What is pressure washing?
Pressure washing is a technique used that is used to clean surfaces with a machine that outputs water at a high psi. Pressure washers can ranges from approximately 1800 psi up to 5000+ psi. Typically this is know as using cold water washing, or water straight from a spigot. An example of pressure washing would be a washer that flows at 4 gallons per minute with 4,000 psi.
What is power washing?
Power washing is similar to pressure washing. It utilizes pressurized water to clean surfaces. The only difference between the two is that power washing uses water that has been heated to clean. Heated water does clean better and the temperatures can range from approximately 120° to 250°.
What is soft washing?
Soft washing is a technique that uses a completely different system and setup compared to pressure or power washing. Soft washing uses a extremely low psi pump for output that does not threaten to damage surfaces like vinyl siding or asphalt shingles on roofs. One of two ways are typically used to deliver the cleaning solution for soft washing. Either cleaning agents are mixed prior to the start, which is known as batch mixing, or a proportioner is used which draws and blends the cleaning agents and water from separate tanks as it is being pulled by the pump. An example of soft washing would be a 12V pump that flows at 5 gallons per minute with 60 psi.
Is it safe for someone to use a pressure washer on my home?
Yes, pressure washers can be used to clean homes through a technique called down streaming or DS for short. There is a down stream injector that connects to the pressurized hose that pulls the cleaning solution into the hose line to be applied to siding. Most professional cleaners use specialized tips and attachments to apply cleaning agents and rinse them away that do not harm the home.
NOTE: high pressure tips should never be used directly on vinyl siding or a roof such as a asphalt roof. High pressure on vinyl can damage the siding and/or force water up underneath the siding introducing moisture for algae, mold, or mildew. High pressure on asphalt shingles can blast away the granules which will result in the shortened life-span of the roof and potentially void any warranty the roof is covered by.
Why should I hire someone to clean my home when I could buy a washer to do it myself?
Cleaning a home the right way requires time, attention to detail, a set procedure, and the right cleaning agents to do it correct. A lot of individuals believe that buying a washer from a local hardware store and knocking off what is visible is good enough. Honestly there is a higher chance of damaging their home and they generally do not kill the organic growth that still exist on the surface they cleaned. Hiring a professional who is equipped to handle the job is the best bet. Not only do they clean your home but they preserve other things around the home being cleaned, such as trees, plants, and other vegetation. Additionally, professionals help preserve the building material that is being cleaned. This helps preserve the lifespan of the material to its potential.