Pressure Washing Vs. Soft Washing With Cen-Cal Pressure Pros
When the time comes that you need to clean your property’s exterior surfaces, you may find yourself confused regarding pressure washing vs. soft washing. These two processes, while similar, have different features that distinguish them. If you are not aware of these differences, and you choose the wrong technique for your project, the negative outcomes can vary. You could ineffectively clean a surface at best, or you could severely damage a surface at worst. Because of this, it is important to educate yourself, and you are in the right place for that purpose. We are Cen-Cal Pressure Pros, a local company that proudly provides pressure washing and soft washing services to the Fresno, CA area.
In this blog, we will review the differences between pressure washing and soft washing, and we will give you guidance regarding how to determine which technique is best for the job. Additionally, we are happy to provide you with pressure washing or soft washing services as needed, so consider a professional appointment with our crew if you are not confident in your ability to complete the work.
Why Property Owners Consider Pressure Washing and Soft Washing
Before addressing the topic of pressure washing vs. soft washing, it is important to understand what makes these two techniques so desirable in the first place. It all revolves around the fact that property exteriors don’t stay clean on their own. Over time, these surfaces will collect unwanted debris, including dirt, moss, mold, algae, and pollen. This debris does more than simply take away a property’s visual appeal. It can also cause damage over time. For example, some debris can grind against and erode surfaces; organic debris can store water and cause moisture damage to surfaces, too.
To mitigate the risk of surface damage, consider annual pressure washing. This will remove debris and help preserve your property’s exterior surfaces. It will also help you save money because fewer repairs equals less money spent.
What Sets Pressure Washing Apart?
Let’s start digging into the differences between pressure washing and soft washing. To begin, we’ll focus on pressure washing. Pressure washing is the use of high-pressure water to clean exterior surfaces. When we say high-pressure, we mean it—the technique sometimes uses as much as 3,000 PSI! But what does PSI mean? No, it doesn’t stand for psionics. It stands for pounds per square inch. To demonstrate the concept of pounds per square inch, imagine a square inch of area. Now, imagine that something is pressing down on it with the force of three thousand pounds. This is how pressure is typically measured, so expect to see “PSI” a lot when pressure washing is being discussed.
Pressure washing is most appropriate when cleaning surfaces that can withstand high amounts of PSI. We have listed some examples of these surfaces below. Do you see the material that you are planning to wash? If not, you may need to perform further research.
- Asphalt: (1,000–1,500 PSI)
- Stone: (1,500–2,500 PSI)
- Concrete: (2,500–3,000 PSI)
- Steel: (2,500–3,000+ PSI)
What Sets Soft Washing Apart?
Not all materials can be pressure washed. In fact, some are so sensitive that pressure washing would actually cause them damage. So does that mean that these materials are doomed to stay dirty when they collect debris? Not at all, and this is because of the soft washing process. Soft washing is much akin to pressure washing; it just uses less water pressure. This ensures safe results for even the most delicate surfaces. If needed, cleaning solutions such as sodium hypochlorite may be used to weaken stubborn debris. This ensures that surfaces wind up completely clean no matter how sensitive they are.
We have provided some examples of surfaces that should be soft washed below. Notice how the PSI required to clean these materials is lower than those in the previous section.
- Asphalt shingles: (100–300 PSI)
- Wood siding: (500–800 PSI)
- Old or delicate brick: (500–800 PSI)
How Pressure and Soft Washing Works
So, how exactly does pressure/soft washing work? First things first, determine what sort of surface, structure, or material you are washing. Then, using the information provided above (or another online source), make an educated decision on how much water pressure to use. Most pressure washers have a dial or knob that you can use to adjust settings as needed. After ensuring the correct amount of PSI has been selected, advance into the pressure/soft washing process.
To clean exterior surfaces, find a starting point, such as a corner or edge. Then, position yourself two feet away before spraying pressurized water. This should be enough to remove all debris from the area; if not, close the distance by an extra six inches. The closer you are to the surfaces you are cleaning, the more powerful the water jets will be.
When cleaning surfaces, pressurized water alone might not be enough to remove debris. If this is the case, Cen-Cal Pressure Pros recommends the use of a cleaning solution such as sodium hypochlorite. This powerful chemical can deteriorate stubborn debris without causing any damage to the surfaces themselves. In fact, sodium hypochlorite will not damage the environment, either. Instead, it harmlessly breaks down and decomposes.
Professional Pressure Washing and Soft Washing
Property owners often have their hands full with other responsibilities. From working a day job to watching the kids and even business management, there are all kinds of tasks that can make do-it-yourself pressure washing (or soft washing) an impossibility. Because of this, you are invited to reach out to Cen-Cal Pressure Pros for the professional assistance you need.
We provide professional pressure washing in Fresno, CA; we also provide soft washing in Fresno, CA. We also know when to determine which technique is best for the job. This means you won’t have to spend time racking your mind over pressure washing vs. soft washing. We’ve got you covered. Just contact us online if you are interested in scheduling an appointment.
