Soft washing vs. pressure washing: which does your home need?

"Power washing" gets used for everything, but there are two very different ways to clean the outside of a home. Choosing the right one protects your siding, roof and wood.

Pressure washing: force for hard surfaces

Pressure washing uses a high-pressure stream of water to blast dirt off a surface. It’s the right tool for:

• Concrete driveways, walkways and patios
• Brick and stone pavers
• Garage floors

Even here, pressure has to be adjusted. Older concrete and soft pavers need less, and a rotary surface cleaner gives a more even result than a wand.

Soft washing: chemistry for delicate surfaces

Soft washing uses low pressure, about what a garden hose puts out, along with a cleaning solution that breaks down dirt, algae and mildew. Then everything is rinsed with clean water. It’s the right method for:

• Vinyl, fiber cement and wood siding
• Stucco
• Roofs
• Painted surfaces, fences and decks

Why pressure washing siding is a problem

High pressure on siding can:

• Force water behind panels and into walls.
• Strip paint and etch wood.
• Crack stucco.
• Knock protective granules off shingles.

It also tends to leave the roots of algae and mildew behind, so the stains come back quickly.

So which one do I need?

Most homes need both: soft washing for the house and roof, pressure washing for the driveway and walks. A good company chooses the method for each surface. That’s how our house washing and pressure washing services work.

Not sure what you need? Use our soft washing page to see what’s included, or get an instant price for your home.