What Is the Difference Between Pressure Washing and Power Washing?

While both pressure washing and power washing use high-pressure streams of water to scrub tough surfaces, power washing uses hot water, and pressure washing uses warm or cold water. This one key difference means that pressure washing is better for some cleaning applications, while power washing is better for others. 

Consider this key difference when deciding whether to hire a pressure washing service or a power washer to clean your home or business. 

Is Pressure Washing or Power Washing Better?

It’s impossible to say whether pressure washing or power washing is better, because each service is best at specific tasks. To generalize, pressure washing is gentler and better for softer surfaces such as wooden decks, vinyl home exteriors, and asphalt shingle roofing. Power washing is harsh and can be damaging, and is best for the hardest surfaces, like concrete and brick. 

Pressure Washing Is a Better General-Purpose Tool

If you want your home cleaned thoroughly, you’re better off paying for pressure washing than you are at power washing. You can have hard surfaces like concrete, asphalt, and brick cleaned with a pressure washer while also having wooden decks, vinyl siding, asphalt shingles, and more cleaned with a pressure washer. 

Most pressure washing services have a range of service prices based on what you want to be cleaned, and this is because pressure washers can be used to clean so much. Power washers are much more limited in what they can clean. 

Power Washing Is Best for Mold, Grease, and Adhesive

The hot water used while power washing makes it well-suited for killing mold and plant growth in the structures being cleaned. The heat also helps remove more grease and adhesives and leaves you with a cleaner final surface. 

It’s important to avoid having power washing done frequently, even on tough concrete surfaces, because this cleaning technique can strip away the external coating and could force you to invest in concrete repairs and resurfacing. 

Is There a Difference Between a Power Washer and Pressure Washer Estimate?

Whether you’re getting an estimate for power washing or pressure washing services, you’ll have to consider the surface, how dirty it is, and how large it is. Estimates are determined in the same way for both services, but pressure washing is a bit more affordable at $0.20 to $1.00 on average, while power washing costs between $0.75 to $1.50 per square foot. 

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Pressure Washer?

Cleaning using a pressure washer is an effective way to scour away tough stains, mold, and other contaminants fast. Regularly cleaning your home or business using a pressure washer will improve the curb appeal of your structure, while clearing contaminants before they can damage your property. It’s best to hire a pressure-washing professional, though. 

Hiring the best pressure washer company gets you access to the best equipment and helps you avoid injuries to your property and yourself. An experienced high pressure washer understands how to make nozzle and pressure adjustments to avoid doing harm to any surface that’s cleaned. It’s even possible to clean cars when using a pressure washer that’s configured properly. 

It costs more money upfront to pay for a professional to pressure wash your property, but the service will save you money over time. Call a local pressure washing professional to get a quote today. 

Get Pressure Washing Help With S&K Building Services

Pressure washing on your own requires buying or renting costly equipment, and there’s a real risk you’ll damage your property. S&K Building Services provides reliable and professional pressure washing services. Call and ask for an estimate today.