Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing
When your property’s exterior becomes dirty, you’ll need to take action. However, it’s not always clear what sort of action you should take. Many property owners rely on pressure washing to restore exterior surfaces. At the same time, you’ve probably heard talk about soft washing, too. So, which of these techniques is better? And what’s the difference between these processes anyway? In this blog, we’ll compare pressure washing vs. soft washing—that way, you can choose the best one for your project.
We are Elite Pressure Washing, a local business that specializes in both pressure washing and soft washing. We are prepared to teach you more about these processes, and if needed, you can even reach out to us for a professional appointment.
Why Surface Cleaning Is Necessary
Pressure washing and soft washing are ultimately solutions to the same problem. That problem, of course, is dirty exterior surfaces. But what makes cleaning these surfaces necessary in the first place? Over time, they will collect debris. This is unavoidable for exterior surfaces because the outside world is a messy place. What sorts of debris will you discover on your property’s exterior? Expect to find dirt, mud, pollen, moss, mold, algae, and many other unwanted substances.
The longer your surfaces go without being cleaned, the dirtier they will become. This has distinct negative consequences. Firstly, dirty surfaces look worse, reducing your property’s curb appeal. Additionally, debris wears down your surfaces over time, increasing the need for costly repairs. We highly recommend that you have your property exterior cleaned once per year to avoid this.
What Is Pressure Washing?
Before we compare pressure washing vs. soft washing, it’s important that we have a better understanding of each of these processes. Let’s start with pressure washing. Pressure washing is a highly versatile cleaning technique that relies on the power of pressurized water. Pressure washing uses as much as 3,500 PSI, allowing for the easy removal of debris on durable surfaces. There’s a reason pressure washing is trusted by property owners all over the world!
What Is Soft Washing?
Now that we have a better understanding of pressure washing, what is soft washing? Soft washing is an alternative to pressure washing that uses low-pressure water. This makes it the ideal choice for surfaces that are too delicate to be pressure washed. Soft washing also uses cleaning solutions such as sodium hypochlorite to break down tough grime. This makes it so soft washing can remove all debris despite using less water pressure than pressure washing.
What Is the Best Choice For My Project?
Determining whether to use pressure washing vs. soft washing is not always easy. This is especially true if you have never had to make this decision before. Here’s the summarized version—more durable surfaces can be pressure washed, and more fragile surfaces should be soft washed instead. This allows you to ensure quality results without avoiding any risk of damage along the way.
Here are a few examples of surfaces that you can clean with the pressure washing process:
- Hardwood Decks. Hardwood is a durable material that you will be able to easily restore with pressure washing. When pressure washing decks, be sure to fully restore not just floorboards but also railings, stairs, and nearby walls.
- Concrete Driveways. Concrete is tough enough to be pressure washed with 3,000+ PSI without becoming damaged. Other concrete surfaces you can clean include sidewalks, parking lots, and parking garages.
- Metal Fences. Metal such as iron and steel is sturdy enough to be pressure washed without becoming scratched or scraped in the process.
Now, on the other side of the coin, here are some surfaces that you should soft wash:
- Painted Surfaces. Pressure washing a painted surface will often lead to the paint peeling away. To prevent this from happening, soft wash the surfaces instead with a gentle amount of water pressure (150 to 350 PSI).
- Roofs. When roofs are pressure washed, it forces water beneath shingles/tiles and forces them upwards. With roof soft washing, you will safely remove debris from roofs and ensure their complete cleanliness.
- Vinyl Siding. Vinyl is a delicate material that can become warped when treated with too much water pressure. Use soft washing instead for the best results.
About DIY Pressure Washing and Soft Washing
Are you planning to clean your property’s exterior on your own? If so, you need to be prepared for the work that lies ahead. You’ll need to take time out of your schedule for the work, and you’ll need to make sure you have all the correct equipment. (This includes a pressure washer, cleaning solutions, safety gear, and more.) Finally, you will need to do all the necessary physical labor, which can leave you feeling fatigued by the time you complete the project.
As difficult as DIY exterior cleaning can be, it is also rewarding. By doing the work on your own, you won’t have to pay a team of professionals to handle the project for you. What you do with this saved money is ultimately up to you.
Need Professional Services?
Still unsure whether pressure washing or soft washing is the right choice for your project? Want to avoid this work and receive service from trained professionals? If so, Elite Pressure Washing is the right business for you. We are Tampa, FL’s pressure washing and soft washing experts, and it would be our pleasure to lend you a hand—that way, your property can look its best, and you won’t have to do any of the work.
To get started, simply contact us online with information about your project. That way, we can determine if pressure washing or soft washing is the correct approach, and we can provide you with a free cost estimate. Then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment.