Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing

There is a big difference between soft washing and pressure washing. Depending upon what part of the country you live in, you may be more familiar with "pressure washing" or "power washing." If there is terminology that some may not be familiar with, it's more than likely "soft washing." Soft washing typically requires more explanation of what is required and expected. But those familiar with soft washing know to ask their local pressure washing company, "You're not going to use high pressure to wash my house, are you"? Because they understand the risk involved when blasting the side of their house with 4000 psi (pounds per square inch). So let's talk about the different uses of soft washing and pressure washing.

Soft Washing

When washing a roof, only the soft washing method should be used. This can be done by using a small electric pump that operates off of batteries the size of lawnmowers or vehicles. Soft washing is the safe practice for roof washing and house washing, though it is possible to use a pressure washer for house washing when using the correct orifice (tips) that dramatically lowers the pressure of the pressure washer. The tips that are used with a soft washer are much wider than the tips that traditionally come with the pressure washer. Caution should always be taken when using a pressure washer by performing a test-spot on a part of the house that is not visible for others to ensure damage does not occur. Soft washing your home with an electric pump, and particularly your roof, is the best practice to ensure the safety of your home. Never attempt to use a pressure washer to wash a roof and use extreme caution around windows.

Pressure Washing

Pressure washing with high pressure of 1000-4000 psi is traditionally reserved for flat work such as concrete driveways, brick patios, and more. Though it should be noted that 1000-2500 psi is normally plenty to clean any flat surface. Just as caution should be taken when performing roof and house washing, so caution should be taken when using high pressure to clean flat surfaces such as concrete, brick, stone, tile, pool patios, and more by performing a test-spot. When too much pressure is applied to certain surfaces, the top layers of those surfaces can be exposed. It is best to start with minimum pressure and begin to work your way up to higher pressure if seeing that the current pressure you are working with is not cleaning the surface as it should. This applies whether using a pressure washing wand with certain tips or using a surface cleaner that can attach to the wand's end. Take caution by not using more pressure than is necessary.

Call Your Local Professional

To ensure your home and landscaping are protected, contact your local pressure washing or soft washing company. They will have all the necessary training and equipment to keep your property safe from damage. Be sure to ask good questions about the type of pressure that will be put on your home and the proper protection used for your landscaping. If you are located in the surrounding Tallahassee area, contact Premier Pressure Washing and Window Cleaning Services by filling out our contact form.