October 2024
You know the building façade has been severely damaged if pieces of your building, or windows, start falling and possibly injuring people. It is safer and more economical to prevent this level of damage with regular maintenance and cleaning.
Your building is constantly exposed to dirt, grime and other damaging contaminants. In the Toronto and GTA region, the biggest problem is the freeze-and-thaw cycle which allows moisture to enter building materials via cracks and crevices, cause damage as it freezes and expands, and enter a building as it melts.
Buildings near the ocean are in greatest danger from salt concentration. Those in more tropical regions deal with strong sun which causes fading and a breakdown of some building materials.
Buildings in suburban areas, and cities with many trees, are often forced to contend with black and green algae, and construction debris. The shady side of buildings can attract green algae from trees which will break down building materials.
Shrubbery planted too close to a building will block out sunlight which creates an ideal environment for mould and mildew to flourish
Shrubbery planted too close to a building will block out sunlight which creates an ideal environment for mould and mildew to flourish. There should be space between buildings and landscaped areas including tree branches. Loose downspouts, which direct water from gutters, don’t drain properly and cause spotting on brick. Brick absorbs water which affects the grout and mortar.
Regardless of where you live, universal pollutants such as city grime, car exhaust fumes and bird poop cause staining, discoloration and other forms of wear on a façade. A strong sun can cause fading and breakdown of building materials. Strong winds cause damage as they impact with a building or blow objects against the façade.
Removal of graffiti and mildew requires special chemicals that will not damage building materials. Regular maintenance and cleaning are necessary to protect buildings from salt damage.
The best time for a full façade cleaning is late spring or early fall when the weather is not too hot or cold. External building maintenance and cleaning will extend the life of your building structure which can cost millions of dollars to rebuild once damage is so extensive it can no longer be repaired.
