If you’re looking to give your property a visual makeover with some much-needed cleansing, you’ve probably come across solutions advertised as pressure washing, power washing, and soft washing. While all may sound like the same thing, there are differences between the terms. Today, we’ll go over what’s involved with each and shed light as to what is right for home maintenance or your businesses’ exterior surfaces.
What’s the Difference Between Pressure Washing and Power Washing?
The primary difference between pressure washing and power washing is heat. The jet wash in a power washing machine utilized heated water, whereas the water in a pressure washer is not heated.
Pressurized water is uniquely able to clean large surfaces, effectively cleaning them by removing dirt, dust, mud, salt, mold, chewing gum…the list goes on. High-pressure water is ideal for:
- Resident and commercial exterior facades
- Sidewalks, walkways, patios, and driveway
- Public spaces such as stadiums, plazas, and parking garages
- Cars, trucks, boats, and other vehicles.
The advantage of a power washer is felt most clearly in tough-to-clean spots with serious dirt and grime, like mildew, salt, and grease. Heated water makes it easy to clean surfaces; this rings especially true when you think about doing dishes or washing your hands. It is particularly recommended on surfaces that will not be damaged by power washing, like concrete or cement.
What About Soft Washing?
Soft washing uses low-pressure nozzles at the end of a pressure washer and involves using biodegradable cleaning chemicals that removes mold, algae, pollen, dirt, moss, and more without risking the structural integrity of your home’s exterior surfaces or killing your plants. Soft washing your home also works to maintain paint and masonry longer.
All in all, soft washing is your best bet when looking for a thorough clean without damaging anything.
Which Technique Is Right for Your Surfaces?
Pressure Washing
Pressure washing is fairly straightforward; there are no heat controls or additives to worry about here. Reserve it for solid, hard surfaces like concrete, stone, and tile. You’d be surprised at the night-and-day transformation that can happen when you take this high-pressure cleaning method to surfaces you may not have even realized have lost their luster over time.
The sheer intensity of pressure washing can be a blessing, but pointed toward something a bit too fragile, and it quickly devolves into a curse. Anything porous, delicate, or flexible runs the risk of being damaged. It’s best to avoid pressure washing painted material and softer wood products.
Power Washing
Power washing is best used for especially stubborn situations. Getting grease and oil stains off of surfaces and powering through mold and mildew requires heat that power washing brings to the table. Loosening stuck-on debris, grime, or gunk from most types of home exteriors is best taken to task with power washing.
Soft Washing
Prime surfaces and exterior elements to implement this cleaning solution include:
- Stucco, coquina, or vinyl sidings
- Cedar shake sidings, wood panel sidings, and other soft siding materials
- Outdoor wood furniture, screens, and enclosures
- Decks
- Roofs
- Fences
Ready to hire a professional to learn more about pressure washing, power washing, and soft washing methods that will work wonders for your exteriors? Reach out to our team today! Our specialists have the resources and expertise to restore aesthetics, protect your property’s features, and make the most out of your investment. For additional information about pressure washing in Yorktown, VA, and the surrounding communities or commercial exterior cleaning, contact us today.
