Exterior-cleaning FAQs · Straight answers before you book
Exterior cleaning questions, answered.
Find practical answers about suitable surfaces, pricing factors, preparation, expected results and commercial exterior cleaning.
Every property is different. Where the surface or condition matters, photos help us give a more useful answer.
Jump to a topic
Start with the question behind the project.
01 / Services + suitability
The surface decides the approach.
Different materials, finishes and conditions should not be treated as if they are the same.
What exterior surfaces do you currently clean?
West Wave currently reviews patios and pavers, suitable driveways and concrete, paver-joint weed cleanup, and selected deck and fence surfaces. We also review customer-facing exterior areas at businesses and managed properties. Photos help confirm whether a specific material and condition fit the service.
Do you use high pressure on every surface?
No. The proposed method depends on the material, finish, age and visible condition. Pressure, distance and tools should fit the surface; delicate, deteriorated or coated areas may require a different approach or may be excluded.
Is power washing the same as pressure washing?
The terms are often used interchangeably by customers. West Wave uses “pressure washing” and “exterior cleaning,” then chooses the proposed method around the actual surface, finish and condition rather than the label used in the search.
Can pressure washing damage a surface?
Incorrect technique can mark concrete, disturb paver joints, damage wood fibres or affect loose coatings. West Wave reviews visible wear, cracks, loose material and finishes before confirming the scope. Cleaning does not repair pre-existing damage.
Can I combine several areas in one quote?
Yes. Include every requested area—such as a patio, walkway and driveway—in the same enquiry. Combining them lets the access, preparation and complete scope be reviewed together.
Can you clean sealed, painted, stained or composite surfaces?
Possibly, after the product or finish and its condition are reviewed. Share the brand and age if known, plus close photos of worn or loose areas. A gentler method, a small test area or excluding the surface may be the responsible next step.
02 / Quotes + pricing
A useful quote starts with useful context.
Exact measurements are helpful, but they are not required to begin.
How do I request a quote?
Send your name, mobile number, postal code and the closest service. Add a short description and photos if available. West Wave will review the details and confirm whether more information or an on-site look is needed.
How much does pressure washing cost?
There is no accurate one-price answer without the property details. Cost can change with the area, material, condition, buildup or stain type, access, obstacles, drainage and added work such as paver-joint cleanup. The written quote identifies the agreed areas and included work rather than relying on surface area alone.
Can you quote from photos?
Clear photos can often support an initial quote. Send wide views of the full area, close-ups of the heaviest buildup or damage, and access points. Larger, unusual or access-sensitive projects may still need an on-site review.
What is included in the quote?
Your written quote identifies the surfaces and work included. Setup, cleaning, rinsing, weed cleanup, moving items, stain treatments, joint sand, sealing or repairs are included only when stated in that scope.
Do I need exact measurements?
No. Approximate dimensions or a rough description are enough to start. Photos and the property address can help clarify the scale, and West Wave will confirm if more precise information is needed.
03 / Preparing for service
Clear access makes the visit simpler.
Project-specific preparation is confirmed before the appointment.
How should I prepare the area?
Move vehicles and portable furniture, planters and small items away from the agreed area. Close nearby windows and doors, unlock required gates, and identify fragile objects, irrigation, electrical fixtures, ponds or known damage. Heavy items can be discussed before the appointment.
Do you need access to my water?
Standard washing projects normally require access to a functioning outdoor cold-water tap. Mention a well, low water flow, a missing outdoor tap or access restrictions when requesting the quote so the setup can be reviewed before scheduling.
Do I need to be home?
Not always, once the scope and access arrangements are confirmed. Someone may need to be available when an area is locked, the surface is uncertain or a change needs approval. Any property-specific requirement will be discussed before the appointment.
What happens if rain is forecast?
Light rain does not automatically cancel every exterior-cleaning project. Heavy rain, lightning, freezing conditions, unsafe footing or weather that prevents the agreed work may require rescheduling. West Wave will confirm any change rather than ask you to guess.
How long will the work take?
Timing depends on the area, buildup, access, detail work and any joint or weed cleanup. An expected work window can be discussed with the quote; one universal appointment length would not be accurate for every property.
04 / Results + aftercare
Cleaning can improve a surface. It cannot rewrite its condition.
The realistic outcome depends on what the material has absorbed, lost or already endured.
Will every stain come out or look brand new?
No complete-removal or like-new result is promised. General dirt and organic buildup commonly improve, while oil, rust, tannins, mineral deposits, paint, tire marks, deep discolouration and wear may remain or require a separately approved treatment.
Will cleaning remove sand between my pavers?
Some loose or depleted joint material can move during cleaning. The approach is intended to limit unnecessary loss, but zero sand movement cannot be promised. Replacement joint sand is included only when it appears as a separate quote item.
Will paver-joint weeds come back?
They can. Joint and edge cleanup improves the current appearance but is not permanent weed prevention. Moisture, shade, nearby soil, joint condition and windblown seeds all affect regrowth. West Wave currently describes this as mechanical cleanup, not herbicide treatment.
Are cleaning products safe around plants, children and pets?
The products and precautions depend on the surface and type of buildup. Nearby vegetation, ponds and sensitive drainage should be identified during quoting, and people and animals should remain outside the active work area until it has been rinsed and is ready for normal use.
How often should exterior surfaces be cleaned?
There is no single schedule for every property. Shade, drainage, tree cover, traffic, surface material and the amount of buildup all affect timing. A useful approach is to inspect the area regularly and request cleaning when buildup begins to affect appearance, traction or routine maintenance.
When can the area be used again?
For cleaning-only work, keep people and pets away while equipment is present and the surface is wet. Normal use generally resumes after rinsing and safe drainage or drying. Any added sand, coating or treatment would have its own instructions.
Does cleaning repair cracks, loose pavers or damaged wood?
No. Cleaning may make existing wear easier to see, but concrete repair, paver levelling, structural work, board replacement and refinishing are separate from the cleaning scope unless specifically quoted.
05 / Commercial properties
Useful details for a clearer site quote.
Commercial enquiries are reviewed around access, pedestrians, drainage and the requested service window.
Which commercial properties can you review?
West Wave welcomes enquiries for suitable exterior areas at local storefronts, offices, strata properties and other managed sites. The requested surfaces and operational needs are reviewed before fit is confirmed.
Can work be planned around business operations?
Share pedestrian activity, tenant access, deliveries and preferred timing in the enquiry. A workable service window can then be discussed; after-hours or weekend availability is not guaranteed until it is confirmed in writing.
Is a site visit required before quoting?
Not for every enquiry. Clear photos, approximate dimensions and access details may be enough to begin, while larger or more complex sites may need an on-site review before the written scope is finalized.
Can I enquire about recurring maintenance?
Yes. Include the property, requested areas and preferred frequency. West Wave can review the enquiry without assuming a fixed maintenance program before the site and scope are understood.
Where do you provide service?
West Wave currently accepts enquiries in South Surrey, White Rock, and Langley City and the Township of Langley. Nearby addresses are reviewed from the postal code, municipality and project scope.
Still not sure?
Show us the surface. We’ll help define the next step.
A short description and postal code are enough to begin. Add wide and close-up photos if you have them.