Pressure Washing vs Soft Washing: What Your Florida Home Needs

Both methods get dirt, mildew and algae off your home, but they work in very different ways. Using the wrong one is one of the most common (and expensive) cleaning mistakes Florida homeowners make.

What is pressure washing?

Pressure washing uses a strong stream of water, usually 2,500 to 4,000 PSI, to blast dirt off a surface. The force does the cleaning. It works best on hard, solid surfaces that can take the punishment:

• Concrete driveways and sidewalks
• Pavers (with a surface cleaner attachment, not a narrow tip)
• Pool decks made of concrete or pavers
• Brick and unpainted masonry walls

What is soft washing?

Soft washing uses low pressure, about the same as a garden hose, combined with a cleaning solution that kills mold, mildew and algae at the root. The solution does the cleaning, then a gentle rinse carries it away. Because the growth is killed rather than just knocked off, results usually last longer.

Soft washing is the right choice for:

• Roofs. Shingle manufacturers warn against high pressure, which strips the protective granules and can void your warranty. Tile roofs can crack.
• Stucco and painted walls. High pressure can chip paint, gouge stucco and push water behind it.
• Screen enclosures and pool cages. Screens tear easily.
• Wood fences and decks. High pressure raises the grain and splinters the wood.
• Vinyl siding and soffits. Water forced under the panels can cause hidden mold.

Quick comparison

• Pressure: pressure washing 2,500 PSI and up; soft washing under 500 PSI.
• How it cleans: force of water vs a cleaning solution.
• Best for: concrete and pavers vs roofs, stucco, screens and siding.
• How long it lasts: surface clean vs growth killed at the root, so usually longer.

Why Florida homes need soft washing more often

Heat and humidity let algae and mildew grow fast. The black streaks on many Florida roofs are a type of algae that feeds on the limestone in shingles. Pressure washing removes the streaks for a few weeks; soft washing kills the algae so the roof stays clean much longer, often a year or more.

Can I do it myself?

Pressure washing a driveway is a reasonable weekend job if you rent a machine with a surface cleaner. Soft washing is harder to do safely: the cleaning solutions must be mixed to the right strength, plants need to be protected and rinsed, and roof work means ladders and slippery surfaces. For roofs and two-story walls, most homeowners are better off hiring a pro.

Questions to ask before you hire

• Which method will you use on each surface?
• How do you protect plants, pets and the pool?
• Are you insured if something gets damaged?
• Will you seal the pavers or driveway afterwards if I want?

Frequently asked questions

How often should I pressure wash my driveway in Florida?

Once or twice a year keeps mildew and stains from setting in. Shaded driveways may need it more often.

Will soft washing kill my plants?

Not when it is done right. A good pro wets plants before and rinses them after, and controls overspray.

Want it done this week? Post your job for free and local pressure washing pros send you bids, or find a pro near you and compare reviews.