Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing
It is surprising just 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 look, regardless of if you invest time, money and maintenance into it.
Some materials, like dirt or mud, are harmless, but algae and mold can be harmful to your health and your home. They create allergens and bacteria that can affect your family, and some, like algae, can grow underneath vinyl or roofing and enter your home.
As a professional power washing service in Thousand Oaks, we recommend you have your home’s exterior cleaned once a year. The spring season is the most common time of the year to do an intense home washing, but you can really do it any time as 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
Pressure washing used to be the only option to thoroughly clean vinyl siding, brick and painted surfaces. Now in 2021, homeowners have a second option for exterior home cleaning: soft washing.
Like the names suggest, one method is much gentler than the other, but there’s more to it than just that. Let’s cover the features of each method to help you determine which is the right choice for your home.
WHAT IS SOFT WASHING?
The soft wash method uses much less power than a typical pressure washer, hence the name. The highest water pressure in a soft washing system is 500 PSI. This lower spray is created from a nozzle with a wider spray option, only a little more powerful than your standard backyard garden hose.
Soft washing uses a mixture of detergent, bleach and water in some combination to get rid of organic matter and debris from your home, roof and other outdoor surfaces. The mixture used in a soft washing system can include algaecides and residual inhibitors which will deter further growth of these organisms in the future.
Because chemicals, not water pressure, are responsible for cleaning the surfaces, no powerful water is required. This means that soft washing can be used for more fragile surfaces that could otherwise be damaged by more powerful pressure washing.
The soft wash solution is sometimes rinsed off, but not every time. This just depends on the type of solution is used, if there is plant or animal life that might be affected by the runoff, and if the solution itself is strong enough to harm surfaces over time.
Soft washing provides the distinct advantage of reaching into cracks and crevices to kill unseen organisms, meaning that its impact can last much longer than standard power washing.
WHAT IS PRESSURE WASHING?
Pressure washing has long been the standard for cleaning exterior surfaces. It is extremely effective and quick, which is why most home and business owners still prefer it.
This cleaning method uses water only, no chemicals, to clean off stains and mold from exterior surfaces. The use of plain water is a major advantage to home owners who don’t want to use 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, porches, decks, walkways and outdoor furniture because it is quick, more efficient and cost-effective.
Pressure washing requires somewhere from 1300 to 3100 PSI water pressure with water being sprayed out of a tiny nozzle for maximum power. Both organic and inorganic materials are sprayed from your home’s surface, prohibiting their growth and restoring the appearance of your home.
One drawback to power washing is that the water is sometimes too powerful and can damage the surfaces you want to clean. Pressure washing is strong 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 real question for homeowners is, “Is pressure washing or soft washing better?”
Both soft washing and pressure washing are good for your home’s exterior, as well as sidewalks, driveways and more. Both cleaning systems can be performed by a professional company – and truthfully, are more correctly done when left to the pros.
Soft washing is great for outdoor play equipment, gardening equipment, roof shingles, 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 removes organisms currently present on the surface, and it prevents future growth for much longer than power washing can.
A problem with soft washing is that it can kill plant life underneath the surface you’re cleaning. Remember to spray them with water before applying the soft wash solution on your home or roof, and it shouldn’t be an issue.
Pressure washing is the preferred method for severe stains, and hard surfaces like asphalt, brick and stone. Pressure washing is the preferred method for commercial surfaces. A professional pressure washing service in Thousand Oaks may use a mix of detergents and water pressure to eliminate tough stains, but they need to tell you if they are going to be spraying chemicals during your estimate.
It can be used on siding as well (and has been for decades) as long as it is done carefully. High water pressure can break weak or smaller pieces of the vinyl. A service that does power washing often are going to know how to protect vulnerable areas, but a amateur might 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 can damage these materials and require you to replace your roof far earlier than expected.
Choosing between pressure washing or soft washing is best left for a professional pressure washing service. Which method is right for your home? Give Thousand Oaks Pressure Washing a call at 805-219-7150 and we will send an experienced technician over to take a look!