Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing: Which Does Your Siding Need?
When people search for pressure washing in Knoxville, they usually mean "make the outside of my house clean again." The method that gets you there depends on what is being cleaned, and using the wrong one is how siding gets cracked and paint gets stripped.
What pressure washing is
Pressure washing uses a high pressure stream of water to strip dirt and growth off a surface. It is the right tool for hard, durable surfaces: concrete driveways, sidewalks, brick pavers and stone patios. On those, high pressure with a surface cleaner gives an even, bright result.
What soft washing is
Soft washing uses low pressure, about what comes out of a garden hose, combined with a cleaning solution that breaks down mildew, algae and dirt. The solution does the work rather than the force of the water. It is the right method for vinyl siding, painted wood, stucco and roofs.
Which surfaces need which
- Concrete driveways and walkways: pressure washing
- Brick pavers and stone patios: pressure washing at a controlled pressure
- Vinyl siding: soft wash
- Painted wood siding and trim: soft wash
- Decks and fences: low pressure, kept moving to avoid furring the wood
- Old brick with soft mortar: low pressure
Why it matters before painting
If you are washing a house to get it ready for exterior painting, the goal is a clean, sound surface. High pressure on painted wood can raise the grain and drive water deep into it, which then has to dry out before paint can go on. A low pressure wash cleans just as well and keeps the schedule on track.
Not sure what your house needs? Billy can look at it and tell you. Ask for a free estimate.
More from the blog
Why North-Facing Siding Turns Green in West Knoxville
That green film on the shady side of the house is not dirt. It is living, and painting over it only hides it for a season.
How Often Does a House in East Tennessee Need Repainting?
There is no single number, but there are clear signs. Here is what East Tennessee weather does to paint and when to call.
Patching Sheetrock So the Repair Does Not Show Through the Paint
The raised square, the dull halo, the crack that comes back. Here is why sheetrock patches show and how to make them disappear.
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