Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing
It is amazing just how dirty the outside of your house can get during the course of a year. Some of the most common stains include dirt or mud splatter, algae, mold and mildew. These things will give any house an unkempt, uncared for appearance, regardless of whether you invest a lot of time, money and maintenance into it.
Some materials, like dirt or mud, don’t do much harm, but algae and mold can be harmful to your health and to your house. These contaminants create allergens and bacteria that can affect your family, and some, like algae, can grow directly underneath vinyl or roofing and enter into your house.
As a professional power washing service in Pembroke Pines, we recommend that you have your home’s exterior cleaned once every 12 months. The spring season is typically the most popular time of the year to do an intense home washing, but you can really do it any time as long as the weather allows.
WHAT NEEDS PRESSURE WASHING?
All of the following surfaces need to be power washed from time to time:
• Vinyl siding
• Rock and stone
• Brick
• Concrete and asphalt
Pressure washing used to be the only way to properly clean vinyl siding, brick and painted surfaces. Now in 2021, homeowners in Pembroke Pines have a second option for exterior house cleaning: soft washing.
As the names imply, one method is much gentler than the other one, but there’s a little more to it than just that. Let’s cover the features of each method to help you judge which one is the right choice for your house.
WHAT IS SOFT WASHING?
The soft wash method uses 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 created from a nozzle with a wider spray setting, only a little more powerful than your backyard garden hose.
Soft washing uses soap, bleach and water in some combination to remove organic matter and debris from your home, roof and other outdoor surfaces. The mixture used in a soft washing system can also include algaecides and residual inhibitors which will prevent further growth of these types of organisms in the future.
Because chemicals, not water pressure, are responsible for cleaning the surfaces, no powerful water pressure is necessary. This means that soft washing can be used for more delicate surfaces that could otherwise be damaged by higher pressure washing equipment.
The soft wash chemicals are sometimes rinsed off, but not every time. This just depends on what type of chemicals are used, if there is plant or animal life that might be affected by the runoff, and if the chemicals are strong enough to harm surfaces over time.
Soft washing provides the advantage of reaching into small cracks to kill unseen bacteria, meaning that its results can last a lot longer than power washing.
WHAT IS PRESSURE WASHING?
Pressure washing has always been the standard for cleaning exterior surfaces. It is very effective and quick, which is why a lot of home and business owners prefer it over soft washing.
This cleaning method uses water only, there are no chemicals, to eliminate stains and mold from exterior surfaces. The use of plain water is a significant advantage to home owners who don’t want to use chemicals, either for the sake of the environment or to avoid zoning violations.
The pressure washing process can be used on several different materials. Home and business owners frequently prefer power washing for cleaning their driveway, porches, decks, sidewalks and patio furniture because it is quick, 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 stains are blasted from your home’s surface, preventing their growth and restoring the appearance of your house.
One negative about power washing is that the water is sometimes too powerful and lead to damaging the surfaces of your home you want to clean. Pressure washing is strong enough to cut deep 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 obvious question for most homeowners is, “Is pressure washing or soft washing better?”
Both soft washing and pressure washing are good for your home’s exterior, including sidewalks, driveways and more. Both cleaning systems can be done by a professional company – and truthfully, are more correctly done when left to the experts.
Soft washing is great for outdoor toys, yard tools, roof shingles, decks, gutters, patios and painted surfaces because it is unlikely to harm plastic and wood. It’s also a safe and smart choice for vinyl siding.
It kills organisms currently present on the surface, and it stops future growth for a lot longer than power washing can.
A disadvantage of soft washing is that it can kill plant life under the surface that you’re cleaning. Remember to spray them with water before applying the soft wash chemicals on your house or roof, and it probably won’t be a problem.
Pressure washing is considered the recommended method for severe stains, and harder surfaces like asphalt, stone and brick. Pressure washing is the recommended method for commercial properties. A local pressure washing service in Pembroke Pines might use a combination of detergents and water pressure to get rid of problematic stains, but they should tell you if they are going to be using chemicals during your consultation.
It can also be used on siding too (and has been for decades) as long as it is done carefully. Powerful water pressure can damage weak or small pieces of vinyl. A company that does power washing often are going to know how to protect these areas, but a DIYer could do a lot of harm.
Your home’s roof is off limits for power washing if you have slate, tile or asphalt shingles. The pressure of the water will likely damage these materials and cause you to replace your home’s roof far earlier than expected.
Deciding between pressure washing or soft washing is best left for a professional pressure washing service. Which process is right for your house? Give Pembroke Pines Pressure Washing a call at 954-231-0516 and we’ll send an experienced technician over to take a look!