What is Pressure Washing?

Pressure washing and sometimes called power washing is the use of highly pressured water to remove organic stains from surfaces such as concrete, pavers and stone. By pressure washing flat surfaces such as driveway, patios and sidewalks the pressurized water removes mold, dirt, gum, light paint and other outdoor contaminants. The best time and back breaking way to pressure wash your concrete and pavers is by using a professional power washing machine preferably 4 Gpm, 5 Gpm, 8 Gpm or a 10 Gpm. (Caution each pump should be equipped with its required sized buffer tank to keep the machine from overheating on the job) The term "Gpm" stands for Gallons Per Minute, this is the water volume being pumped out per minute. For the homeowner capable of doing the task, a 4 Gpm pressure washer is recommended to get the job done in a timely manner, with less hassle and it is the max waterflow most U.S. homes can run  out of the hose. With this type of machine we have the necessary force to clean a residential home.

Next we want to be ready with the proper cleaning agents to make the job easier as well as last longer. The chemicals we want to look for are sodium hypochlorite (also known as bleach or pool shock), a chlorine stable surfactant and if  needed a rust remover and heavy duty degreaser. The chlorine mixed with the surfactant allows us to deep clean the porous concrete along with a power washer, giving us the best cleaning possible. The rust remover can be used after the initial cleaning to take out rust stains, this should be done after cleaning because the rust stains are not as clear to look at.

​Lastly the degreaser should be used to lift up oil or grease stains caused by parked cars day in and day out. When used with the proper knowledge and care we can clean almost any substrate such as stucco, roof shingle tiles, wood, fences and more outdoor fixtures. The term pressure cleaning and power washing at times is used interchangable depending on what area you are in. For example over in the ohio area it is typically called power washing and in the south florida area is called pressure cleaning. Recently a new form of cleaning has emerged in the industry known as soft washing. Pressure cleaning is the use of normal water temperature to clean. Power washing is the use of hot water to get a surface clean. Lastly soft washing which is ideal for roof cleaning, it is the application of chemical cleaner to safetly kill the bacteria eating away at your roof. This method of cleaning can be used on both asphalt and tile shingle roofs. We do recommend you hire a professional with the proper knowledge to tackle a job such as this to keep your property safe.

For more information or to get your home looking it best please contact us at (561)-305-8154