What Is The Difference Between Pressure Washing And Soft Washing?
One really common question we get about what we do is what soft washing is and how that relates to pressure washing. They’re related but slightly different. Here’s what you need to know about the difference between pressure washing and soft washing.
What is Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing is a process of using a jet of water with a very high PSI to clean a specific surface. Most professionals in this industry will tell you that the actual figure depends on the task at hand, the machinery being used, and what you’re trying to accomplish. For example, there are pressure washing tasks that require a stream strong enough to remove paint and go well above 4,000 PSI. Likewise, the average homeowner can purchase a small unit that puts out only about 2,000 PSI.
Generally, heavy-duty pressure washing is best left to professionals, like our team here at Tampa Bay Soft Wash & Pressure Cleaning. Why? The process is extremely time-consuming and messy if you aren’t sure how to professionally pressure wash. How much is your time worth to you? Not to mention the dangers of operating a high-powered pressure washer are very real. If you are unsure, it is always best to leave those tough jobs to us. We have been trained in the proper safety procedures and have the correct equipment to properly do the job.
What is Soft Washing?
Soft washing simply refers to the amount of pressure that is being used during the project. It is about as strong as the average garden hose (60-100 PSI) and definitely weaker than a good rainfall, the chemicals do the work, not the pressure…This type of professional washing is generally great for those situations when you are trying to clean a surface with a house cleaning solution. The strength of the solution depends on the surface that you’re trying to clean.
So, what are the benefits of soft washing? The biggest is that patio screens, most types of siding, gutters, and soffits can be cleaned with very little pressure. It’s also great for situations where there is slight paint damage that you don’t want to make worse.
Where it really shines is against living organisms, more specifically mold, lichen, and algae. Pressure washing is not very effective and removing living organisms. Pressure washing blows it all around and leaves some residual living organisms. Whereas soft washing actually kills the living organism and it literally just rinses off after it has been killed.
When Do You Need Pressure Washing and When is Soft Washing Better?
Now that you know the difference between pressure washing and soft washing, it’s important to understand when you might choose one option over the other or a combination of both. Obviously, the item you’re power washing needs to be able to withstand higher pressure for the first option, while gentler items can undergo soft washing.
If you’re having your home professionally washed, you might notice that the technicians do a combination of the two. The roof, siding, and windows are usually soft-washed. After that, the sidewalks, decks, or driveway are then pressure washed at that higher PSI level and even post-treated with a soft wash solution. The process usually starts from the top and works down to keep dirt and debris away from the surfaces that were just cleaned but every job is unique and that is what keeps us on our toes!
Professional Power Washing Done Right
At Tampa Bay Soft Wash & Pressure Cleaning, we offer both pressure washing and soft washing to suit your needs. There’s nothing like good cleaning to keep the exterior of your home looking great, so please contact us today to schedule an appointment.