Pressure washing is using pressurized water to clean dirt, algae, and other contaminants from outdoor surfaces. Methods can vary depending on the machine being used and the surface that’s being cleaned.
Perhaps you’ve heard the terms “power washing” and “pressure washing” and wondered what the difference is. Some articles suggest it’s a difference in temperature. However, in practical use, the terms are used interchangeably. Soft washing and pressure washing are different, pressure washing is a more powerful stream of pressurized water.
Pressure washing is great for those surfaces that require much more pressure than soft washing to be able to get to the dirt, lift it out, and away. For example, concrete is a durable surface that is cleaned using a higher amount of pressure. Because concrete is porous, contaminants soak into the surface of the concrete, requiring a good amount of pressure to properly flush them out.
Another instance where pressure can be beneficial is in preparing to repaint or reseal your deck. With the proper amount of pressure, a lot of loose paint and sunspots can be taken off by pressure washing. With that said, too much pressure on a deck can be devastating, so it’s critical to have the knowledge and experience to find that sweet spot.
