Low-pressure house washing, also known as a soft wash or soft washing, is one of several processes through which you can clean the exterior of your home. Low-pressure washing is more favorable than high-pressure washing in many cases, and learning the difference can help you make better decisions regarding your unique needs. Having your home cleaned with a low-pressure wash as opposed to conventional high-pressure “power washing” removes the risks of damaging the exterior of your home.
It’s Not All About the Dirt
Many homeowners go out and buy a pressure washer thinking that they need to use high pressure to remove the dirt, algae, or grime build-up on the exterior of their home. However, this is not at all the case. The type and amount of dirt on the exterior of a home should never dictate the pressure that you need to clean it. The only thing that defines which type of pressure that should be used is the material to be cleaned, and many homeowners who attempt to do it themselves fail to understand this. They often do more harm than good.
Understanding Different Materials
Concrete is a very hard and porous material, and it allows stains to really sink in; so many companies turn to high-pressure washing to get deep inside the concrete’s pores. On the other hand, vinyl siding isn’t very porous, and using high pressure on it may actually damage and punch holes in the vinyl. This is where low-pressure washing comes in. It will undeniably clean the vinyl; removing the algae, dirt and grime, but it will not leave any damage behind. This is also the case for home exterior materials such as stucco, Dryvit, Hardie Board, and aluminum siding. Power washing materials like this can leave behind permanent damage from the force of the high-pressure water.
When to Use Low Pressure House Washing
Low pressure should be used for virtually all exterior home washing projects regardless of the material. The typical soft wash uses enough pressure to thoroughly clean many different materials, which include vinyl, fiber cement, stucco, Dryvit and even brick. In fact, it is even possible to pressure wash wood shingles on the side of your home. In some cases, it may be necessary to re-seal your wood siding following a soft wash, too. Apart from reducing the risk of damage, low-pressure washing is a quicker and more effective process.
Hiring the Right Company
The best thing you can do to protect the exterior of your home is call a licensed and insured company to handle the power washing for you. You’ll want to find a company that uses a soft wash process for home exterior cleaning.
Low-pressure house washing is the most efficient and effective way to clean the exterior of your home. It’s suitable for removing things like dirt, salt buildup, mold, mildew, algae and much more. Be sure to hire the right company for the job, and have your home cleaned regularly to keep it looking its best. Get in-touch with us to get a free quote to have your home exterior cleaned.