Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing
It’s surprising just how dirty the outside of your home can get over the course of a year. Some of the most typical stains include mud or dirt, algae, mold and mildew. These things can give any home an unkempt, uncared for look, regardless of if you invest time, money and maintenance into it.
Some of these materials, like dirt, don’t do much harm, but algae and mold can be destructive to your health and to your home. They create allergens that can impact your family, and some, like algae, can grow underneath vinyl or roofing material and enter your home.
As a professional power washing company in Cypress, we recommend that you have your home’s exterior cleaned once every 12 months. Spring is typically the most popular time to do an intense home washing, but you can 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 option to thoroughly clean vinyl, brick and painted surfaces. Now in 2021, homeowners in Cypress have a second option for exterior home cleaning: soft washing.
Like the names imply, one method is a lot gentler than the other one, but there’s a little more to it than just that. Let’s cover the features of each to help you decide which one is the right choice for your home.
WHAT IS SOFT WASHING?
The soft wash method uses much less power than a typical pressure washer, hence the name. The maximum water pressure in a soft washing system is 500 PSI. This lower spray is produced from a nozzle with a wider spray setting, only slightly more powerful than a backyard hose.
Soft washing uses soap, bleach and water in some combination to eliminate organic matter from your home, roof and other exterior surfaces. The cleaning solution used in a soft washing process can also include algaecides and residual inhibitors to help prevent further growth of these organisms in the future.
Because chemicals, not pressure, are key to cleaning the surfaces, no powerful water pressure is needed. This means that soft washing can be used for more fragile surfaces that could otherwise be harmed by higher pressure washing equipment.
The soft wash solution is sometimes cleaned off, but not all of the time. This just depends on the type of solution is used, if there’s plant or animal life that can be affected by the solution runoff, and if the chemicals are strong enough to damage surfaces over time.
Soft washing offers the distinct advantage of getting down into cracks and crevices to eliminate unseen bacteria, meaning that its effects can last longer than power washing.
WHAT IS PRESSURE WASHING?
Pressure washing has always been the standard for cleaning exterior surfaces. It is highly effective and efficient, which is why a lot of home and business owners still prefer it.
This particular cleaning method uses water only, there are no chemicals, to remove stains and mildew from exterior surfaces. The use of plain water is a major plus to property owners that don’t want to use cleaning chemicals, either for the sake of the environment or to avoid zoning violations.
It can be used on several different materials. Home and business owners frequently prefer power washing for cleaning their driveway, patio, decks, walkways and patio furniture because it is quick, more efficient and cost-effective.
Pressure washing uses anywhere from 1300 to 3100 PSI water pressure with water sprayed out from a small nozzle for maximum power. Both organic and inorganic stains are sprayed from your home’s surface, preventing their growth and renewing the appearance of your home.
One drawback to power washing is that the water is sometimes too powerful and can harm the surfaces of your home you’re attempting to clean. Pressure washing is strong enough to cut deep grooves into wood and plastic, and it can push into cracks, breaking off pieces 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, including sidewalks, driveways and more. Both of these cleaning systems can be done by a professional company – and truthfully, are more effectively done when left to the experts.
Soft washing is excellent for outdoor toys, gardening tools, roof shingles, decks, gutters, patios and painted surfaces because it is unlikely to damage plastic and wood. It’s also a safe and smart choice for vinyl siding.
It eliminates organisms currently present on the surface, and it prevents future growth for longer than power washing can.
A problem with soft washing is that it can kill plants under the surface that you’re cleaning. Remember to spray them down with water before spraying the soft wash solution on your home or roof, and it shouldn’t be an issue.
Pressure washing is considered the recommended method for difficult stains, and harder surfaces like concrete, stone and brick. Pressure washing is the recommended choice for commercial properties. A local pressure washing company in Cypress may use a mixture of chemicals and water pressure to eliminate tough stains, but they should tell you if they are going to be using chemicals after your estimate.
It can also be used for siding as well (and has been for decades) as long as it is done safely. High water pressure can break weak or small pieces of the vinyl. A service that does power washing all the time are going to know how to protect weak pieces, but a first-timer can do a lot of damage.
Your home’s roof is off limits for power washing if there are slate, tile or asphalt shingles. The high pressure of the water might damage these materials and require you to replace your home’s roof a lot faster than expected.
Choosing between soft washing or power washing is best left for a professional pressure washing company. Which process is right for your home? Give Cypress Pressure Wash Co. a call at 281-524-2415 and we’ll send an experienced technician over to take a look!