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Learn the Differences and Best Areas for Pressure Washing and Soft Washing

Posted by Nolan Painting on June 25, 2018
Pressure Washing

POWER WASHING

Power Washing is the process of removing surface material such as dirt, mud, mildew, mold and other contaminants from the exterior features of your house by using specialized equipment. There are two types of power washing methods that Nolan Painting specializes in providing to homeowners: pressure washing and soft washing.

 

Pressure Washing

Pressure washing is a technique used to clean the exterior of your home with high pressure and low volume. It is done with a normal temperature of water at pressures of up to 4,000 PSI. The force of this water comes out at a very high pressure, and will blast away the dirt, mold, mildew, stains and loose paint. Loose paint is of a particular concern because paints chips from houses built before 1979 may have lead. We need to contain and clean up thoroughly all paint chips. So sometimes we might scrape the house first to remove the loose paint prior to pressure washing. Or we may decide to use a soft-wash method. This can be discussed with your estimator. It is best to hire an experienced home services company like Nolan Painting to handle your power washing needs to avoid damaging you or your property.

What Areas Are Best for Pressure Washing

  • Concrete areas like sidewalks and pathways
  • Fences
  • Decks
  • Driveways
  • Patios
  • Pathways

These areas need the extra, high pressure to get rid of the dirt build up, and these areas are strong enough not to be harmed by the pressure. Note that wood decks can be entirely renewed by simply pressure washing.

 

Soft Washing

The soft washing process uses low pressure and therefore has a high volume of coverage. It also uses biodegradable, environmentally safe, cleaning solutions to clean the exterior features of your home.

Protective coatings on the surfaces of your exterior home were obviously made to withstand the harsh, outdoor elements. However, they can be chipped away by power washing methods like pressure washing. But with soft washing you don’t have to worry about your paint chipping. Also, its low pressure process is ideal for cleaning your home in between paint jobs to keep the house looking fresh without damaging the previous paint job.

The application of soft wash has become the safest and most effective way to clean fungus and algae growths on various different surfaces. You’ll see the best clean results when applied to:

  • vinyl and wood siding
  • stucco
  • masonry surfaces
  • pavers
  • concrete

It is highly recommended that you use a professional, experienced power washing company like Nolan Painting to complete the soft washing process on your house. While this service does not use, high powered pressured systems, the chemicals and dirty removal process are hazardous enough to require professional attention.

At Nolan Painting we do pressure washing and soft washing, so ask your estimator what is best for your home. Contact us today for your power washing needs!