What Is the Difference Between a Power Washer and a Pressure Washer?

If you’re planning on hiring professionals to clean your home or business, you might wonder: what is the difference between a power washer and a pressure washer? There are a few key differences, and they’re important. 

To keep things as simple as possible, the main difference between a pressure washer and a power washer is that pressure washers rely on cool or warm water at very high pressures to clean, while power washers rely on steaming hot water as well as high pressure for cleaning.

What Is a Pressure Washer Used for?

A pressure washer is used for cleaning dirt, stains, and tough debris from siding, driveways, concrete, patios, fencing, decks, and more. It’s also an effective tool for washing out your grill, cleaning lawn furniture, and clearing your gutters. It’s a versatile tool you can rely on for many household cleaning tasks.

A pressure washer is a versatile tool that cleans better than most other methods. If you’re wondering what are the benefits of pressure washing your driveway, doing so allows you to fully clean the surface without damaging it. A high-powered pressure washer can clean a driveway in around 30 minutes and leave it looking like new again. Regularly cleaning and sealing your driveway is all that’s required to keep it looking and functioning well.

Unusual Uses for a Pressure Washer

It’s difficult to answer the question “what is a pressure washer used for?” because it has so many uses. The obvious answer is to wash siding, decking, concrete, patios, and other surfaces, but that’s just the beginning. There are many pressure-washing secrets you should learn if you’re going to own one of these versatile machines. 

A pressure washer can scale a fish in mere seconds. The right pressure washer makes cleaning out gutters an effortless process and enables you to stress test your roofing to see where any weak spots are. You can use it to remove paint, and you can even use a pressure washer to break off dead limbs from trees on your property. With a good pressure washer, you have enough cleaning power to tackle most tasks effectively.

What Is the Difference Between a Power Washer and a Pressure Washer?

If you want to know what the difference is between a power washer and a pressure washer, the main difference is a power washer has a built-in heater to get water to near-boiling temperatures, and a pressure washer does not. Most power washers rely on pure water, while a pressure washer can be used with a cleaning agent to break down grease. Both work well for cleaning most contaminants, but a power washer is best for grease, and a pressure washer is preferred for gentler surfaces. 

Power washing prices are typically higher than pressure washing costs. You should expect to spend $0.75 to $1.50 per square foot for a power washing service and $0.20 to $1.00 per square foot for a pressure washing service.

Power Washer vs. Pressure Washer for Cars

High-pressure water can be effective for cleaning cars, but only when used with care. Too much pressure will damage the finish of your vehicle and drive water into parts of the car that shouldn’t be wet. It’s almost important to consider whether you should use a pressure washer or a power washer. A power washer is generally too hot for a vehicle and can do damage to some of sensitive materials. A low-powered pressure washer or a unit with a very wide tip installed is best for cleaning your car safely. 

Both power washers and pressure washers work well for cleaning a range of surfaces. Maintaining a home or a business is easier with one of these powerful tools and the skills to operate it properly. If you don’t have the right equipment or you aren’t sure how to use it, it’s best to hire professionals to do the cleaning for you. You’ll save time and protect your property by working with pros.

How S&K Pressure Washing Services Stand Out

Amateur pressure washers don’t have enough experience to know how to operate the equipment safely and effectively. S&K Pressure Washing Services employs seasoned technicians with years of experience cleaning most surfaces. We show up with top-tier equipment and the experience to operate it well, so you get a clean you can rely on. Contact us today to get learn more. 

Power Washing and Pressure Washing FAQs

How do you use a pressure washer with detergent?

To pressure wash with detergent, you attach a detergent dispenser to the inlet on your pressure washer. The special connection infuses the water with a slight amount of detergent as it cleans. When you’re finished using detergent and ready to rinse, you remove the attachment and operate the pressure washer like normal.

Which is better, power washing or pressure washing?

Both power washing and pressure washing work well for specific cleaning tasks. Power washing is optimal for greasy surfaces and hard masonry cleaning. Pressure washing is best for delicate surfaces.

Are power washing and pressure washing the same thing?

No, power washing and pressure washing are different cleaning activities. Both utilize high-pressure water to clean, but power washers have a heater to raise the water to near-boiling temperatures before it’s sprayed out. Pressure washers use warm or cool water to clean with.