Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing

It’s shocking how dirty the siding, wood or brick of your home can get during a year. Some of the most common stains include mud or dirt, algae, mold and mildew. These things can give any home an unkempt, messy appearance, regardless of if you invest time, money and maintenance into it.

Some of these materials, like dirt, are harmless, but algae and mildew can be destructive to your health and to your home. They create allergens and bacteria that can affect your family, and some of them, like algae, can grow directly underneath vinyl or roofing and enter your home.

As a professional power washing company in Centennial, we recommend you have your home’s exterior cleaned once a year. Spring is the most popular time of the year to do an extreme home exterior washing, but you can really do it any time throughout the year so long as the weather allows.

WHAT NEEDS PRESSURE WASHING?

All of the following surfaces need to be cleaned from time to time:

• Vinyl siding
• Rock and stone
• Brick
• Concrete and asphalt

Power washing used to be the only method to thoroughly clean vinyl siding, brick and painted surfaces. Now, homeowners in Centennial have another option for exterior home cleaning: soft washing.

Like the names suggest, one method is a lot gentler than the other, but there’s more to it than that. Let’s go over the features of each to help you decide which one is best for your home.

WHAT IS SOFT WASHING?

The soft wash method uses less power than a typical pressure washer, hence the name. The maximum water pressure used in a soft washing system is 500 PSI. This lower spray is created from a nozzle with a wider spray setting, only a little more powerful than a standard backyard hose.

Soft washing uses a mixture of soap, bleach and water in combination to eliminate organic matter from your home, roof and other exterior surfaces. The cleaning solution used in a soft washing system can also include algaecides and residual inhibitors which will deter further growth of these types of organisms in the future.

Because chemicals, not pressure, are responsible for cleaning the exterior surfaces, no powerful water pressure is necessary. This means that soft washing can be used for fragile surfaces that would otherwise be harmed by harsher pressure washing equipment.

The soft wash solution is sometimes cleaned off, but not every time. This just depends on what type of solution is used in the process, if there is plant or animal life that might be affected by the solution runoff, and if the solution itself is powerful enough to harm surfaces over time.

Soft washing offers the distinct advantage of reaching down into small cracks to eliminate unseen bacteria, meaning that its effects can last much longer than traditional power washing.

WHAT IS PRESSURE WASHING?

Pressure washing has always been the standard for cleaning exterior surfaces. It is very effective and efficient, which is why a lot of home and business owners prefer it over soft washing.

This particular cleaning method uses water only, no chemicals, to eliminate stains and organisms from exterior surfaces. The use of plain water is a significant plus to home owners that don’t want to use cleaning chemicals, either for the environment’s sake or to avoid zoning violations.

The pressure washing process can be used on a lot of different materials. Home owners prefer power washing for cleaning their driveway, patio, decks, walkways and outdoor furniture because it is quick, efficient and affordable.

Pressure washing needs somewhere from 1300 to 3100 PSI water pressure with water being sprayed out of a small nozzle for maximum power. Both organic and inorganic materials are sprayed from your home’s exterior surface, prohibiting their growth and renewing the curb appeal of your home.

One negative about power washing is that the water can sometimes be too powerful and can damage the surfaces you’re attempting to clean. Pressure washing is powerful enough to put grooves into wood and plastic, and it can get into cracks, breaking off chunks of brick or stone.

IS PRESSURE WASHING OR SOFT WASHING BETTER?

The obvious question for homeowners is, “Which one should I choose?”

Both soft washing and pressure washing methods are good for your home’s exterior, including sidewalks, driveways and more. Both of these cleaning systems can be done by a professional – and honestly, are more correctly done when left to the experts.

Soft washing is excellent for outdoor play sets, yard tools, shingle roofs, decks, gutters, patios and painted surfaces because it is less likely to harm plastic and wood. It’s also a safe and smart choice for vinyl siding.

It kills organisms that are present on the exterior surface, and it prevents future growth for much longer than power washing can.

A disadvantage of soft washing is that it can kill plants underneath the surface you’re cleaning. Remember to spray them down with water before applying the soft wash solution on your home or roof, and it probably won’t be a problem.

Pressure washing is considered the best method for severe stains, and hard surfaces like asphalt, stone and brick. Pressure washing is the preferred choice for commercial properties. A professional pressure washing company in Centennial might use a mixture of chemicals and water pressure to remove tough stains, but they should let you know if they will be using chemicals during your consultation.

It can be used on siding too (and has been for decades) so long as it is done correctly. High water pressure can break fragile or smaller pieces of the vinyl. A local company that does power washing all the time will know how to protect these pieces, but a first-timer can do a lot of harm.

Your home’s roof is off limits for power washing if you have slate, tile or asphalt shingles. The extreme pressure of the water will likely ruin these materials and require you to replace your roof much earlier than expected.

Deciding between pressure washing or soft washing is best left for a professional pressure washing company. Which method is right for your home? Give Centennial Pressure Washing a call at 720-702-1413 and we’ll send a trained technician over to take a look!