You might have seen those satisfying videos of homeowners pressure washing their driveway, sidewalk, or deck. This may have led you to consider pressure washing your house, especially if you have begun to see evidence of grime, dirt, and organic matter build up on the exterior of your home. But soft washing may actually be the better solution.
Though pressure washing is an excellent cleaning method and has its place, soft washing is actually the way to go when cleaning your house. But what is “soft washing”? Let’s get into the differences and why pressure washing the side of your home can actually be a big mistake.
Cleaning Your House
The outside of your house needs occasional cleaning to maintain the best appearance and prevent any damage. Dirt, dust, pollen, and organic matter, like mold, mildew, or algae, will often cling to the side of a building and cause it to look green, dirty, and dull.
Though routine cleaning is important to schedule in, you may need to hire a professional if you are noticing signs of your house’s siding changing color. Professionals have the right supplies and expertise to be able to clean thoroughly, getting to the root of the problem.
What is “Soft Washing”?
Soft washing is the process of cleaning that involves low water pressure and a variety of cleaning detergents that gently remove the grime without causing damage. Many sidings on houses are made from vinyl, aluminum, stucco, and even wood that require more careful treatment while being cleaned. Companies, like Cardinal Pressure Washing, will have the right tools for proper soft washing to maintain the siding’s warranty while also leaving it polished and cleaned.
Cardinal Pressure Washing professionals mix their 100% biodegradable detergents, surfactants, and on-site to get the perfect mix for each specific property to tackle the growth and debris on and around your house. A lot of companies will simply spray a strong chemical mixture that will clean the siding; however too strong of a detergent mixture can cause damage to the surrounding landscaping. It’s best to use a company that has the equipment to mix their soap on-site. This eliminates a “splash-and-dash” service, and instead tailors each service to the specific property being serviced.
What Would Pressure Washing Do?
Pressure washing is known for having a powerful jet of water that can remove tough stains and grime with ease. But not everything is able to withstand the strength of the water, causing the surface to get ruined. Pressure washing is most effective on durable materials, like concrete. Many people, though, use it on their house sidings, which are often made from “softer” materials. Though the result might look good initially and seem unproblematic, there are a number of issues that could come up.
If you were to pressure wash your house, it may push water behind the siding of your house, leading to rotting, damaged window seals, and ugly stripes left on the surface. Not only this, but it can actually not even eliminate the source of any organic matter! Though it will remove a lot of the growth, pressure washing is not accompanied with the right detergents that truly clean the area. This means that the organic matter can come back within a few months.
House siding manufacturers will usually recommend soft washing to regularly clean the side of your house. They know best the impact of certain kinds of cleaning products and techniques on their products, so their instructions should be followed. If there is a warranty on their materials, pressure washing can actually cause it to be void, meaning that any replacements due to damage will come out of your own pocket.
So What Do I Do?
It’s best not to attempt to do any kind of exterior house cleaning on your own. You may not have the right cleaning supplies required for the best results or techniques and you will want to have the most thorough washing while protecting the siding. Cardinal Pressure Washing is dedicated to restoring your home to its glory. We know how house materials will react to various types of detergetns, so we will be able to give specialized care to your specific needs. Reach out to us today to get your house back to new!