Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing: Understanding the Difference
Knowing the difference between pressure washing and soft washing can help you decide the right approach to choose.
Cleaning is one of the many factors that affect a property's longevity since it helps with the overall maintenance of a property. Whether you own a residential or commercial property, cleaning every nook and cranny is essential, especially if you want to keep your home looking new or simply improve curb appeal.
However, there are certain stains and grimes that prove to be too much for an average Joe, so when that time comes, it may be time to enlist the help of a professional power washer, sidewalk cleaner, or just a pressure cleaner in general that knows pressure washing and soft washing by heart.
Through this article, you'll learn the difference between pressure washing and soft washing so that, in the end, you'll be able to clean your property to the best of your ability without compromising or damaging it.
What is Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing, sometimes called power washing, is when you use a high-pressure water spray to clean and remove any paint, dirt, mud, grime, and mold from various surfaces, especially on buildings, pavements, vehicles, and concrete surfaces.
Pressure washing often uses electric and gas-powered pressure washers with a very high PSI, typically ranging from 1,300 to 4,000 PSI.
Application
Since pressure washing requires a high PSI, it's ideal to use it on pavements and concrete surfaces, so pressure washing services Atlanta often use it on driveways and sidewalks.
You can also use pressure washers on brick and stone surfaces since those surfaces are made of rigid materials, allowing pressure cleaning services to remove discoloration and algae effectively.
Suppose the surface that you're planning on having cleaned is made out of wood. In that case, it's essential to ensure the wood is sturdy and treated adequately, like wood decks, before calling the pressure washing services in Atlanta.
To properly use your pressure washer, select the proper nozzle for the surface you plan to clean. After deciding what nozzle to use, once you power it up, start with a low-pressure setting as you apply some cleaning solution only if necessary.
As you begin cleaning, move steadily across the area while maintaining a constant distance from the surface. Suppose you're not used to pressure washing. In that case, it's better to test a small area first to ensure the pressure and cleaning solution won't harm the material.
Pros of Pressure Washing
Pressure washing can easily remove tough stains, dirt, and mildew and handle complex, durable surfaces. Additionally, pressure washing cleans surfaces faster and more effectively than soft washing.
Cons of Pressure Washing
While pressure washing can effectively remove dirt from hard surfaces, it can unfortunately cause quite a bit of damage to delicate surfaces like wood, stucco, or painted areas. If not used properly, it can remove paint and shatter certain materials. It is not as effective for eradicating mildew and algae at the root.
What is Soft Washing?
Soft washing means using a lower pressure when using a pressure washing machine. During soft washing, pressure cleaning services often use biodegradable solutions to remove mold, algae, pollen, dirt, moss, and other stains without harming your home's surfaces or destroying your plants.
So, not only is this a safe way to clean surfaces like your roof, deck, patio, siding, or fence, but it also helps maintain your house's paint and masonry longer.
Application
While high-pressure washing can harm asphalt shingles and other roof materials, soft washing can clean your roof, removing algae and moss without causing any chipping or peeling.
You can also use soft washing for siding, including vinyl, stucco, and painted wood, because, unlike high-pressure washing, that can. It is also suitable for delicate outdoor materials that could be harmed by high water pressure, like composite decking and masonry.
To properly do some soft washing, pressure cleaning services often start by keeping grass and plants away from the area you'll be cleaning. After prepping everything—from the area you plan on cleaning to the solution you will use, it's time to start cleaning the surface by pouring it into a soft wash sprayer.
Remember that soft washing uses low pressure to move water through a hose and pump. As such, the pump needs to guide the cleaning solution mixture through the hose.
Pros of Soft Washing
Soft washing is perfect when cleaning delicate surfaces like roofs and siding while also prolonging the life of materials by using cleaning solutions to eradicate mold, algae, and bacteria at the root.
Cons of Soft Washing
Compared to pressure washing, soft washing requires more time to clean. Additionally, suppose you're faced with a tough cookie. In that case, they need you to handle more applications carefully to prevent any adverse environmental effects.
Key Differences Between Pressure Washing and Soft Washing
Whether you’re planning on hiring a power washer sidewalk cleaner or doing it yourself, cleaning your property with pressure washing and soft washing are both viable options; however, both methods are as different as night and day.
Here are the key differences to help you find the best method for you and your pressure washing services Atlanta.
Pressure Washing
Pressure washing is blasting dirt, mold, grime, and stains off hard surfaces with high-pressure water. It can remove tenacious buildup since it usually runs at 1,300 to 4,000 PSI. It is the best method for rugged, durable, and stained with heavy grime.
As such, pressure washing is best for washing the following surfaces:
- Driveways and Sidewalks
- Brick and Stone Surfaces
- Well-Maintained Wood Decks
- Fences
Soft Washing
On the other hand, soft washing combines specific cleaning agents with a lower water pressure (usually less than 1,000 PSI). As a result, it dissolves dirt, mold, mildew, and algae, providing for a more delicate yet efficient cleaning perfect for cleaning:
- Roofing cleaning
- Siding
- Windows and Screens
- Stonework, decking, and other delicate outdoor surfaces
Choosing the Right Pressure Washing Services in Atlanta
Whether it’s you or your power washer sidewalk cleaner who plans to clean your home or your
commercial property, pressure washing has always been a reliable method to remove even the toughest stains.
As mentioned earlier, pressure washing efficiently removes dirt, grime, and stains from surfaces using high-pressure water. Now that you clearly understand the difference between pressure washing and soft washing, it's time to think about hiring the right pressure washing services Atlanta has to offer.
Since what's involved is a property you care for, hiring the right people is essential. After all, you wouldn't want to end up with a property in worse shape than before. So, you must choose your team correctly.
1. Experience and Expertise
Pressure washing isn't a simple task, as it can damage your property if the equipment is in the hands of the wrong people. As such, it's essential to look for pressure cleaning services with a solid reputation around the area with years of experience to back it up.
What you want are well-established pressure washing services Atlanta with the proper knowledge and equipment to handle the type of surface you plan on having cleaned without damaging it.
2. Range of Services
Each method is different from the other, and when dealing with a property, whether it's a residential or commercial type, the power washer sidewalk cleaner you hire must offer both pressure washing and soft washing so that they can work on various surfaces on your property.
Ensure the company you choose provides the correct cleaning method for your needs, whether for driveways, roofs, or siding.
3. Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions
Chemical solutions, while effective at cleaning surfaces, are oftentimes harmful to the environment. As such, hiring pressure cleaning services that use eco-friendly cleaning solutions is always better. Aside from being detrimental to the environment, harsh chemicals are often less effective when used for cleaning.
4. Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Aside from checking out their experience, services, and equipment, checking a power washer sidewalk cleaner's review online is essential. Here, you should check whether a client was satisfied with their result and experience working with them.
Looking for client reviews is easy since you can quickly go to Google and search for "pressure washing services Atlanta." The reviews of each customer will show up in your search.
5. Pricing and Transparency
Lastly, check their pricing and whether the cost of their services matches the quality that they are providing.
So, before choosing the pressure cleaning services that offer the cheapest quote, it's essential to consider every single factor. After all, an exceptionally low quotation is also an indication of poor service.
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Woodstock
Roswell
Alpharetta
Milton
Canton
Hickory Flat
Marrieta
Holly Springs