Understanding Pressure Washing Vs. Soft Washing
When it comes to cleaning home and business exteriors, two popular methods often come into play: pressure washing and soft washing. If you're not very familiar with pressure washing or exterior cleaning techniques on the whole, you may miss the important nuances between these two cleaning techniques, which is why it's helpful to become familiar with both. While both techniques aim to enhance curb appeal and maintain property value, they differ significantly in their cleaning approaches and how they're used!
What is Pressure Washing?
Most homeowners are probably familiar, at least somewhat, with pressure washing. Pressure washing utilizes high-pressure water jets to remove dirt, grime, mold, and other debris from surfaces. This method is particularly effective for hard, durable surfaces like concrete driveways or brick walls. The force of the water can penetrate deeply into porous materials, making it an excellent choice for tackling tough stains and built-up dirt.
However, the high-pressure nature of this technique can also pose risks. Using pressure washing on delicate surfaces like roofs or painted siding can cause damage, such as warping, etching, or "Zorro marks" created by intense pressure on soft surfaces. Pressure washing is best suited for resilient surfaces that can withstand high water pressure without suffering harm, but for softer or more delicate materials like wood, asphalt shingles, or painted sidings, sometimes a different cleaning technique is needed.
What is Soft Washing?
By contrast, soft washing employs a low-pressure water stream of a few hundred PSI or lower, combined with specialized cleaning solutions to safely eliminate dirt, mold, and algae. This technique is ideal for cleaning more delicate surfaces like roofs, wood decking, and painted surfaces, which could otherwise be potentially damaged by high-pressure cleaning techniques. The cleaning solutions used in soft washing not only clean but also sanitize, ensuring that any spores or bacteria are eradicated to help prevent ongoing decay and future growth. Though soft washing is less intense pressure-wise than traditional pressure washing, it's no less effective - it simply has different applications!
Choosing the Right Method for Your Needs
When deciding between pressure washing and soft washing, consider the specific parameters of the task at hand. If you're dealing with heavy-duty grime on robust surfaces like concrete or brick, pressure washing may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you're looking to clean more delicate areas like roofs or pine wood decks, soft washing tends to be the safer and more effective option.
No matter what part of your property you're trying to clean, it's essential to consult with professionals who can assess the surface and recommend the best method. Southern Exterior Cleaners specializes in both pressure washing and soft washing, tailoring our approach to each job to ensure that every surface we work on gets the exact type of care it requires!
Whether you're looking for gentle soft washing or robust pressure washing, you can count on Southern Exterior Cleaners to clean your Centerville property to perfection! Consider our helpful exterior cleaning services, and if you'd like to get a free quote for anything we offer, call us today at 931-329-0221!
Your Southern Home, Sparkling Clean. Contact Our Local Pressure Washing Experts Today!