Your home acts as the first line of defense against the elements every day. Whether it’s windy, rainy, or snowing, your home keeps you safe and comfortable. However, because it takes a pretty harsh beating every day, your home can quickly become caked in dirt, dust, mold, algae, and other organic debris that can hurt your curb appeal.
When this debris builds up, you may consider pressure washing your home. But, it is important to understand that high pressure cleaning doesn’t necessarily mean you’re receiving the best cleaning. In fact, using high pressure when pressure washing your home may lead to more headaches than you anticipated.
In this blog, we’ll explain why high pressure may not be your ideal cleaning solution and what you should consider instead.
Why High Pressure Washing Can Void Your Home’s Warranty
When you purchase new siding for your home, the manufacturer will have strict cleaning guidelines you’ll need to follow if you want to keep your warranty in place. While you might think of this as a simple suggestion, failing to heed their recommendations can result in the voiding of your siding’s warranty. This means you’ll be responsible for paying for repairs or replacement.
Instead of using high pressure when pressure washing your home, many siding manufacturers recommend a low-pressure, detergent-based cleaning. Although this might not seem like a reliable way to address grime buildup on your siding, it is often more than sufficient in removing the toughest organic debris from your home.
Although it can be tempting to disregard the recommendations provided by your siding manufacturer, it is always best to follow their cleaning recommendations. Not only will this protect your siding’s warranty, but it will also ensure you are doing everything in your power to keep your siding looking its best without potential damage.
High Pressure vs. Soft Washing: Why Surface-Level Cleaning Isn’t Enough
If you’ve been considering pressure washing your home, you probably believe that the highest possible pressure will deliver the best results. However, this is not the case. When dealing with organic growths like mold, mildew, and algae, high pressure does not have the ability to address the source of this growth. Instead, it simply rinses away the visible signs of grime.
This means that, while your siding may look fine immediately following this cleaning, there is a chance that this growth will return within a few short months. Without proper cleaning, you may end up pressure washing your home over and over again with minimal results. Soft washing, on the other hand, kills mold and algae spores at the surface level.
Once your exterior cleaning team is done performing this soft washing, you can trust that the source of the grime buildup on your home has been thoroughly addressed. Unlike with high pressure washing, you can enjoy a home free from organic growth for years to come when you invest in this comprehensive cleaning method.
The Hidden Damage High Pressure Can Cause to Vinyl and Wood Siding
When it comes to pressure washing your home, you shouldn’t just be worried about addressing organic growths. You should also be concerned about potentially damaging your fragile siding materials. While wood and vinyl siding are strong enough to withstand everyday wear and tear, high pressure from pressure washing devices is a significant problem.
Choosing to use high pressure when pressure washing your vinyl and wood siding can result in water being pushed behind the siding, opening up the door for mold growth in places you can’t see or reach. Additionally, high pressure cleanings can damage your window seals, leading to air leaks and the potential for moisture intrusion when it rains or snows.
Finally, this pressure can leave unsightly stripes on the surface of your home. If you’re pressure washing your home to boost your curb appeal, these stripes do the opposite. Ultimately, if you want to protect your siding from avoidable damage and prevent displeasing stripes on your siding, it’s best to utilize a lower pressure soft washing technique.
How Soft Washing Eliminates Mold, Mildew, and Algae at the Source
Unlike high pressure cleanings, soft washing is known for removing mold, mildew, and algae spores at the source. But how exactly does it do this? Soft washing uses a low-pressure stream of water paired with eco-friendly cleaning solutions rather than a high-pressure blast to the surface of your siding.
When utilizing this lower pressure, the cleaning solutions, which contain surfactants, have time to dwell on the surface. During this period, the cleaning solution can kill organic growth at the molecular level instead of simply rinsing it away. The result is a home that is free from mold and algae spores and safe from frequent regrowths.
Protect Your Home with Manufacturer-Recommended Cleaning Methods
While pressure washing your home using a high pressure might seem tempting, soft washing is always the best option for your space. Cardinal Pressure Washing employs an advanced “soft washing” approach to ensure your home stays clean for the long term. Unlike the temporary fix of high-pressure cleaning, we focus on eradicating the source of unsightly growth.
We utilize a proprietary mixture of 100% biodegradable detergents, surfactants, and emulsifiers that safely kill mold, mildew, and algae at the molecular level. This potent yet gentle cleaning solution is delivered at a low pressure, adhering strictly to the cleaning guidelines provided by many wood and vinyl siding manufacturers.
By following these recommendations when cleaning organic debris from your siding, our soft washing process not only delivers longer-lasting results but also helps preserve your home’s existing warranty, giving you peace of mind and a truly clean exterior. If you want to ensure your home looks its best and is safe from damage, this is the clear way to deliver exceptional results.
Ready to Safely Begin Pressure Washing Your Home?
Homeowners in Columbus, OH, deserve a solution that delivers deep, long-lasting results while protecting their investment. Our team at Cardinal Pressure Washing specializes in manufacturer-recommended soft washing, utilizing eco-friendly solutions to safely eliminate mold, mildew, and algae at the source. Stop wasting time on temporary fixes when pressure washing your home. Choose the comprehensive, damage-free approach that keeps your home cleaner for longer.
Schedule your soft washing service today to ensure a pristine exterior and total peace of mind when pressure washing your home!