Maintaining your home’s exterior is as important as maintaining its interior, which is why one should clean and retain its appearance while protecting it from damage over time. When it comes to cleaning, two popular methods that can be taken into consideration are power washing and pressure washing.
While both these methods have high water pressure for washing out dirt and debris, there are significant factors that differ from one another, which we have explored in the blog below.
Understanding these differentiating elements is necessary to choose the right approach to keep your home or business looking its best and protected from any damage. But before we venture out on the differences, it is essential that we understand power washing and pressure washing individually.
What is Power Washing?
A power washer uses a high-pressure stream that consists of hot water to blast away dirt and other unwanted materials from outdoor surfaces. This combination of high pressure accompanied by the temperature of the water makes removing the dirt easier and smoother. It is great for removing salt, mildew, and mold from outdoor patios, decks, driveways, and more, a few of which have been stated below.
Key Uses of Power Washing:
- Concrete Surfaces: It is great for cleaning driveways, sidewalks, and patios that have accumulated stubborn stains or mildew.
- Heavy Duty Cleaning Tasks: This method is ideal for cleaning large areas with extensive grime or algae buildup, such as brick walls or stone surfaces.
- Preparing surfaces for painting: Power washing can effectively clear out old paint, paving the way for a clean and smooth surface that gives your walls a new coat of paint.
What is Pressure washing?
Pressure washing also utilizes a high-pressure stream of water but does not rely on hot water to clean the dirt and debris. The power that lies behind the spray is enough to clean up most surfaces including stubborn dirt which is difficult to take out. These are generally used at homes in regular-temperature waters as they are gentler in comparison to power washing and are suitable for a myriad number of tasks, a few of which are listed below.
Key Uses of Pressure Washing
- Wooden Surfaces: They are ideal for cleaning decks, fences, and other wooden structures where high heat could cause significant damage.
- Siding and Windows: You can use these on your Vinyl Sidings and window frames, as they are safe and can be used on delicate surfaces to wash out accumulated dirt.
- Routine Maintenance: Walkways, patios, and driveways are all pressure washing positive, which means that you can execute regular cleaning of these areas using pressure washing. You can also read our guide on pressure washer hose repair.
Key Differences Between Power Washing, Pressure Washing, and Soft Washing
| Feature | Power Washing | Pressure Washing | Soft Washing |
| Water Temperature | It uses heated water to break down tough dirt, grime, and mold | It uses cold water, which is effective for lighter cleaning tasks | Utilizes low-pressure water with cleaning agents for delicate surfaces |
| Surface Compatibility | Best for hard, durable surfaces like concrete, stone, and brick | Suitable for softer surfaces like wood and vinyl | Ideal for surfaces sensitive to high pressure, like roofs, painted surfaces, and outdoor furniture |
Pros and Cons of Pressure Washing
Pros
- Pressure washers are generally less expensive than power washers to buy, rent, or hire professionals. This is mainly due to its non-heating ability, which makes it ideal for household applications, unlike power washing.
- Pressure washers are far more versatile to use and flexible than power washers. Due to its ability to use cold water with a range of different settings, it can be used for various jobs or on more gentler surfaces.
- A pressure washer requires far less water to complete its job than a power washer. This is mainly because of the high pressure with which the water blasts out, which makes cleaning easier and faster. Additionally, you can read our guide on how to extend the life span of your pressure washing hose.
Cons
- They aren’t as effective as power washers as they struggle to clean out stubborn layers such as moss or oil, which power washers can easily clean.
- While you can avoid the risk of causing heat damage by using a pressure washer, it can still cause damage to some surfaces due to high pressure.
Pros and Cons of Power Washing
Pros
- A power washer uses hot water, which makes it far better at removing tough layers of dirt, mold, and mildew. This is because hot water works better at breaking up the grease or mold particles and washing them away effectively.
- Power washers push out more water than their counterpart and can easily cover a larger surface area. This makes it great for larger areas like driveways and also for commercial jobs.
Cons
- A power washer is far less versatile than a pressure washer. Completing smaller residential jobs with power washers is often seen as an overkill and time-consuming process that might result in more harm than good.
- The heat of the power washer can cause damage to gentler materials, which is why power washers should only be used on rough surfaces like cement or concrete.
- Irrespective of whether you are buying or renting a power washer, they are likely to be more expensive than a pressure washer. This is mainly due to its additional heating requirement.
