Soft Vs. Pressure Wash: The Salt Lake City Guide To Washing Methods
Who doesn’t take pride in their home or business’s sparkling facade? You always want your property to look its best. There’s no simpler way to achieve that than with regular pressure cleaning or soft washing on the exterior areas.
Many of Salt Lake City’s homes and businesses look transformed after a professional cleaning session. But which approach is right for your property’s unique surfaces and needs? You’ll need to choose between soft washing and pressure washing.
To help you understand the differences, this post delves deeper into these two techniques that make annual maintenance so much easier.
Understanding Soft Washing
- Surfactants: Reduce the surface tension of liquids, helping them spread and penetrate grime on your surfaces.
- Bleach: A potent disinfectant that neutralizes most types of bacterial growth and mold.
- Neutralizers: Protect plants and other materials from damage by runoff from cleaning chemicals. Some also prevent further buildup by creating a protective coating.
- Odor removers: Neutralize unpleasant smells, even around dumpster pads.
- Wood panel sidings
- Vinyl sidings
- Cedar shake sidings
- Roofs
- Brick, pavers, and tile
- Doors and windows
- Outdoor furniture
- Stucco
Exploring Pressure Washing
Pressure washing removes dirt, grime, mud, mold, and loose paint without using chemicals. It relies on high-pressure water ranging from 1,300 to 3,000 psi to clean exterior surfaces through brute force.
Pressure washing is best for stubborn stains and debris on tough surfaces, such as:
- Concrete driveways
- Stone pathways
- Garage floors
- Patios
- Treated wood decks
When choosing between soft washing and pressure washing, consider the following differences:
Water Pressure
The primary difference is the amount of pressure involved. Pressure washing can use up to 3,000 psi to scour surfaces, while soft washing only uses 150 to 300 psi. Soft washing is much less likely to damage surface materials.
Cleaning Agents
Soft washing combines low-pressure water with cleaning agents like sodium hypochlorite and algaecides. You can also use neutralizers to mitigate the adverse effects of runoff. Pressure washing, on the other hand, relies solely on water pressure.
Potential Risks
High-power pressure washing can be difficult to operate and can be disastrous if handled incorrectly. If you use it on surfaces that require soft washing, they can sustain damage, such as:
- Stripping paint from walls or removing grout or mortar between tiles and bricks
- Removing asphalt shingles during roof cleaning
- Causing costly water damage if high pressure forces water underneath siding
Soft washing minimizes these risks as the low-pressure equipment is easier to control and won’t damage surfaces.
Versatility
Soft washing is generally more versatile and can be used on a wider range of surfaces and materials. Pressure washing is limited to tougher surfaces.
Areas Suitable For Soft Washing And Pressure Washing In Salt Lake City Homes
If you’re confused about which method to use for your Salt Lake City home or business, use soft washing on fragile surfaces and high-pressure washing for rust stains, graffiti, and other stubborn stains.
For surfaces like vinyl tiles and softwood, soft washing is ideal. For tough stains on driveways or patios, pressure washing is more effective.
In Salt Lake City, you’ll often find these surfaces that require maintenance and won’t always stand up to power washing:
- Metal
- Concrete
- Brick
- Aluminum
- Hardwood
While it might be tempting to use a high-pressure washer on your car, windows, or painted surfaces, experts advise caution to avoid stripping paint or tearing up warranties.
Professional Services Vs. DIY
Choosing between pressure washing and soft washing is simple when you know what you’re doing, but doing them yourself is a different story. Achieving optimal results requires the right skills and equipment. Instead of risking damage, hire a licensed and insured professional pressure washing company in Salt Lake City. Ensure your safety and that of your property while guaranteeing high-quality cleaning results.
Schedule Your Pressure Washing With Us Today!
The type of surface you want to clean and the desired results matter when it comes to choosing a soft vs. pressure wash. Our professionals can help you choose the best technique based on your property’s specific needs.
