Power Washing vs Pressure Washing: Which Method Is More Effective?

The exterior of your home is often the first thing to show dirt, grime, and neglect. Power washing can be an effective way for removing this buildup on contact; however, it’s important that you follow power-washing with another method such as pressure cleaning if possible because not all materials are forgiving when exposed directly to soakers without protection (ex: brick). We’ll explore both methods below!

Power Washing:

In a power washing situation, the homeowner or professional cleaner will use a pressure washer. Most models have a gasoline-powered motor and pump. The pump is attached to a high-pressure hose that has a nozzle on it. There are two different types of nozzles: one with holes all around it for blasting dirt off surfaces, and another that can be adjusted from 0 degrees to 40 degrees in order to focus the stream into a specific area. Cleaners can adjust the spray radius depending on what they’re cleaning.

For power washing to be effective, the pressure must be very high (often in excess of 2,000 psi). This will allow for deeper penetration into the pores of various surfaces like wood, concrete, and stone. The stream of water can blast dirt right off any surface; including paint stains on siding and grime on more porous materials like stucco. Although power washing is great at removing stubborn dirt and debris from exterior surfaces, it will typically strip away some of the protective coatings that are applied by manufacturers. So while you may get your home cleaner than ever before following an intense power wash, it may be more important than ever to add a new protective coating soon.

Although power washing is a very effective method for deep cleaning exterior surfaces, it may not always be the safest way to go about things. The high-pressure stream can cause damage to siding in some instances, and the chemicals used in the solution need to be respected as they’re extremely dangerous if ingested or allowed in contact with the skin for too long.

Power Washing Pros: Very powerful, able to blast out stubborn dirt and grime from any surface can remove paint stains on wood and most other types of exterior surfaces Cons: Strip away protective coatings such as stain and sealant Will typically put gouges into siding over time due to pressure Distracting odor that is often associated with pressure washing machines can be very dangerous if used improperly.

Pressure Washing:

Pressure washing is similar to power washing in the sense that a pressurized stream of water is blasted onto surfaces. But rather than using a gasoline-powered machine and connecting it to your garden hose, you’ll instead use an electric model. These are easy to start up, they’re safe when stored inside your house or garage, and they typically have less power so the stream won’t be as intense. However, because of this lower intensity level, you’ll need more time when cleaning large exterior areas.

Although pressure washers are safe for most exterior surfaces, they’ll typically not be as powerful as a power washing machine with high psi. Because of this, you may need to blast through dirt and grime more than once to completely clean the surface; therefore wasting time and water in the process.

Pressure Washing Pros: Safe to use on nearly every exterior type including wood, stucco, brick, and concrete Less expensive than power washing machines Can start up quickly with little effort Portable Cons: Not as fast as power washing Will typically take longer when cleaning large areas due to lower level of intensity Lower intensity means cleaner must repeat blasts on stubborn stains

If you’re looking for a quick, effective way to clean exterior surfaces, then power washing may be the method you’re looking for. It’s quick, it’s powerful and while it will strip away protective coatings in the process of deep-cleaning exterior surfaces, some homeowners prefer this because they immediately apply a new protective coating after cleaning. If you’re not planning on applying any type of stain or sealant soon after cleaning your home, then pressure washing may be a great option for you as well.