Pressure Washing vs. Power Washing: Decoding the Costs
Power washing typically costs more than pressure washing due to its heating element and the complexity of the equipment. Whereas, pressure washing is generally less expensive and much more accessible for DIY projects. A pressure washer is cheap and can cost between $100 to $750, but power washing costs from $250 to $400 on average. These costs may differ according to your geographical location and the market demand of the product in your area.
For top-quality pressure washer hoses that fit in your budget, purchase the BluShield pressure washer hose from us and enjoy effective cleaning. You can also call professionals like us to install these washers for you to avoid any risks of ineptness in working. Here you can choose the perfect pressure washer for your needs.
In case you do not have the budget to buy a hose or you need one for a temporary basis, rent a pressure or power washer. While their costs will vary depending on your location, power washers are costlier to rent than pressure washers. Their range can particularly go up to $100 to $200 for gas-powered power washers, around $75 to $160 for pressure washers, and $55 to $75 to rent pressure washers.
Environmental Impact of Pressure & Power Washing
Both power washing and pressure washing have environmental implications, which make them a unique choice for your cleaning needs.
- Water Usage: Both methods are incredible for saving a significant amount of water. However, power washing may use slightly more due to the addition of heat in its properties.
- Chemical Runoff: Soft washing and pressure washing often uses detergents and cleaning agents which can run off into the environment. Hence it is essential to use biodegradable and eco-friendly cleaning products that do not interfere with nature and cause harm to it.
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Energy Consumption: Power washing uses more energy due to its heating properties, which could contribute to a larger carbon footprint on the planet. Thus, one should be careful while choosing the right equipment for their cleaning needs.
DIY vs Professional Services
While DIY-ing may be tempting for homeowners, hiring professional services may often be safer and more effective.
When to DIY
- When cleaning small surfaces that aren't heavily stained.
- Do-It-Yourselves may use high-pressure equipment, which requires experience, or they could take on routine maintenance tasks, like cleaning the driveway or patio regularly.
When to Hire Professionals:
- When cleaning large, heavily stained, or difficult-to-reach surfaces.
- When dealing with delicate surfaces that require professional handling.
- If the job requires specific knowledge or chemicals for its completion.
Tips for Avoiding Damage during DIY:
- Always start with a lower pressure setting and increase gradually as necessary.
- Keep the nozzle at least one foot from any surface being cleaned to avoid damage to it.
- Use appropriate cleaning agents according to what surface needs cleaning.
Conclusion
Choosing between power washing and pressure washing can be confusing. But once you have figured out your choices and preferences by reading the blog it will get easier to compartmentalize your thoughts and purchase a hose that fits into all your requirements.
If you need to remove tough stains or clean hard surfaces, power washing is often the superior solution. For lighter tasks involving more delicate surfaces, such as floors and countertops, pressure washing might be better suited.
Consider the type of surface, the extent of cleaning required, and your budget when making a decision. At The Blue Hose, our carefully curated products are designed to give you the satisfaction in cleaning that you are looking for. Visit our website and purchase the best products today.
FAQs
What’s the main difference between power washing and pressure washing?
The main difference is that power washing uses hot water, while pressure washing does not.
Which surfaces are best suited for power washing?
Hard surfaces like concrete, brick, and stone are best suited for power washing.
Is pressure washing safe for all surfaces?
Pressure washing is generally safe for most surfaces, but it may not clean hard concrete surfaces with stubborn dirt effectively.
Which method is more effective for removing mold and mildew?
Power washing is more effective for removing mold and mildew due to the heat.
Does power washing use hot water?
Yes, power washing uses hot water to help break down grime and kill bacteria.
Can power washing damage concrete surfaces?
Generally, no, but high pressure or improper technique can potentially cause damage.
How much does it cost to hire a professional for power washing vs. pressure washing?
Power washing typically costs more due to the additional equipment and expertise required.
Which method is more eco-friendly?
Pressure washing is generally more eco-friendly since it does not require heated water, which reduces energy consumption.
Should I hire a professional or do it myself?
Hire a professional for large, delicate, or heavily stained surfaces since DIY suits smaller, routine cleaning tasks.
To talk to us about any further questions or doubts regarding pressure washers and power washers, you can call on+1.952.324.0802 or mail us at wecare@thebluehose.com
