Has the time come to clean your property’s exterior surfaces? If so, you’ll definitely want to do your research. Before you can go about cleaning these surfaces, you have to understand the best techniques for the project. You’ve probably heard about pressure washing and power washing. However, which one is right for you? In this power washing vs. pressure washing blog, we’ll break down the differences and help you pick a strategy that’s best for your Vineland, NJ property.
At Redline Exterior Cleaners, we specialize in pressure washing, and we look forward to sharing what we know with you. Don’t forget that you can also book an appointment with us if you need. Contact us anytime!
An Introduction to Exterior Cleaning
Before our power washing vs. pressure washing breakdown, it’s best to introduce the basic concepts of exterior cleaning. Here’s the long story short. Over time, your property’s exterior surfaces gather debris, gradually becoming dirtier and dirtier. Eventually, this problem will become so pronounced that it’s difficult to ignore. At this point, you’ll want to prioritize exterior cleaning—i.e., pressure washing or power washing—to rinse away debris and reclaim your property’s beauty.
By cleaning exterior surfaces, you don’t just improve your home or business’s appearance. You also help surfaces last longer by preventing debris-related damage. This means that regular exterior cleaning can save you money in the long run! Avoid the need for costly repairs by ensuring damage doesn’t happen in the first place.
Power Washing vs. Pressure Washing: Are They Different?
So, what sets pressure washing and power washing apart? The answer, frustratingly, is sometimes nothing. That’s right. People don’t necessarily agree if these two techniques are the same thing or not, so any distinctions between them will vary from source to source.
At Redline Exterior Cleaners, we treat pressure washing and power washing as identical. So, whichever one you ask for, you receive high-pressure cleaning and exterior surfaces that sparkle and shine. Our goal is to delight our clients no matter what they need us to wash. Whatever label you put on that washing isn’t important to us.
Potential Differences Between Pressure and Power Washing
At the same time, though, many companies and people establish differences between power washing vs. pressure washing. Let’s explore some of these in the section below.
Differences in Temperature
Some sources claim that power washing differs from pressure washing in temperature. Typically, when this distinction is made, it’s clarified that power washing uses warm or hot water whereas pressure washing uses room temperature water.
In this case, the “power” in power washing is in reference to the heat, which can make it easier to break down certain kinds of surface debris.
Differences in Water Pressure
Others assert that power washing uses more water pressure than pressure washing. For example, a company that makes this distinction may “pressure wash” a wooden deck with 2,000 PSI and “power wash” a concrete patio with 3,500 PSI.
Since different surfaces must be treated with different water pressure settings, this means that, by this definition, power washing is not appropriate for all materials.
Differences in Use of Cleaning Solutions
Finally, you may even find that some sources distinguish between pressure and power washing by whether cleaning solutions are used. For example, pressure washing may use a simple detergent whereas power washing uses a powerful chemical like sodium hypochlorite.
Redline Exterior Cleaners also uses sodium hypochlorite during our day-to-day work. This cleaning solution is a fantastic choice because it weakens grime without harming your property or the environment.
Don’t Forget About Soft Washing
When considering power washing vs. pressure washing, it’s worth noting that there is a third exterior cleaning technique called soft washing. Soft washing is a form of pressure washing that uses a very low level of water pressure. For example, pressure and power washing can use as much as 3,500 PSI. On the other hand, soft washing typically uses less than 1,000 PSI. This makes it a great choice for delicate surfaces and materials, including:
- Asphalt shingles
- Vinyl siding
- Stucco
- Painted surfaces
- Wood siding
- Delicate outdoor furniture
If these surfaces were to be cleaned with too much water pressure, they would become damaged. In other words, knowing when to soft wash instead of pressure wash is crucial.
It Never Hurts to Ask
As you’ve seen, power washing vs. pressure washing is a topic that people don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye on. So, whenever you are scheduling services from a company, be sure to ask what exactly you’re getting. That way, you know how exactly they define pressure washing, power washing, and other related techniques.
Remember, a team of professionals understands the needs of your property. They’ll be able to determine the best technique to clean exterior surfaces regardless of what they call that technique.
Why Schedule an Appointment With Redline Exterior?
What makes Redline Exterior Cleaners the best choice for your exterior cleaning needs? By scheduling an appointment with us, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
- High-quality results. Our team of professionals is prepared to completely restore your property’s exterior surfaces. We leave no debris behind.
- Save time and energy. By letting our crew do all the work, you can spend your time and energy on what’s actually important to you.
- Reasonable prices. We are prepared to clean your property’s exterior surfaces for a fair price with no hidden fees attached.
What can you expect to pay? That depends on the overall size of your exterior cleaning project. The more surface area you have for us to wash, the more the final cost will be. Expect a free quote at the beginning of your appointment. You can also contact us online for a free estimate. If you like our price, just choose a time and date for your appointment, and we will be there shortly to do what we do best.
We look forward to serving you and cleaning your property’s exterior surfaces. No need to choose between power washing vs. pressure washing. We’ll make all the decisions so you can focus on other things!