Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing
It is shocking just how dirty the siding, wood or brick of your home can get during a year. Some of the most typical stains include dirt or mud splatter, algae, mold and mildew. These stains will give any home an unkempt, uncared for look, regardless of if you invest time, money and care into it.
Some materials, like dirt or mud, are harmless, but algae and mold can be damaging to both your health and your home. These contaminants produce allergens that can affect your family, and some, like algae, can grow underneath vinyl or roofing material and enter into your home.
As a professional power washing service in Louisville, we recommend you have your home’s exterior cleaned once a year. The spring season is typically the most popular time to do an intense home exterior washing, but you can really do it any time so long as the weather allows.
WHAT NEEDS PRESSURE WASHING?
All of the following home surfaces need to be cleaned from time to time:
• Vinyl siding
• Rock and stone
• Brick
• Concrete and asphalt
Power washing used to be the only option to thoroughly clean vinyl siding, brick and painted home surfaces. Now, homeowners have another option for exterior home cleaning: soft washing.
Like the names imply, one method is a lot gentler than the other one, but there’s more to it than just that. Let’s cover the features of each to help you judge which is best for your home.
WHAT IS SOFT WASHING?
The soft wash method uses much less power than a typical pressure washer, hence the name. The highest water pressure in a soft washing system is 500 PSI. This lower spray is generated from a nozzle with a wider spray setting, only slightly more powerful than your typical backyard garden hose.
Soft washing uses detergent, bleach and water in some combination to get rid of organic matter and debris from your home, roof and other outdoor surfaces. The cleaning mixture used in a soft washing system can include algaecides and residual inhibitors which will deter further growth of these organisms in the future.
Because chemicals, not water pressure, are key to cleaning the exterior surfaces, no powerful water is needed. This means that soft washing should be used for more delicate surfaces that could otherwise be damaged by harsher pressure washing.
The soft wash chemicals are sometimes rinsed off, but not always. This just depends on what type of chemicals are used in the process, if there is plant or animal life that can be affected by the runoff, and if the solution itself is powerful enough to damage surfaces over time.
Soft washing provides the advantage of getting into cracks and crevices to eliminate unseen organisms, meaning that its results can last much longer than traditional power washing.
WHAT IS PRESSURE WASHING?
Pressure washing has always been the gold standard for cleaning home exterior surfaces. It is highly effective and quick, which is why a lot of home and business owners prefer it over soft washing.
This particular cleaning method uses water only, no chemicals, to eliminate stains and mold from home exterior surfaces. The use of plain water is a significant advantage to home owners who don’t want to use cleaning chemicals, whether for the sake of the environment or to avoid zoning violations.
It can be used on many different materials. Home owners often choose power washing for cleaning their driveway, patio, decks, walkways and outdoor furniture because it is fast, more efficient and affordable.
Pressure washing needs anywhere from 1300 to 3100 PSI water pressure with water sprayed out of a tiny nozzle for the most power. Both organic and inorganic materials are sprayed from your home’s exterior surface, preventing their growth and renewing the curb appeal of your home.
One negative about power washing is that the water can sometimes be too powerful and can damage the surfaces of your home you’re attempting to clean. Pressure washing is powerful enough to put grooves into wood and plastic, and it can push into cracks, breaking off chunks of stone or brick.
IS PRESSURE WASHING OR SOFT WASHING BETTER?
The ultimate question for most homeowners is, “Is pressure washing or soft washing better?”
Both soft washing and pressure washing methods are good choices for your home’s exterior, as well as sidewalks, driveways and more. Both cleaning systems can be performed by a professional – and honestly, are more correctly done when left to the pros.
Soft washing is excellent for outdoor toys, yard tools, shingle roofs, decks, gutters, patios and painted surfaces because it is less likely to damage wood and plastic. It’s also a safe and smart choice for vinyl siding.
It eliminates organisms that are present on the exterior surface, and it stops future growth for much longer than power washing can.
A disadvantage of soft washing is that it can kill plant life underneath the surface you’re cleaning. Remember to spray them with water right before putting the soft wash chemicals on your home or roof, and it won’t be an issue.
Pressure washing is the preferred method for severe stains, and harder surfaces like concrete, brick and stone. Pressure washing is the preferred process for commercial properties. A professional pressure washing service in Louisville might use a mix of chemicals and water pressure to clean offf problematic stains, but they should let you know if they will be using chemicals after your estimate.
It can also be used on siding too (and has been for several years) so long as it is done safely. High water pressure can break off fragile or small pieces of vinyl. A local company that does power washing all the time will know how to protect vulnerable pieces, but a first-timer might do a lot of damage.
Your home’s roof is definitely off limits for power washing if you have slate, tile or asphalt shingles. The pressure of the water might ruin these materials and require you to replace your home’s roof a lot earlier than expected.
Choosing between pressure washing or soft washing is best left for a professional pressure washing service. Which process is right for your home? Give Louisville Pressure Wash Plus a call at 502-305-5407 and we’ll send an experienced technician over to take a look!