Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing

It’s surprising just how dirty the outside of your home can get over the course of 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 whether you invest a lot of time and care into it.

Some of these materials, like dirt, are harmless, but algae and mold can be destructive to your health and to your home. These contaminants produce allergens that can affect your family, and some of them, like algae, can grow directly underneath vinyl or roofing material and enter into your home.

As a professional pressure washing service in Grapevine, we recommend you have your home’s exterior cleaned once every 12 months. Spring is typically the most common time to do an extreme home exterior cleaning, but you can really do it any time throughout the year so long as the weather allows.

WHAT NEEDS PRESSURE WASHING?

All of the following surfaces need to be pressure washed from time to time:

• Vinyl siding
• Rock and stone
• Brick
• Concrete and asphalt

Power washing used to be the only option to properly clean vinyl, brick and painted surfaces. Now, homeowners have a second option for exterior home cleaning: soft washing.

Like the names imply, one method is much gentler than the other, but there’s more to it than just that. Let’s cover the features of each to help you decide which is best for your home.

WHAT IS SOFT WASHING?

The soft wash method uses less pressure than a typical pressure washer, hence the name. The maximum water pressure in a soft washing system is 500 PSI. This lower spray is produced from a nozzle with a wider spray option, only slightly more powerful than your backyard lawn hose.

Soft washing uses a mixture of detergent, bleach and water in combination to eliminate organic matter and debris from your home, roof and other surfaces. The cleaning mixture used in a soft washing system can include algaecides and residual inhibitors to help slow further growth of these organisms in the future.

Because chemicals, not water pressure, are responsible for cleaning the exterior surfaces, no powerful water pressure is needed. This means that soft washing should be used for delicate surfaces that might otherwise be harmed by harsher pressure washing.

The soft wash chemicals are sometimes rinsed off, but not always. This just depends on what type of chemicals are used, if there is plant or animal life that can be affected by the solution runoff, and if the solution itself is strong enough to harm surfaces over time.

Soft washing provides the advantage of reaching into cracks and crevices to kill unseen bacteria, meaning that its results can last longer than standard pressure washing.

WHAT IS PRESSURE WASHING?

Pressure washing has always been the standard for cleaning exterior surfaces. It is highly effective and quick, which is why most home and business owners prefer it over soft washing.

This cleaning method uses water only, there are no chemicals, to remove stains and mildew from exterior surfaces. The use of chemical-free water is a major advantage to home owners that don’t want to use cleaning chemicals, either for the sake of the environment or to avoid zoning violations.

The pressure washing process can be used on several different materials. Home and business owners often prefer pressure washing for cleaning their driveway, porches, decks, sidewalks and outdoor furniture because it is quick, efficient and affordable.

Pressure washing needs anywhere from 1300 to 3100 PSI water pressure with water being sprayed out from a tiny nozzle for maximum power. Both organic and inorganic materials are blasted from your home’s exterior surface, preventing their growth and restoring the curb appeal of your home.

One negative about pressure washing is that the water can sometimes be too powerful and can damage the surfaces you want to clean. Pressure washing is strong enough to cut grooves in wood and plastic, and it can push into cracks, breaking off pieces of stone or brick.

IS PRESSURE WASHING OR SOFT WASHING BETTER?

The obvious question for most homeowners is, “Which one should I choose?”

Both soft washing and pressure washing methods are good for your home’s exterior, as well as sidewalks, driveways and more. Both of these cleaning systems can be performed by a professional – and truthfully, are more effectively done when left to the pros.

Soft washing is excellent for outdoor play equipment, yard tools, shingle roofs, decks, gutters, patios and painted surfaces because it is less likely to harm plastic and wood. It’s also a safe choice for vinyl siding.

It kills organisms that are present on the exterior surface, and it prevents future growth for longer than pressure washing can.

A problem with soft washing is that it can kill plants underneath the surface you’re cleaning. Remember to spray them with water before putting the soft wash solution on your home or roof, and it won’t be a problem.

Pressure washing is considered the preferred method for difficult stains, and hard surfaces like asphalt, stone and brick. Pressure washing is the recommended method for commercial surfaces. A local pressure washing service in Grapevine might use a combination of chemicals and water pressure to eliminate tough stains, but they need to let you know if they are going to be using chemicals during your estimate.

It can be used on siding as well (and has been for several years) so long as it is done correctly. Powerful water pressure can damage weak or smaller pieces of vinyl. A service that does pressure washing all the time will know how to protect vulnerable areas, but a first-timer could do a lot of harm.

Your home’s roof is definitely off limits for pressure washing if you have slate, tile or asphalt shingles. The pressure of the water can ruin these materials and cause you to replace your home’s roof a lot earlier than expected.

Deciding between pressure washing or soft washing is best left for a professional pressure washing service. Which process is right for your home? Give Grapevine Pressure Washing a call at 817-203-0692 and we’ll send a trained technician over to take a look!