Soft Washing and Pressure Washing: Pros and Cons | Power Washing Middletown

Soft Washing and Pressure Washing: Pros and Cons

While these two terms are often used interchangeably, they actually have a few differences. They both get stains off buildings, walkways, patios, and decks, but the way they achieve that is different.

First off, traditional pressure washers use about 4000 psi, while soft washers use just 100 psi. Pressure washing utilizes high-powered jets of water infused with harsh chemicals that are designed to remove tough stains; however, because of the intense pressure involved, they can also cause a lot of damage: dents and pitting in siding, peeling paint from wood, blown window seals, and destroyed plants.

Traditional power washing isn’t gone forever. In fact, it’s great for removing stains in concrete, brick walls and sidewalks that require more than a gentle wash to be effective. However, when it comes to vinyl siding, wooden decks, roofs and siding, a gentler approach is needed, which is where soft washing comes in. The mild pressure involved will ensure the integrity of your home and surrounding landscape, while still getting off those unsightly stains.

You never want a company to say they will use a high-pressure wash on the home itself. Not only could this damage your vinyl siding, window frames, gutters, and soffits, it could cause water to infiltrate your siding and roofing material, leading to leaks that can pose a big problem later on.

Soft washing is desirable because it utilizes a low-pressure nozzle attached to a pressure washing gun or wand, with biodegradable chemicals that are gentle on plants and flowers. This process may be gentle enough to prevent damage, but it’s also durable enough to remove stains caused by mold, algae, lichen, pollen, dirt and moss. It’s safe on anything from roofs and decks to patios and siding.

One big benefit of soft washing is that it uses much less water than traditional power washing, with cleaning solutions that are eco-friendly, containing mildew-cides, algae-cides and soaps.

Both traditional and soft wash methods are applied with a commercial pressure washing machine. Your cleaning expert should know exactly how to disperse chemicals and apply the right amount of volume and pressure ratio, as well as nozzle extensions, for the surface being cleaned. This is why you want to check on experience level of the professional. He or she should automatically know which detergents will most effectively break down which stains, while preventing damage to the surrounding environment.

Looking for a soft washing company you can trust to get the job done safely and effectively, with no damage to your home or surroundings? It’s important to research any company’s experience, asking questions such as what types of equipment they use and what chemicals they use for cleaning. Clearview Washing is New Jersey’s trusted exterior cleaning company for many reasons, one of which is that we use soft washing techniques to get your home clean. Call today for a free estimate.