How does your Houston property’s exterior surfaces look? If it’s been a long time since they were last cleaned, they are probably filthy. That’s because surfaces are constantly accumulating debris and require regular maintenance. The question is, how exactly will you go about this maintenance? You’ve probably heard of pressure washing and soft washing, but what sets them apart, and which is best for your project? Our pressure washing vs. soft washing breakdown will give you the answers!
We are Larry’s Pressure Washing, and we are prepared to show you the nuances between pressure washing vs. soft washing. You can always reach out to us if you need professional services, too. Just give us a call.
Why Pressure Washing and Soft Washing Are Needed
Before we take a closer look at the differences between pressure and soft washing, it’s important to understand what makes exterior cleaning so important in the first place. By washing your home or business’s exterior surfaces, you’ll drastically improve their appearance. That’s because cleaner surfaces are brighter and more beautiful than dirty ones.
Additionally, exterior cleaning actually helps you avoid property damage. That’s because debris slowly erodes surfaces over time. By removing this debris, you’ll prevent this erosion from happening, and you’ll avoid the need for costly repairs in the long run. This is a great way to save money over the course of time!
An Introduction to Pressure Washing
To begin our pressure washing vs. soft washing, let’s take a closer look at the pressure washing process. What is pressure washing? It’s the process of cleaning exterior surfaces with high-pressure water. The amount of water pressure used is sometimes as high as 3,500 PSI when pressure washing. In other words, it’s a very powerful procedure!
The beating heart behind the pressure washing process is a machine called a pressure washer. This device connects to a water source, pressurizes the water, and expels it through a hose. This removes debris at an incredibly efficient rate.
How Soft Washing Compares
Now that you understand what pressure washing is, you might be wondering how soft washing compares. These two techniques are more similar than you may have thought at first. That’s because when comparing pressure washing vs. soft washing, the key difference is how much water pressure is being used.
As mentioned before, pressure washing can use as much as 3,500 PSI. However, soft washing typically uses less than 1,000 PSI. This makes it a safer choice for delicate surfaces that could potentially be damaged by pressure washing. In other words, whether you need to pressure wash or soft wash ultimately depends on what you’re washing.
Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing Projects
Pressure washing is the preferred choice for stronger, more durable surfaces that won’t easily become damaged. We have included several examples below. Do any of these describe your particular project?
- Concrete Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Asphalt Driveways
- Chain-Link Fences
- Hardwood Decks
On the other hand, delicate surfaces require soft washing. Otherwise, they will become damaged by high-pressure water. We have listed several instances of soft washing projects for your convenience.
- Vinyl Siding
- Stucco
- Roofs (Asphalt Shingles & Tile)
- Painted Wood
- Screens & Enclosures
The Role of Cleaning Solutions in Soft Washing
Soft washing uses less water pressure than pressure washing. Therefore, it’s a less effective surface cleaning technique—right? This would be the case if it were not for cleaning solutions. These helpful chemicals are used to break down stubborn debris so it can be more easily removed. That way, even low-pressure water is enough to remove grime.
At Larry’s Pressure Washing, we utilize sodium hypochlorite, an eco-friendly cleaning solution, to break down stubborn debris. First, we use a spray applicator to apply sodium hypochlorite to exterior surfaces. Then, we wait fifteen minutes for debris to be broken down. Finally, we soft wash the area, removing all grime and restoring your property’s shine.
We highly recommend that you follow a similar strategy if you do your own soft washing. With cleaning solutions, you’ll make it so soft washing results are just as beautiful as pressure washing results.
Challenges of DIY Cleaning
If you are planning to do your own pressure washing or soft washing, you have to be prepared for the work that lies ahead. There are a number of challenges you’ll deal with along the way, including the following:
- Choosing the right technique. Selecting pressure washing vs. soft washing isn’t always easy for DIYers. Choosing the wrong technique could result in suboptimal results, or even worse, surface damage.
- Finding the time and energy. Cleaning your property’s exterior surfaces is a time- and energy-consuming process. Doing this work on your own will leave you physically fatigued, especially if you already have a job.
- Minding your own safety. When pressure washing or soft washing, you need to take care of yourself first. Spraying yourself with pressurized water could cause serious injury if you are careless.
If these challenges make you nervous, or if you still can’t figure out when to choose pressure washing vs. soft washing, reach out to us. Larry’s Pressure Washing is your community’s first choice for exterior cleaning services, and it would be our pleasure to serve you. We’ll be able to completely restore your property’s beauty, and you won’t even have to lift a finger.
Conclusion
The main difference between pressure washing vs soft washing is the amount of water pressure used. Pressure washing is suitable for stronger, more durable surfaces; soft washing is the best choice for fragile surfaces that could more easily become damaged. Both of these techniques will revitalize your property and rinse away surface debris. Just make sure you choose appropriately based on what you’re planning to clean.
If you want assistance from the team at Larry’s Pressure Washing, don’t wait to let us know about it! Contact us online, let us know about your project, and get a free cost estimate. Then, choose a time and date for your appointment. We can’t wait to be there in the near future, restoring exterior surfaces for you.
