How often should a strata building be pressure washed?

Short answer: most strata buildings in the Lower Mainland need exterior pressure washing once a year, with high-touch areas like entryways and parkade ramps done twice a year. Buildings under tree cover, near water, or on the shaded north side of a lot often need to go on a more frequent schedule.

Why the Lower Mainland's climate matters

Vancouver and the surrounding Lower Mainland get roughly 150 to 170 days of measurable rain per year, concentrated heavily between October and March. That constant moisture, combined with mild temperatures, is exactly what algae, moss and mildew need to establish themselves on siding, stucco, concrete and wood. Left alone, that buildup doesn't just look bad — it holds moisture against the building envelope, which accelerates wear on siding, sealant and paint.

A general schedule by area

• Siding, stucco & exterior walls: once a year, typically in spring or early summer after the wettest months have passed.
• Walkways, entryways & stairs: twice a year — these accumulate grime fastest since they get foot traffic on top of weather exposure, and moss on a walkway is a real slip hazard.
• Parkades & underground ramps: twice a year, more often if there's visible oil staining, road salt buildup from winter, or efflorescence (the white mineral staining that shows up on concrete).
• Roofs & gutters: checked at least once a year, usually paired with fall gutter cleaning before the rainy season starts.

What pushes a building off the standard schedule

A few factors mean a property needs pressure washing more often than the general schedule above:

• Heavy tree cover, which drops organic debris and blocks sun exposure that would otherwise dry surfaces out between rainfalls.
• North-facing walls and shaded courtyards, which stay damp longer than sun-exposed sides of the same building.
• Proximity to water or low-lying areas with higher ambient humidity.
• Visible green or black staining, which means algae or mildew is already established — waiting longer only makes it harder to remove without stronger chemical treatment.

Why this matters for strata councils specifically

Under the BC Strata Property Act, a strata corporation is responsible for maintaining and repairing common property and common assets. Deferred exterior cleaning doesn't just affect curb appeal — moss and algae buildup that's allowed to sit can contribute to premature siding and sealant failure, which turns a routine cleaning cost into a much larger repair or depreciation report line item down the road. A consistent annual or twice-yearly schedule is generally far cheaper than reactive cleaning after visible damage sets in.

Getting a schedule set for your building

TAKL Services provides exterior & seasonal maintenance — including pressure washing, roof & gutter cleaning and landscaping — for strata and commercial properties across the Lower Mainland. If your building doesn't have a set cleaning schedule yet, we can walk the property and recommend one based on its exposure, materials and history.