Does the exterior of your facility need to be cleaned? Read this blog to learn about the various exterior cleaning options available to you.
It’s well-known that pressure washing and power washing are highly effective methods of cleaning your building’s exterior. While the terms pressure washing and power washing are used interchangeably, they are in fact two distinct services. In this article, we will discuss the key differences between pressure washing and power washing and then contrast those with soft washing. We will also discuss the main factors that impact the cost of pressure washing and what to look for when hiring a pressure washing company.
What is the Difference Between Pressure Washing and Power Washing?
Let’s start with what makes them similar. Both pressure washing and power washing spray water under high pressure to remove dirt, mold, algae, dust and other debris from most hard surfaces.
The biggest difference between the two is the temperature element. Power washing heats up the water, whereas pressure washing does not. While this may not seem like a big difference, it is quite important. By heating up the water, power washing is more effective at removing debris that has become embedded in surfaces, such as chewing gum from sidewalks or grease stains in parking garages.
How do Pressure Washing and Power Washing Differ from Soft Washing?
Soft washing is a cleaning method that uses a low-pressure (vs. high-pressure) washing technique with a combination of chemicals and water to clean surfaces. Not all surfaces should be pressure washed, as they will be damaged from higher pressure cleaning. Windows, roof shingles, siding and wood paneling are good examples of surfaces best-suited for soft washing. Pressure washing roofing shingles, for example, can damage their protective grit and doesn’t eliminate the algae’s roots from under shingles.
The pressure from soft washing is actually less intense than the pressure from a standard garden hose, and its cleaning effectiveness comes from a higher concentration of cleaning solution. The solution is comprised of three basic components:
- Bleach – kills algae, mold and other fungal or bacterial growth on the surface
- Water – dilutes the bleach
- Surfactant – helps loosen and remove dust and other debris
Depending on the surface being cleaned, our soft washing experts will determine the exact combination of cleaning solution to use and how long the solution should remain on the surface for.
How Much Does Pressure Washing Cost?
There are a few key factors that determine the cost of your project. The first is the size of your project. Projects are quoted based on surface area, so the larger the surface being cleaned the larger your cost will be.
The second factor is the accessibility of your surface area. A 200,000 square feet power washing job for a 10-story building exterior will be more expensive than the same sized job for a 1-story building given the equipment and time needed for our team to power wash higher floors.
The third and fourth factors are the condition of the surface being cleaned and type of surface being cleaned. The dirtier your surface is, the more time the job will take and therefore the more expensive it will be. Similarly, the more resilient your surface is the faster the job will take. Our Atlanta pressure washing company Atlanta companies trust will visit your facility and provide you a FREE estimate within 24 hours.
What Should You Look For in a Professional Pressure Washing Company?
Given the nuances between pressure washing, power washing and soft washing (not to mention the dangers they pose to your surfaces and you and your team), it’s very important you utilize a professional pressure washing company such as CleanRight to determine the best cleaning method for your building. Our Atlanta pressure washing company Atlanta companies trust knows how to deliver outstanding service for every surface.
When it comes to pressure washing, there are a few key things to look for in a company. Firstly, you want to make sure that the company you choose is experienced with the intricacies of pressure washing, power washing and soft washing. While pressure washing may seem like a simple task, that is not necessarily the case. If the company is not experienced, that inexperience will show up in their work product. Dirt and other residue won’t be fully cleaned or worse your surface may get chipped or damaged from the application of too much water pressure or the wrong chemicals.
Don’t be shy to ask for references and about the company’s experience. Pressure washing a small concrete walkway vs. soft washing a 150,000+ square foot building require very different equipment. Similarly, different surfaces require different washing methods and chemicals.
Oftentimes, companies that serve residential customers lack the equipment, expertise and teams required to clean much larger commercial properties. Our Atlanta pressure washing company Atlanta companies trust knows that we only have one shot to deliver exceptional pressure washing, and we do that every time.
Secondly, they need to be large enough to accommodate your schedule. Sometimes due to inclement weather, we may need to reschedule service. If you need pressure washing completed by a certain date – ahead of an important customer visit, for example – you need a company with multiple crews and machinery with the size and flexibility to accommodate your schedule. Many pressure washing companies book a lot of small jobs several weeks out and may be unable to reshuffle their calendar to fit you in.
Finally, for your peace of mind you want to make sure that the company is properly insured. This way, you can be protected in case of any damages that may occur during the pressure washing process. Insufficient insurance (coverage limits are too low or policies are missing key coverages, such as general liability or worker’s compensation, for example) is a non-starter.
Our Atlanta Pressure Washing Professionals Are On Call
We invite you to contact an experienced Atlanta pressure washing company Atlanta companies trust. You can speak with our pressure washing professionals at 404-267-1312. We offer FREE estimates to all of our prospective customers. No matter how big or small your project is, you can trust the Atlanta pressure washing experts at CleanRight Services. Contact the Atlanta pressure washing experts at CleanRight Services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 404-267-1312 or using our online contact form to request a FREE estimate.
