Vancouver’s snowless winter and what it means for your home exterior
Vancouver’s snowless skyline
This could be the first winter in 43 years that Vancouver does not have to deal with snow!
This winter was unusual for Vancouver.
No snow. No freeze-thaw cycles. No long stretches of cold. Instead, we had weeks of mild temperatures and repeated rainstorms.
While it felt easy on us, it wasn’t easy on our homes.
In fact, this kind of winter creates the perfect conditions for exterior buildup, and most homeowners are only starting to notice it now.
Why a warm, wet winter is harder on exterior surfaces
Cold, dry winters tend to slow everything down.
This one did the opposite.
Constant moisture combined with mild temperatures allowed:
Algae, moss, and lichen to grow continuously instead of going dormant
Organic grime to bond more deeply into concrete and siding
Moisture to linger on shaded surfaces far longer than usual
That’s why driveways look darker than normal, and why siding feels dull even though winter “wasn’t that bad.”
It wasn’t harsh — it was active.
The rain didn’t clean anything — It fed the problem!
A common assumption is that rain rinses surfaces clean.
In reality, rain:
Carries airborne pollutants onto siding
Keeps organic growth alive and spreading
Pushes dirt deeper into porous materials like concrete
Instead of washing things away, this winter’s rainstorms created ideal conditions for buildup to establish itself early — and thoroughly.
With no snow and sustained mild temperatures, exterior growth is behaving like it’s spring.
That means:
Algae and moss are already established
Staining on concrete has had months to settle in
Siding hasn’t had a “reset” period
The upside?
This is actually a great opportunity to get ahead of the season.
Driveway cleaning after a wet winter
Driveways always take the brunt of it.
Warm, damp conditions encourage slippery algae and dark staining, especially in shaded or north-facing areas. Left untreated, this buildup becomes harder to remove later in the year. Even if you can tolerate the eyesore, you now have to worry about neighbours or even yourself slipping on that slime!
Professional driveway cleaning removes what rain can’t — restoring brightness, improving traction, and slowing regrowth before peak season hits.
House washing: A seasonal reset
House washing after a winter like this isn’t about aesthetics — it’s about prevention.
Removing organic growth early helps:
Protect siding and finishes
Prevent moisture-related wear
Keep buildup from accelerating through spring and summer
It’s essentially a reset button after an unusually active winter.
With Vancouver already feeling like it’s skipped ahead to spring, early cleaning is gentler, more effective, and easier to schedule than waiting until peak season.
Addressing buildup now keeps surfaces healthier for the months ahead — and avoids the need for more aggressive cleaning later.
The Takeaway
This winter may have felt mild, but it quietly did a lot of work on exterior surfaces.
If your driveway looks darker than usual or your siding seems tired already, you’re not imagining it — you’re just seeing the result of a warm, rain-heavy season.
Getting ahead of it now is the easiest way to protect your home and start spring fresh.
Briteworx is running a February promotion now. Driveway cleaning starting at $199, and housewashes starting at $599. Book before end of the month, and schedule the service anytime within the next 6 months. Additionally, we’re throwing in an extra 10% off the total price if you decide to tag on any additional exterior cleaning services.
Unsure what needs to be done? Contact us today for a free estimate!