I still have to laugh a little when I hear a contractor bragging about his machine’s pressure. It usually goes something like this: “My pressure washer is rated at 3,500 psi.” I think to myself, that’s great if you want to take the siding off along with the mildew. I’m joking, but only a little.
I’ve owned Power Play since 2002. That’s over 24 years of cleaning homes, and I’m still out in the field. Between me and Rick, our top two techs, there’s more than 45 years of combined experience, and with over 400 five-star reviews across Lebanon, Lancaster, Dauphin and Berks counties, we’ve learned that pressure is only one piece of a safe, professional clean. Here’s how we decide when to soft wash, when high pressure is the right call, and which surfaces get which.
Soft Wash vs. High Pressure: What’s the Difference?
Soft washing is a low pressure, high flow process. We run around 500 psi, about what a strong garden hose feels like, compared to the roughly 3,500 psi of high pressure. The cleaning solution does the real work, not the force of the water. It kills mold, mildew and algae down to the root, so the surface stays clean longer instead of just looking clean for a few weeks.
High pressure washing uses the force of the water to physically strip dirt, grime and buildup off hard surfaces. It’s the right tool on some surfaces and the wrong one on others.
Why More Pressure Isn’t Better
Blasting a house at full pressure can warp or crack vinyl, force water behind siding and into wall cavities, etch and splinter wood, strip paint, chew up mortar joints and damage window seals. I’ve heard plenty of stories of competitors removing siding, blowing pressure tips right through it and tearing up the wood on customers’ decks. High pressure also tends to knock off the surface growth without killing what’s underneath, so it grows back faster.
Flow Matters More Than PSI
If you want to compare equipment from one contractor to another, GPM (gallons per minute) tells you more than psi (pounds per square inch). Higher flow lets us apply solution evenly and rinse thoroughly and quickly. We don’t want any soap drying on your home, your windows or your landscaping.
Which Surfaces Get Which
Siding (vinyl, aluminum, painted wood, stucco). Soft wash. Our solutions do the cleaning, and a low pressure rinse carries it away. See our House Pressure Washing page.
Roofs. Soft wash only, never high pressure. Those black streaks are an algae called Gloeocapsa magma, and pressure can tear up shingles and void warranties. More on our Roof Cleaning page.
Wood decks and fences. Gentle, solution-based cleaning with careful, low pressure rinsing so we don’t raise the grain or splinter the boards. See Wood Deck & Fence Restoration.
Composite decks and vinyl fencing. Low pressure and the right cleaners. See Composite Deck & Vinyl Cleaning.
Concrete, pavers and stone. This is where higher pressure has its place. Concrete is a durable surface, and our surface cleaners spin quickly, so the water never sits on one spot for long, which gives an even clean without striping or etching. Pavers are concrete too, so they get the same treatment. See Pavement, Stone & Concrete Cleaning & Sealing.
Commercial buildings. Same rule: we match the method to each surface on the building. See Commercial Building Washing & Sealing.
Products and Surface Safety
Our products are biodegradable and plant-safe when used with our process. We let the solution dwell long enough to do its job, adjust the mix for each surface, and rinse thoroughly so nothing is left behind on your siding, landscaping or windows.
The Right Gear
We bring top-of-the-line equipment, ready for any situation, carried on board our trucks: a professional power washer, dedicated pumps, a window cleaning system, soft wash equipment and more. Having the right equipment, and knowing how and when to use it, is what makes a safe clean possible.
Honest Expectations
Soft washing removes organic growth like mold, mildew and algae, and most dirt. Some stains, such as oxidation or artillery fungus spots, aren’t organic growth and won’t come off with a house wash. Rust removal isn’t included in a typical house wash, but it’s available if wanted and priced separately. We don’t remove artillery fungus spots, because the high pressure it would take isn’t safe for your home. We’ll tell you up front what to expect before we start.
Hire once, get the right clean for every surface, and pay a fair price. Call Nate at 717-314-2360 for a free quote.
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