface. In others, it just won't do the job.
Some of the cleaning agents we use — such as mild acids and alkaline detergents — can be harmful if applied directly to plants, are not diluted properly or if the proper preparation and precautions aren't used. With proper technique, the risk to plants and pets is minimal.
- Our cleaning solutions are diluted to only the strength required for each job.
- Our site preparation protocols involve soaking nearby plants and grass before, during and after cleaning.
- Sensitive plants nearby are covered and protected from any potential overspray or mist.
If you have specific concerns about pets, edible gardens, or sensitive shrubs, we’re happy to walk you through our process and how these chemicals break down and neutralize before starting the job.
The average cost to build a new wood deck in Ontario can start around $7500 for a small, basic design. For a pressure treated wood fence, it can be in the range of $30 to $50 per linear foot. Cleaning and restoring is a fraction of the cost and can be a solid, cost effective option if the wood itself is in good condition. It can be done in one day and no permits are required.
