Do you know the difference between pressure washing and power washing? If you don’t- don’t worry. You’re not alone. Many people use these two terms interchangeably, believing that they mean the same thing. While these two are very closely related, there is an important difference between the two. Find out what separates pressure washing from power washing and what situations suit each cleaning option better. If you’re considering a pressure cleaning option for your Burnaby property, this guide may help you make your choice!
PRESSURE WASHING
Pressure washing is practically self-explanatory: an electric or gas-powered pump rapidly pumps water at extremely high pressures (1000 PSI or more), focusing that force into a tight, powerful stream that’s perfect for scouring out stains. Pressure washing is typically used on surfaces where less invasive cleaning methods such as scrubbing don’t have much effect. Pressure washing is ideal for cleaning:
- Concrete areas like driveways and sidewalks
- Paved areas
- Brick
- Metal
Pressure washing is good for removing dirt, mud, and grime, and can be used to remove substances such as old, chipping paint from wooden surfaces. This makes it an ideal method for both cosmetic cleanings and for sanitizing exterior surfaces.
POWER WASHING
Pressure washing is a very powerful cleaning method, but sometimes, even it is not powerful enough. When pressure washing alone is not enough to get the job done, that’s when we switch to power washing.
Power washing IS pressure washing- but there’s a difference. Pressure washing just uses plain old water without altering the temperature at which it enters the pump. Power washing, however, adds another factor to the cleaning process: heat. A power washing pump heats the water up to as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat helps as it can further break down substances that aren’t affected by the pressurized washing alone.
Power washing is ideal for jobs such as:
- Graffiti removal
- Cleaning up large oil stains and other hydrophobic substances
- Sanitizing hardscape of mold and bacteria
OTHER PRESSURE CLEANING ALTERNATIVES
Most exteriors can benefit from pressure cleaning in some way. Standard pressure washing can do a lot, but sometimes power washing is a viable option when the job in question involves sanitizing unsanitary areas or cleaning heavy or old stains. However, both of these cleaning methods utilize very high-PSI streams. What happens if you want to clean an area that can be damaged by pressure washing, such as windows!
Soft washing is a gentle alternative to pressure washing that’s perfect for cleaning windows, sidings, and other fragile areas. Soft washing tends to utilize pressures at or below 1000 PSI, using detergents to slowly treat stained or contaminated areas.
