Has your property’s exterior seen better days? Is it visibly covered in dirt, debris, and other unwanted substances, tarnishing its beauty? If so, you’re probably already looking into solutions to the problem. During this research, you may have discovered a cleaning technique called soft washing. But what is soft washing? How does it work, and what benefits will it have for your residential or commercial property?
Discover the answers to these questions (and more) with Larry’s Pressure Washing. We are a locally owned and operated business, and it is always our pleasure to serve the Houston, TX community. Give us a call, and we will proudly soft wash your home or business exterior for you.
Pressure Washing Vs. Soft Washing
So, what is soft washing? Soft washing is a variant of pressure washing, so let’s review what pressure washing is first. Pressure washing is the process of cleaning exterior surfaces with high-pressure water jets. This water is pressurized by a machine called a pressure washer, making it possible to remove even the toughest debris from exterior surfaces.
However, pressure washing is not always a good choice for exterior cleaning projects. Some surfaces are too delicate to be safely pressure washed, and this is where soft washing comes into play. Soft washing uses a low amount of water pressure (150 to 500 PSI) to safely clean even the gentlest exterior surfaces. Soft washing is the safest choice for brick, stucco, and vinyl exteriors, as well as any softwood, painted surfaces, and rooftops.
Soft Washing Improves Your Property’s Appearance
One of the biggest benefits of soft washing is its ability to restore your property’s beauty. Over time, your home or business’s exterior surfaces will accumulate debris. There is no way to avoid this, and the longer it is allowed to happen unchecked, the uglier your property’s exterior will become. Eventually, the problem will be so noticeable that your neighbors will even be clued into it. Don’t let things spiral out of control—instead, use the power of soft washing to bring your home or business back to its former glory.
We highly recommend annual soft washing to keep your property’s exterior clean. Business owners may want to consider semiannual or quarterly soft washing; That way, your commercial property is pristine year-round, helping you attract customers and generate revenue. More revenue gives your business more opportunities to grow.
Soft Washing Prevents Surface Damage
What is soft washing good for aside from improved property appearance? Believe it or not, soft washing also protects your home or business’s exterior from damage. To understand why, you have to take a closer look at what surface debris does. It doesn’t just sit on exterior surfaces harmlessly. It actually gradually erodes them, and the longer this is allowed to happen, the greater the chance of more severe damage. This severe damage, of course, costs money to repair, and you have budget constraints to keep in mind.
Prevent damage and save money with soft washing. Soft washing will remove harmful debris from exterior surfaces, lowering the risk to your property.
Tools Needed For Soft Washing
If you are planning to do your own soft washing, you’ll need to purchase the necessary equipment. But what equipment does this include? Great question! Larry’s Pressure Washing has included the tools used for everyday soft washing jobs below.
- Pressure Washer. A pressure washer connects to a water source and highly pressurizes the water. Pressure washers allow you to choose how much water pressure to use for flexible surface cleaning.
- Hose and Nozzle. With a hose and nozzle, you’ll be able to aim pressurized water at dirty surfaces and precisely remove unwanted debris.
- Cleaning Solutions. We use cleaning solutions, such as sodium hypochlorite, to break down tough grime. We also recommend using a simple pressure washing detergent.
- Protective Gear. Always protect yourself from injuries by wearing protective gear, including goggles, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes.
How to Soft Wash Exterior Surfaces
To soft wash your home’s exterior, begin by preparing your equipment. Fill your pressure washer’s soap tank with detergent, and be sure to select an appropriate amount of water pressure. (For soft washing projects, this will be anywhere between 150 and 500 PSI.) With the hose in your grasp, position yourself eighteen to twenty-four inches away from the surfaces to be cleaned. Then, thoroughly rinse the surfaces, working in a row-by-row pattern. By maintaining this pattern, you’ll be able to easily clean outside walls, fences, decks, etc.
If you come across any stubborn debris that won’t rinse away, what’s the best course of action? When soft washing alone won’t solve this problem, rely on powerful sodium hypochlorite to finish the job. Simply apply a thin layer of this cleaning solution to the dirty area. Then, wait fifteen minutes for grime to be broken down. Finally, soft wash the area again, and you should find that dirty debris disappears in a flash.
Challenges of DIY Soft Washing
“What is soft washing?” Now that you know the answer to this question—as well as the benefits of soft washing—it’s time to make plans for your property’s soft washing needs. Will you soft wash your home or business on your own? You certainly can, assuming you have the time, energy, and equipment for the work.
However, these resources aren’t always easy to come by. If you have a full-time job, for example, you’ll struggle to find room in your schedule for DIY soft washing. So, what’s the alternative?
Consider Professional Soft Washing
Reach out to Larry’s Pressure Washing, and it will be our pleasure to soft wash your property for you. That way, you don’t have to put any effort into the soft washing process. You can simply sit back and relax as our professionals handle this big responsibility. We will provide you with stunning results, and for a fair price, too.
Contact us online with information about your soft washing project today! We’ll give you a free cost estimate, and then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment.