Cleaning your home’s exterior is a necessary part of home ownership. This process is exceptionally important if you’re planning on painting the outside of your home with a vibrant new color. Whether you’re planning a new paint job or just looking to remove the years of built up dirt and decay, there are a few things to know about exterior washing. While it seems like a simple task, it’s easier said than done, and better left to the experts. Here’s everything you should know about cleaning your home with pressure washing, power washing or soft washing.

What’s the difference?

  • Power Washing uses high pressure with hot water. This helps sanitize surfaces and breaks down organic materials such as dirt. It’s not recommended for material such as wood. It should be strictly used on driveways, rough concrete, etc.
  • Pressure Washing is still a high pressure but it can use any temperature of the water. It can be used on surfaces like patio furniture, stone pathways, decks, and more.
    • Note: Both of these can be very dangerous and can cause injuries when used incorrectly.
  • Soft Washing is a lot gentler than the two listed above. The tip is more widespread so it doesn’t have as high a pressure. It can be used on a lot more materials such as vinyl siding, wood panel siding, screens, enclosures, stucco, and more.
“Cleaning your home’s exterior is a necessary part of home ownership.”

Should I pressure wash my home?

“It can give the house a new lease on life, revealing how bright the original colors actually are.”
  • Pros
    • Keeps the area healthy and devoid of anything that’s growing on the house such as mold, mildew, dirt, and more.
    • It can give the house a new lease on life, revealing how bright the original colors actually are.
    • The entire property can be restored to its original glory with a good pressure wash.
    • It only needs to be done every couple of years to brighten up the exterior of the house.
  • Cons
    • If the wrong nozzle is used damage could occur. Wood could get etched, bricks can erode, mortar can be forced out of their joints loosening up any brick or stone.
    • Water can get caught in existing holes and causing water damage.
    • Power washing can loosen up old paint, leaving unsightly patches.
“Power washing can loosen up old paint, leaving unsightly patches.”

Make sure you hire a professional to get any pressure washing done correctly. North Atlantic Painting are the professionals you need to make sure your home is prepped for that new coat of paint or to liven up your existing paint job.