What is pressure washing?
Pressure washing uses a stream of water delivered at relatively high pressure to physically remove dirt, grime, algae and other contamination from a surface.
It can be very effective on harder, durable surfaces such as:
- Concrete
- Block paving
- Some patios
- Driveways
- Certain hard external surfaces
The pressure and nozzle used should still be appropriate for the surface. Too much pressure, or holding the nozzle too close, can damage pointing, erode softer materials or leave unwanted marks.
What is soft washing?
Soft washing relies much less on pressure and more on a cleaning solution designed to break down organic contamination such as algae, moss and lichen.
The solution is applied to the surface and allowed time to work before the area is rinsed or cleaned as appropriate.
This approach can be particularly useful for surfaces that could be damaged by aggressive pressure, including some render, painted surfaces, roofs and delicate materials.
Which is better?
Neither method is simply "better". The correct method depends on the surface, the type of contamination and the condition of the material.
A good exterior cleaning job isn't about using the highest pressure possible. It's about using enough pressure to do the job safely while allowing the cleaning method to do most of the work.
Why does the method matter?
Using the wrong method can create unnecessary problems. For example, a surface may look clean immediately after aggressive pressure washing but have been damaged in the process.
Professional cleaning involves assessing the surface first, considering what is actually causing the staining or growth, and choosing the most appropriate combination of pressure, water and cleaning solution.