What is the difference between power washing and pressure washing?
Power washing uses heated water whereas its alternative does not. However, they both use psi levels over 1000 to blast away contaminants from surfaces. Since power washing uses hot water, it is best for durable, porous surfaces like concrete and asphalt. Driveways and walkways, for example, are the perfect candidates for this cleaning tactic because they receive a lot of daily wear and tear and are prone to getting tough grime and grease stains.
Is power washing better than pressure washing?
Neither is necessarily better than the other. It all depends on the material you’re cleaning. Certain surfaces cannot handle a power wash because heat and high water pressure combined can damage them. Overall, both techniques are effective at removing hard stains. You just have to choose the right method depending on what you’re cleaning.
Can power washing damage vinyl siding?
Yes! Vinyl is a very fragile material that can easily dent when power washed. Soft washing is the best method for your home’s siding.
Can power washing remove paint?
If you’re looking for a quick, easy way to remove old paint from surfaces, then power washing is a great option as it can remove paint from wood, concrete, metal, and more. However, if you’re simply trying to clean the exterior of your home and not take off a layer of paint, then consider using the soft wash process instead. This technique offers a gentle and effective clean and results that last.
Why should you never power wash your roof?
The heat and high water pressure can strip away protective coatings, causing leaks between the roofing sheets. If you want to clean your roof, invest in a soft wash system that will remove dirt without causing any lasting damage.
What is soft washing?
This is a gentle cleaning method that uses environmentally friendly detergents to rejuvenate the exterior of your home. The process utilizes gentle bottom jets of water, so it can be used anywhere on painted or unpainted surfaces without any damage. The soft wash system produces fantastic results without harming the integrity of your property’s surface.
Can I soft wash with a pressure washer?
This can be done but is not recommended. Using a pressure washer to clean unsealed surfaces, like wood siding, for example, poses a significant risk for paint damage or even worse, leakage thanks to stripping away protective coating between sheets of roofing. If you do choose to use one on your wood siding, make sure it’s applied at the setting with the lowest power level.
How often should you soft wash your roof?
It is recommended to do so once every 2-5 years to keep your roof in good shape. This also reminds you to inspect your roof regularly to prevent minor issues from becoming major problems down the road. LBL Softwash provides routine maintenance to keep your property in the best condition possible.
Why do roofs get black streaks?
These ugly black streaks are caused by algae called Gloeocapsa magma, which grow and gradually turn black as they accumulate. Roofs that are constantly in the shade of large trees are especially susceptible to algae growth because moisture stays on the surface longer.
How long does soft wash last?
A soft wash can last up to 6 times longer than a pressure wash does because of the detergents used to sanitize the surface(s). Therefore, results can last from 3-5 years depending on the surface being cleaned and the amount of wear and tear it gets.
Get your home or commercial property professionally power washed. Call LBL Softwash or fill out our contact form.
