If you happen to live in or around Winston-Salem NC, and you need a pressure-washing professional to help you with your home, driveway, or deck, you might be wondering if there is a difference between power washing vs pressure washing.
The answer to that question is that there is a difference between the two exterior cleaning techniques. Today, the team here at Winston-Salem Power Washing will explain everything you need to know about pressure washing and power washing, including similarities, differences, and more!
Power Washing vs. Pressure Washing:
The difference between using a power washer vs. a pressure washer is as follows:
- Pressure Washing: Utilizes highly pressurized water to remove grime and clean surfaces.
- Power Washing: Utilizes high-pressure water AND heat to remove debris, grime, dirt, and stains. etc.
Tip to remember: Power washing uses hot water and pressurized water; pressure washers use just pressurized water.
Most homeowners hire professionals to complete pressure washing projects for them. Later, we will cover the surfaces safe for pressure and power washing. In most cases, as a homeowner, you will actually use soft washing vs. pressure washing on surfaces like your siding, roof, and new concrete.
Truthfully, you don’t need to know the difference as a homeowner. A professional pressure washing/power washing company will give you the best recommendation based on your surfaces!
Power Washing:
Power washing uses a combination of high-pressure water and heat. In addition to the standard water pressure, power washers also incorporate a heating element that heats the water to a specified temperature, typically between 180 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This heated water is then sprayed at high pressure onto the surfaces to remove dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and some stains.
Key Features of Power Washing:
- Heat: Adding heat makes power washing highly effective at removing tough stains, grease, and oil.
- Sanitization: The high-temperature water can kill bacteria and other microorganisms on surfaces.
- Heavy-duty Cleaning: Power washing is ideal for industrial and commercial applications and heavily soiled surfaces.
- Caution: The high temperature and pressure can damage certain surfaces, so it may not be suitable for all materials. This is why we recommend only utilizing professional exterior cleaning contractors with power washing.
When should you use power washing?
Power washing is typically used for larger jobs that require deep cleaning. For example, areas around dumpsters or gas stations/garages with really bad oil stains might need something more than just pressure. In these cases, a power washer and a professional power washing company are the best bet!
- Power Washing: Use power washing for tough, deeply embedded stains or when sanitization is crucial.
- Power washing is suitable for concrete driveways, industrial equipment, or areas with heavy grease and oil buildup. Dumpster pads and other areas that are exposed to lots of grime are often in need of power washing.
If you live in Winston-Salem NC Power Washing is a great way to clean exterior surfaces that are deeply stained or have significant build-up. For example, dark mold and algae around a pool deck in Winston-Salem might need power washing!
Pressure Washing:
On the other hand, pressure washing uses only high-pressure water at ordinary temperatures to clean surfaces. It is a versatile and effective method for cleaning various surfaces, including decks, sidewalks, siding, and more. Pressure washers rely solely on the force of the pressurized water to dislodge dirt and contaminants. In most cases, Winston-Salem residents looking for a “Power Washing Company Near Me” will find that most companies will actually pressure wash!
This is the most common form of residential home cleaning for exterior surfaces. Professional pressure washers will often use surfactants, soaps, and other cleaners to help clean surfaces as well (this is called soft washing).
Key Features of Pressure Washing:
- Versatility: Pressure washing is suitable for a wide range of surfaces, including wood, concrete, brick, and vinyl siding.
- Gentler on Surfaces: Since pressure washing doesn’t use heat, it’s less likely to damage delicate materials like wood or painted surfaces.
- Routine Maintenance: Pressure washing is ideal for regular cleaning and maintenance tasks to keep surfaces looking fresh.
- Environmentally Friendly: Because it doesn’t use heated water, pressure washing is considered more environmentally friendly than power washing.
When should you use pressure washing?
Most residential cleaning projects will use elements of surfactants and pressure washers for cleaning purposes. The high pressure helps remove dirt and grim. While power washing is the more heavy-duty option, pressure washing your home’s exterior is more common.
- Pressure Washing: Opt for pressure washing for routine cleaning tasks, decks, patios, and delicate surfaces like wood. It’s a more versatile and safer option for most residential applications.
Can you pressure wash on your own?
Choosing between power and pressure washing depends on your specific cleaning needs. Sometimes homeowners will ask if they can clean their homes using a pressure washer. DIY power washing or pressure washing is never recommended unless you do thorough research prior.
Pressure and hot water can damage a surface is not used correctly. Power washers have settings that require experience, and surfaces (like siding) should not be cleaned with pressurized water.
What surfaces can you power wash and pressure wash?
The following surfaces are safe for both pressure washing and power washing:
- Concrete
- Driveways, patios, walkways, sidewalks
- Decks, fences, wood surfaces
- Pool decks
- Metal surfaces
- Brick
The appropriate PSI and heat settings must be utilized depending on the surface.
Surfaces NOT safe for power or pressure washing include:
- Asphalt shingle roofs (roof soft washing)
- Siding
Asphalt shingle roofs and siding require soft washing techniques!
The Verdict –
Now you know the key differences between power washing and pressure washing. While power washing and pressure washing both involve high-pressure water, the critical difference lies in the addition of heat aka hot water. Power washing is more heavy-duty and suitable for more challenging cleaning jobs, while pressure washing is versatile and better for routine maintenance.
That dirty garage floor or the stadium covered in chewing gum might need a power washing pro, whereas the tough dirt on your patio might just need to be hit with a pressure washer. Either way, outdoor surfaces that need to be cleaned have three options:
- Pressure washing
- Power washing
- Soft washing
If you live in Winston-Salem and own a home, chances are you won’t need a power washer, but instead, most companies like us will use pressure washers to do most of the cleaning. When it comes to cleaning exterior surfaces, the key is knowing when to use pressure vs. soft washing softer surfaces.
Choosing the method that best suits your specific cleaning requirements to achieve the best results while preserving the integrity of your surfaces is often left to the professional you hire. This is why going with Mark and Winston-Salem Power Washing is your best bet!
For a free quote and an amazing job, simply Call Mark or message us here!
