Soft Wash vs. Pressure Wash: Which Is Right for Your Tampa Bay Home?

The wrong method on the wrong surface damages your home. Here's which to use where.

Pressure washing and soft washing are not the same thing. Using the wrong one on the wrong surface is how people end up with damaged vinyl siding, stripped paint, blown-off shingles and cracked roof tiles. Here's when to use each.

Pressure washing

High pressure (1,500–3,000 PSI) plus water. The force of the water does the cleaning. Good for:

• Concrete driveways
• Concrete pool decks (carefully)
• Sidewalks and walkways
• Concrete block walls
• Parking lots

Bad for:

• Any roof (shingle, tile, metal)
• Vinyl or wood siding
• Stucco
• Window screens
• Painted surfaces
• Pavers (too much pressure blows out joint sand)

Soft washing

Low pressure (under 500 PSI — often garden-hose pressure) plus professional biodegradable cleaning agents. The chemistry does the cleaning, not the water. Good for:

• Roofs (shingle, tile, metal)
• All siding types (vinyl, Hardie, wood, stucco)
• Screen enclosures
• Painted surfaces
• Pavers (rinse only, after a detergent soak)
• Pool cages

Bad for:

• Nothing, really — soft washing is safe for every residential surface

What Krystal Klean uses where

• Your roof: Soft wash. Always. Pressure washing shingles voids your manufacturer warranty.
• Your siding: Soft wash.
• Your driveway: Pressure washing with a surface cleaner.
• Your pool deck: Pressure washing if concrete; soft rinse if pavers.
• Your pavers: Soft wash with detergent, then rinse.

How do I know my contractor is using the right method?

Ask. If you get a blank stare, find another contractor. Any legit company knows the answer cold.

Questions? 727-579-7825.