Homeowner Guide
Soft Washing vs Pressure Washing
Which one your home needs, explained in plain English by a soft washing company that uses both.
The Short Answer
Soft washing uses low pressure and professional cleaning solutions to treat the mold, mildew and algae that stain a home, then rinses them away. Pressure washing uses a high pressure stream of water to blast dirt off hard surfaces. The green and black film on Houston homes is living growth, and on most of a house, blasting it can do more harm than good while leaving the growth behind.
That is why we soft wash roofs, siding, stucco, painted trim and brick, and save the real pressure for driveways, sidewalks and patios. You should never have to choose between a clean house and a safe one.
Which Surfaces Get Which
| Surface | Method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Roofs | Soft wash | High pressure can strip granules from shingles and push water under them. |
| Vinyl and fiber cement siding | Soft wash | Pressure can crack or warp siding and force water behind it. |
| Stucco | Soft wash | Stucco is porous and can chip or etch under high pressure. |
| Painted trim, soffits and fascia | Soft wash | Pressure can peel paint and damage wood. |
| Brick and stone | Soft wash | Low pressure protects mortar joints while the solution treats the growth. |
| Wood decks and fences | Low pressure, the right tip | Too much pressure tears up the wood grain. |
| Driveways, sidewalks and patios | Pressure wash | Concrete can take more pressure, and that is where it does the most good. |
| Pavers | Cleaned, then sealed | Careful cleaning keeps the joints in place, and sealing helps them stay clean. |
What Affects the Price
Size and number of stories, the surfaces involved, how heavy the growth is, and access all play a part, which is why we price your exact property instead of posting one number. See How We Price, or text a few photos to (832) 851-3363 for a free estimate.
Common Questions
What is soft washing?
Soft washing is a low pressure cleaning method. Instead of blasting a surface with water, it uses professional cleaning solutions that treat the mold, mildew and algae causing the stains, then rinses them away gently.
Is soft washing better than pressure washing?
Neither one is better everywhere. Soft washing is the right choice for roofs, siding, stucco, painted surfaces and brick, because high pressure can damage them. Pressure washing is the right choice for concrete, where it does the most good. A good company uses both and picks the right one for each surface.
Is soft washing safe for my plants and pets?
Protecting your landscaping is part of the job. We take care around plants, grass and pets, and we will walk you through exactly how we protect your property before we start.
How often should a house be soft washed?
It depends on shade, trees, nearby water and which direction each wall faces. In the Houston area, shaded sides of a house tend to grow back faster. When we look at your home, we will tell you honestly what it needs instead of selling you a schedule.
How much does soft washing cost?
Every home is different, so we price each job after we see it. Size, number of stories, the surfaces involved, how heavy the growth is and access all play a part. Estimates are free, and texting a few photos is the fastest way to get one.
Get Your Free Estimate
Text us a few photos for the fastest estimate, or tell us about your property online.