House washing is a low-pressure clean of the outside of your home: siding, soffits, trim and the faces of your gutters. Shine City Pressure Washing does it with a soft wash, where a cleaning solution lifts the green film, dark streaks and dirt and a gentle rinse carries them away. We are based in Surrey and wash homes across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, and we are 5-star rated with 300+ Google reviews.
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What a House Wash Includes
A house wash covers the whole exterior, not only the walls you see from the street. A standard visit includes:
- Siding on every side of the home, from the foundation up to the roofline
- Soffits and fascia, where cobwebs and mildew collect out of sight
- Gutter faces, including the black “tiger stripe” streaks that run down them
- Downspouts and trim, both PVC and painted
- Window frames and sills, plus a courtesy rinse of the glass to clear any overspray
- Cobwebs and accessible wasp nests, knocked down as we work around the house
A rinse is not the same as a proper clean of the glass, so many homeowners add window cleaning or gutter cleaning to the same visit. Ask about bundle pricing when you request your quote.
How We Wash a House, Step by Step
- Walk-around. We identify the siding material, look for loose panels or cracked caulking, and make sure windows and doors are shut.
- Soak the garden. Plants, lawn and beds beside the house are wetted down with fresh water before any solution goes on.
- Apply the cleaning solution. A low-pressure sprayer coats the siding with a professional-grade solution made to break down algae, mould, mildew and dirt.
- Let it dwell. The solution sits for several minutes so it reaches the growth at its root. This is the step that does the cleaning.
- Low-pressure rinse. We rinse the loosened growth and the solution off the house, rinse the windows, water the plants again and finish with a final walk-around.
Why low pressure on siding?
A pressure washer is the right tool for a driveway. Pointed at a wall, that same force can strip paint, crack siding, splinter wood, damage window seals and push water in behind the cladding. Soft washing works at a fraction of that pressure and lets the solution do the work, which is why every Shine City house wash is a soft wash. Our guide to pressure washing vs. soft washing covers the difference in detail, and our soft washing page explains the method. For concrete, patios and other hard surfaces, see pressure washing.
Siding Types We Clean
Each material reacts differently to water and cleaning solution, so we adjust the solution strength, the dwell time and the rinse to suit the wall in front of us.
- Vinyl: prone to green algae, mildew and oxidation. Low pressure avoids forcing water behind the panels.
- Hardie board and fibre cement: the textured face holds dirt and algae in its grooves. A gentle wash lifts it without chipping the painted finish.
- Stucco: porous, so it shows dark streaks and green growth quickly, and it can crack under high pressure.
- Wood siding and shingles, including cedar: the easiest material to damage with pressure. Soft washing cleans it without raising the grain or stripping the stain.
- Aluminum: tends to chalk and water-stain. It is cleaned without denting or scratching.
- Brick and stone veneer: collects moss, algae and white mineral deposits, most often on north-facing walls.
Why Houses Here Turn Green
Wet winters and mild temperatures mean algae, mildew and moss can grow on a Lower Mainland home in every season. The pattern is predictable: a green film on north-facing and shaded walls, dark streaks below the gutters, moss in crevices and on textured surfaces, and a grey layer of road dust and exhaust on walls that face traffic. Homes under trees or near water tend to green up fastest.
It is more than a cosmetic problem. Growth holds moisture against the wall, and over time that contributes to peeling paint and rot in wood. If moss has also taken hold on the shingles, roof cleaning is a separate service worth booking alongside the wash.
How Often and When to Wash
Most homes in our area need a wash every one to two years. Shaded homes and homes surrounded by trees usually do best on a yearly schedule, while a house with good sun and airflow can often go two years.
Spring is the most popular time, because it clears what winter left behind. Early fall is the other strong choice: it removes summer pollen and dust before the rain returns. The work can be done year-round, though, and demand is lowest in winter, so dates are easier to get.
House Washing Before You Sell
The outside of a home is the first thing a buyer sees, in the listing photos and from the curb. Washing the exterior before you list is one of the more cost-effective ways to improve that first impression, and it is also the usual first step before exterior painting. Our pre-sale house washing page explains how we handle homes going on the market.
House Washing Pricing
The price of a house wash depends on the size of the home, the number of storeys, the siding type and the condition of the walls. Difficult access, such as a steep slope or obstacles around the perimeter, can also affect it.
Example quote from our calculator (calculated October 3, 2026): 180 linear ft perimeter, 2-storey detached vinyl house in average condition: $420 before GST. Your property and selected services determine your personal quote.
For a fuller explanation of what moves the price up or down, read the house washing cost guide. Quotes are free and carry no obligation.
House Washing by City
We wash houses throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Choose your city:
- Surrey
- Vancouver
- Burnaby
- Langley
- Coquitlam
- Richmond
- Delta
- North Vancouver
- New Westminster
- Port Coquitlam
- Port Moody
- Maple Ridge
- Pitt Meadows
- White Rock
- Abbotsford
Neighbourhoods: Cloverdale, Fleetwood, Guildford, Newton, South Surrey, Willoughby, Fort Langley, Brentwood, Metrotown, Burke Mountain, Lonsdale, Lynn Valley, Deep Cove and Steveston.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will house washing damage my siding or paint?
No. We do not use high pressure on siding. The cleaning solution loosens the growth and a low-pressure rinse removes it, so paint, caulking and finishes are left intact.
Is the wash safe for my plants?
We soak plants, lawn and garden beds with fresh water before the wash, keep them wet while we work and rinse them again afterward, which dilutes anything that reaches them.
How long does a house wash take?
Most homes take between an hour and a half and three hours. Large or heavily soiled homes take a little longer.
Do I need to be home?
No. We need access to the outside of the house, including any locked gates, and a working outdoor tap. Please close all windows and doors and keep pets inside. We send before-and-after photos when the job is finished.
Can you wash a house in the rain?
Yes. Light to moderate rain does not change the process or the result. We reschedule only for heavy downpours or high winds.
Is Shine City insured?
Yes. We carry commercial liability insurance, and our employees are covered by WCB.
Get a House Washing Quote
Tell us about your home and we will send a free, no-obligation quote. Call Shine City Pressure Washing at (604) 229-5354 or use the fast quote form. Have a question first? Reach us through the contact page.