Pressure washing done professionally can offer dramatic results when it comes to cleaning your patio, siding, or deck covered by years of dirt and grime. If you’re looking into hiring pressure washing professionals to get the job done, you may come across power washing and soft washing services. Like most homeowners, you may be unsure which between these two suits your need for cleaning, so read on.
What is soft washing?
Soft washing is a pressure washing service done using a special low-pressure nozzle on the end of a pressure washing gun or wand to reduce the PSI, or pressure per square inch. Due to the reduced water pressure, its effectiveness primarily relies on specialized cleaners used in the process. This is why it’s important to only use the manufacturer-recommended pressure washing detergent or soap when doing a soft wash. Otherwise, you may not be able to get your expected results.
Soft washing can effectively remove surface contaminants like mold, algae, pollen, dirt, moss, mildew, and other stubborn stains, without damaging the property’s surface. On top of being effective in cleaning surfaces safely and thoroughly, this option is eco-friendly and will not strip off paint from surfaces. For such reasons, soft washing has always been the preferred method by most home or property owners in need of tough cleaning jobs on delicate surfaces
Soft washing is recommended for the cleaning of delicate surfaces such as:
- Cedar shake, wood panel, or vinyl siding
- Outdoor rooted plants
- Stucco and coquina
- Outdoor wooden furniture
- Screens
- Enclosures
What is pressure washing?
Pressure washing is designed to clean more durable surfaces like stone pathways, decks, patio furniture, etc. It is also the best method for removing loose paint as a preparation for a new application. It is not recommended for roof cleaning, though, because it can cause severe damage to your shingles, which can void the roof’s warranty.
Unlike soft washing, pressure washing uses very high water pressure to the extent that it can be dangerous, if done by amateurs. Pushing out water at such a high rate, it can cut deep into your skin in a split-second. Therefore, this should be done with the utmost caution. If possible, let professional pressure washers do the job.
To sum up, pressure washing is best for:
- Removing loose paint or grayed out wood fibers
- Surfaces heavily embedded or ingrained with contaminants
- Washing concrete that is over three years old
Which should you use?
Soft and power washing are great, depending on your cleaning needs and how your home or property is built. Generally, you may need one or another on separate occasions, unless you need your entire home washed from top to bottom. In that case, the whole cleaning job will have to be broken down into two phases:
- Pressure washing all the hard surfaces and,
- Soft washing the remaining areas not suitable for pressure washing
Whether you opt for pressure or soft washing, Superior Cleaning Service, LLC can do a fantastic cleaning job, while keeping your property safe and sound.
Contact us today for a free quote.
