03/04/2024
Home exterior Pressure washing Vs Soft washing....THE do's and DON'Ts
Good morning Nextdoor,
I have been asked numerous times over and over about the difference between pressure washing Vs soft washing and just wanted to give some homeowners some advise so you don't end up damaging your home like so many others have done because they went with the cheapest person and a pressure washer.
What is Soft Washing?
Soft washing uses an Electric sprayer to effectively clean exterior surfaces using a combination of water spray and chemicals. The typical pressure of the sprayer is between 150–300 PSI.
Soft washing can be used to remove the following stains or buildup:
Mold, mildew, and fungus
Moss and weeds
Algae and bacteria
Wildlife debris, bird droppings, and bugs
Oil and grease
Tree sap
Organic matter
Rust
Graffiti and paint spills
Appropriate outdoor soft wash surfaces include:
Vinyl siding
Cedar shake siding
Wood siding
Roofs
Pavers, brick, and tile
Stucco
Windows and doors
Outdoor furniture
What is Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing, also referred to as power washing, cleans exterior surfaces with a high-pressure water spray between 1,300-2,800 PSI. Pressure washing is used to remove many of the same stains and buildup that soft washing can, including loose paint, mold, mud, dust, dirt, and grime. However, it typically does so without the aid of chemicals and relies on the water pressure to get the job done.
The force of pressure washing should not be underestimated. Pressure washing surfaces that are intended to be soft washed brings a risk of damage. Mortar or grout can be removed from in between brick or tile. Paint can be stripped from walls. Asphalt can be removed during roof cleaning. Water damage can also occur when water is unintentionally forced under a home’s siding at high pressure.
As such, pressure washing surfaces should be limited mostly to:
Stone
Asphalt driveways
Garage floors
Sidewalks
Patios
Concrete
Treated wooden decks
I have attached a few photos of a customer that had a company pressure wash there home and you can see the damage left behind. And a before and after of soft washing a home we did a few days ago. They ended up spending thousands to replace the siding AND wood rot behind the siding. Also soft washing will clean YOUR HOME up to 100% BETTER hands down than any pressure washing job done today GUARANTEED!
If you have ANY QUESTIONS please feel free to reach out to me at
704-975-0021 or snyderscleaning.com for a free estimate. we are licenced,insured,bonded and have the experience to make your home beautiful again, We are a family owned business with over 10+ years in the area.