Having trouble identifying what should be washed using a pressure washer and what you should soft wash? Read on for an answer to this and other pressing questions surrounding a pressure washer.
If you are thinking of cleaning especially your homeโs exterior, chances are there are two types of cleaning methods you are thinking of using. These two are soft washing and pressure washing. So which cleaning method should you use? Well, the ideal cleaning method comes down to what you plan on cleaning.
Unfortunately, not many know what they should pressure wash and what they should soft wash and as a result, end up getting a bad result. Furthermore, there is lots of misleading information about these two.
It is with this that weโve opted to share with you this post. Below youโll find details on what should be pressure washed and what should be soft washed. Before that, however, below is a small brief about these two cleaning methods.
Pressure Washing
What is pressure washing? Well, itโs the process of cleaning or removing surface material (dirt) from any given surface. A plus with pressure washing is the assurance that youโll completely remove unwanted dirt from any given surface.
Any typical pressure washing process involves breaking down and pushing away unwanted dirt or material. This is why itโs a common cleaning method when it comes to matters cleaning a homeโs exterior. A common use is usually on hard surfaces like sidewalks, patios, fences, driveways and even decks. In some instances, painters use pressure washing to blow off loose paint before applying a new coat of paint.
While pressure washing is recommended it can be damaging and dangerous as well. This is more so true if you overdo it. This is why it is recommended to hire a professional to handle all your pressure washing needs.
What Should You Pressure Wash?
Generally, it is important that you use pressure washing when dealing with hard, resilient substrates. Why is this? Well, you are sure that you wonโt damage what you are cleaning. Equally as important is making sure that you get proper ratios. This is one of the reasons why it is recommended you seek the services of a professional. A good number of professionals have perfected the art of getting the right ratios.
One of the things you can use pressure washing for is cleaning your entire house. This is especially so if you want to completely remove unwanted living organisms (mold and mildew). Cleaning your driveway is another ideal process to use a pressure washer. The pressure wash will have your driveway looking like new as it completely rids of all unwanted dirt. For your driveway, it is best that you apply your cleaning solution using a professional-grade surfactant. A professional-grade surfactant basically has wetting agents that help keep your cleaning solution wet for long hours. This helps in guaranteeing a thorough cleaning.
Other cleaning tasks that are ideal with a pressure washer include:
- Fences
- Decks
- Interior Warehouses
- Interior Barns
- Roof
With every pressure wash, always ensure that you complete it with a thorough wash and rinse. In some instances, you might be forced to use heat. Why well, so as to completely remove contaminants that might remain on the surface. If you seek services of a professional, theyโll have your deck, fence, roof or even driveway looking stunning and brand new all year long. How you ask, well, a number of them use a sealing treatment after every wash. This sealing treatment is the one that keeps your driveway or deck looking stunning all year long.
Soft Washing
What is soft washing? Itโs a cleaning process that mostly uses eco-friendly and environmentally safe chemicals. Think of it as the opposite of pressure washing as soft washing uses low pressure to clean. Many who opt for soft washing do so as it is less likely to cause any damage. Furthermore, it will not harm your plants if you happen to have a garden.
How does it work? With soft washing, the cleaning chemicals are applied on a surface and left to sit for a while. The entire process uses pressure that is not more than a garden horse thus its qualities of a soft cleaning method. Once complete, an antifungal residue is usually left behind. What this does is help prevent future growth of living organisms (mold and mildew) thus help keep your exterior clean for long. In some cases, it can prevent future growth for more than 18 months. While this cleaning process is considered safe it is still advised that you seek professional help. This is more so the case if you are new and not sure of what chemicals to use.
What Should You Soft Wash?
This is basically a cleaning service that uses a soft washing machine. With any given soft wash the main focus is usually on chemicals. This cleaning process heavily relies on chemicals as it doesnโt make use of pressure. In fact, the decision on whether you get your desired (good) results comes down to the chemicals you use. Get it right (use the right chemicals) in right proportions and you are definitely going to get perfect results.
So what should you soft wash? Well, soft washing is an ideal cleaning method for anyone looking at removing things like;
- Algae
- Mold
- Mildew
- Moss
- Lichen
Mold, Algae, Moss and the rest usually found on surfaces such as siding, rooftops, Dryvit and stucco. A common trait with all these surfaces is that they are soft thus the use of soft wash. Using pressure wash on any of these surfaces might damage them. This is actually one of the reasons why many prefer soft wash cleaning process as it can be used on just about any surface. If you are carrying out a soft wash always see to it that you are cognitive of where you are carrying it out. If you are carrying it out near a garden always ensure that you pre-soak your plants or flowers. Yes, you need to pre-soak your garden despite the fact that the chemicals you are using are eco-friendly.
Also, check out our next blog post about What Are All The Steps Involved In A Good Exterior House Cleaning During Spring Time?
