Pressure and power washing are often used interchangeably, and for good reason. They both use strong blasts of water to wash away tough stains, grime, and more from exterior surfaces.
However, despite their many similarities, there is a difference between the two. Let’s take a quick look at how power and pressure washing differ from each other and what kinds of situations they’re best suited for.
What’s the Difference Between Pressure and Power Washing?
The main difference between pressure washing and power washing lies in the use of water temperature. Pressure washing uses high-pressure water to clean exterior surfaces, relying solely on the force of the water to dislodge dirt and grime.
Power washing, on the other hand, incorporates heated water, making it more effective for deep cleaning tasks. The presence of a heating element in a power washing machine allows it to handle tougher jobs like removing grease stains or breaking down sticky substances such as chewing gum. Also, power washing generally uses more water.
Both power washers and pressure washers utilize high-pressure water spray, but the addition of very hot water in power washing helps achieve better results for more stubborn cleaning challenges. Understanding these differences is incredibly important when deciding which cleaning method to use for a specific task, as choosing the wrong surface can end up damaging it.
Which Situations Are Best Suited for Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing applications are ideal for hard surfaces that can withstand high-pressure water. Driveways, sidewalks, and brick walls benefit greatly from pressure washing services, as the pressurized water effectively removes dirt, mold, and mildew.
A pressure washer can also be used to clean outdoor surfaces like metal fences or concrete patios, where cold water is sufficient to clear away grime. For softer surfaces, it is essential to adjust how much pressure is applied to avoid creating any damage.
Pressure washers are also effective for general maintenance tasks like removing light stains or debris from outdoor furniture. Overall, this cleaning method works best when a high-pressure water spray is needed to clean outdoor surfaces without requiring heat.
What Circumstances Are Better for Power Washing?
Power washing services excel in situations where heated water offers a cleaning advantage, especially for deep cleaning of commercial or industrial options like heavily soiled machinery. A power washer is particularly effective at removing grease stains, moss, and other persistent residues that cold water alone cannot tackle.
For cleaning exterior surfaces in colder climates, the combination of high pressure and very hot water ensures that organic materials such as algae are fully eradicated. Both power washing and pressure washing methods have their place, but the former is often preferred for sanitizing tasks or removing substances that require more than water pressure alone.
For Professional Pressure Washing Services, Reach Out to Patriot Exterior Cleaning!
Aren’t sure whether it’s better to power or pressure wash one of your exterior surfaces? Our team will! At Patriot Exterior Cleaning, we offer professional pressure washing and other house washing services in Willis and the greater Houston region so that homeowners like you can maintain clean, beautiful properties.