Freeze-thaw cycles, road salt and wind-driven grit mean GTA homes come out of winter with a specific set of problems. Working through them in the right order saves repeating work — there is no point cleaning windows before the eaves above them get flushed.
1. Start at the roofline
- Clear eavestroughs of whatever went in after the fall cleaning, including shingle grit loosened over winter.
- Flush every downspout and confirm strong flow at the bottom.
- Look for sagging sections, separated seams and loose hangers — winter ice is what pulls these apart.
- Check that discharge extensions are still directing water away from the foundation.
2. Walk the foundation
- Look for soil that has settled toward the house and for erosion under downspouts.
- Check window wells for debris and standing water.
- Note any new cracks or damp lines on interior basement walls.
3. Wash the hard surfaces
Driveways, walkways, interlock and porch steps carry a winter of salt and sand. Washing them in spring is not only cosmetic: salt residue accelerates surface spalling on concrete and shifts jointing sand in interlock. Do this before the windows, since it throws spray.
4. Then the glass
- Windows inside and out, once the pollen and blossom drop has finished in May.
- Frames, sills and tracks — where the winter grit actually collects.
- Skylights, which show winter film more than any other glass in the house.
- Glass railings on decks and balconies, which pick up salt spray and hard-water spotting.
5. Finish with the details
- Check exterior caulking around windows and doors for winter splits.
- Test exterior taps for freeze damage before relying on them.
- Clear dryer and bathroom exhaust vents of debris and nesting.
- Trim branches that are now touching the roof or eaves.
What to leave to a crew
Ladder work above single-storey height, anything requiring roof access, and pressure washing on siding are where homeowners get hurt or cause damage. Pressure washing in particular does real harm when the wrong pressure or nozzle is used on soft materials — siding, wood decking and older mortar all need a gentler approach than a driveway.
Frequently asked questions
What order should spring exterior work go in?
Top down and dirty to clean: eaves and downspouts, then hard surfaces, then glass. Cleaning glass first means doing it twice.
How early in spring can this be done?
Eaves, downspouts and pressure washing can be done as soon as temperatures are consistently above freezing. Window cleaning is best held until pollen and blossom drop finish in May.
Can Northline do all of it in one visit?
Usually yes. Eavestrough clearing, downspout flushing, pressure washing and window cleaning can be scheduled together, which is both cheaper and less disruptive than separate visits.
Related services
- Window Cleaning in Toronto & the GTA
- Eavestrough Cleaning in Toronto & the GTA
- Pressure Washing in Toronto & the GTA
Areas mentioned
Exterior cleaning in Toronto,Exterior cleaning in Mississauga,Exterior cleaning in Markham,Exterior cleaning in Richmond Hill