Power Washing vs Pressure Washing

When you want to clean those hard surfaces on and around your home, you might be tempted to reach for a power washer or pressure washer. But what is the difference between power washing and pressure washing? These terms are often used interchangeably. When you understand the variations between these two methods, you can find the ideal way to keep your surfaces clean around your home.

Power Washing and Pressure Washing Are Similar

In short, these two cleaning services work in a similar manner. They both use highly pressurized water to remove debris, dirt, and other materials from your hard surfaces. However, the type of materials you want to remove will determine whether you need a power washer or a pressure washer. With this information, you can find the right cleaning process to keep your Austin area home looking clean and fresh.

Related: Does Pressure Washing Damage Vinyl Siding

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

The biggest difference between the two is what you need to clean. Power washing uses heat and pressurized water to clean surfaces. While both systems use a high amount of pressurized water, the addition of heat can easily damage the hard surface you are cleaning.

The systems both use a high amount of pressurized water. However, how much pressure will depend on the type of machine you use to clean your hard surfaces. For example, a residential power or pressure washer will not produce as much force and intensity as those industrial machines. If you are looking for the highest pressured machine, you will want to enlist the help of a professional cleaning team in the Westlake area.

The heating element is one key element that differentiates these two machines. While both machines can produce a powerful stream of highly-pressurized water, the power washer is the only one that heats up that water. You might think that it doesn’t make a difference for your home, but it can be a valuable tool when you need to remove tough stains from your hard
surfaces. Now you know some of the differences between these two machines and processes. Let’s take an in-depth look at the pressure washer vs. power washer debate.

What Is a Power Washer?

In many ways, a power washer will operate just like a pressure washer. However, the main difference is the temperature of the water used within the system. With the internalized heating element, the water can reach a high temperature to dissolve grime and grease. Depending on your machine, the temperature of the water can vary. Those professional washers can heat water up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

With the combination of high temperature and pressure, it is better equipped to remove those stuck on materials from your surfaces. Power washing can remove mold, salt, and mildew from driveways, decks, and outdoor patios. You can even use power washing to take off those sticky items, like chewing gum, from the sidewalk. Those grease stains on garage floors and driveways do not stand a chance with a power wash. If you have a large area with grease, then you want to use this option for your stained spaces.

In addition to using a power wash to clean, it effectively controls moss and weeds. With a little blast of hot water, you can effectively clean these areas and keep away the nuisances. Any spot with a heavy buildup of dirt and grime can benefit from using a power washer to clean off these dingy areas.

Now you know what is power washing, you can implement an effective cleaning process for your home. When you need a heavy-duty option for your home cleaning needs, you will want to choose a power washer.

Related: Save Money With Professional House Cleaning

What Is Pressure Washing?

Pressure washing is using a machine that pumps out water at extremely high pressure and blasts the dirt and grime away. Think about when you were younger and placed your thumb over the garden hose. The small stream that wasn’t blocked could water the plants in the back easily. Pressure washing is pretty much the same process.

However, unlike power washing, a pressure washer will only use the force from the water to clean. It does not add heat. Some attachments allow for a cleaner to be fed through and pre-mixed with the water for a better clean.

If you have cleaned up at home, you have more than likely used a pressure washer. Like a power washer, the pressure washer uses an amount of pressurized water. However, the machine will not heat the water. Water at a stable temperature can still do a great job at cleaning your dirty surfaces, but it might not be effective at removing mold, moss, or other stuck- on stains on your concrete or stone surfaces.

So what are pressure washers? Most pressure washers will use pressurized force to project cold water onto any dirty surface. As the water blasts on the surface, it will clean away mud, dust, algae, and other types of substances. Since the pressure washer uses cold water, it is only effective at removing surface grime. For that reason, you might want to use a power washer for all those tough-to-remove jobs.

Many of these pressure washers will come with different nozzle heads. With these heads, the pressure washers allow you to control the amount of water that hits the surface. You can also use these nozzles to pinpoint the blast of water from the machine.

Related: 5 Ways Pressure Washing Can Damage Your Home

Power washing

How much does pressure or power washing cost?

Like most cleaning jobs, pressure washing and power washing are priced by the average square footage you are cleaning. According to Home Advisor, the current rates are between $0.15 and $0.75 per square foot. The average project seems to sit just under three hundred dollars but can range upwards of six hundred.

Some professional cleaning companies will also just charge a flat per-hour rate. The hourly rate can range from $25 to $100 an hour. The job size, the amount of equipment needed, and their own insurance can all factor into this baseline rate.

Power washing is sometimes considered the better option when it is available because the heated water helps to clean better. Pressure washers are much safer for just about any surface.

Choose Your Machine Based on the Job

Now that you know the difference between pressure washing vs. power washing, it is time to choose the right one for your Highland Park home’s needs. If you need a machine for regular household use, then make sure to select pressure washing. This method is less harsh on the surface, and you can use it on brick, concrete, and masonry. For example, you can use pressure washing to spruce up the look of your deck with a quick blast of water.

However, those large jobs, like a commercial space or extra-long driveway, will need the help of a power washer. The heated water will help you quickly tackle those tough jobs as the hot water loosens up any dirt. You do want to be careful on which surface that you use the machine. Concrete and hard surfaces can handle power washing, but hot water can damage those softer surfaces.

No matter what cleaning methods you use, you want to choose a professional to tackle these tasks. Shine Window Care can help with all those needs around your Dallas area home. If you are not trained to use a power washer or pressure washer, you could end up damaging those areas.

When you need to hire a professional?

While you can easily go out and rent a pressure washer for the day, sometimes it’s just better to hire a professional cleaner.

They come with their own insurance.

While you don’t need insurance to use one, it’s often a good idea to have it. Many professionals have some form of insurance to help minimize some of the daily risks.

Insurance offers protection against:

  • Injuries
  • Accidental property damage
  • Damage to equipment

If you choose to rent, you may have to pay for these damages out of pocket. That alone can easily turn an easy job into a five thousand dollar hospital bill.

They have professional training.

While most of the equipment seems easy to use, there are a lot of safe habits that must go along with the high-powered equipment. This training can also help keep them safe while on ladders and working in other potentially hazardous areas.

Tips for Professional Cleaning

If you decide that you want to try cleaning with either of these methods, here are some tips to help you set yourself up for clean success. Also, keep in mind the differences between power washing and pressure cleaning. While both will get the job done, there are some extra safety tips to keep in mind. Or just make like easy and hire Shine Cleaning services to do it for you.

  • Be sure to read any instructions that come with the machine carefully.
  • Familiarize yourself with the washer that you are using. Even if you think you know how to work it, many have minor differences.
  • Inspect the washer for any defects or damage.
  • Use the right nozzle for the right job.
  • Wear comfortable clothes that cover your body, and don’t skip out on the shoes (steel toe is the best).
  • Be prepared to get wet and dirty.
  • Wear safety glasses to keep any sprayed debris out of your eyes.
  • While your hands should be holding the sprayer at all times, protective gloves can protect against accidents.
  • Practice is a safe and less conspicuous area to get a feel for the washer.
  • Make sure to protect any electrical equipment and cover exterior outlets.
  • Windows can easily break under pressure. Use caution.
  • Always start with the lowest pressure that your machine has.
  • A pressure washer should never be used on shingles.

Related: The Best Tempartures to Clean Windows With

Want your outdoor spaces to shine? From window cleaning or pressure washing, let Shine Window Care take care of the job in the Austin area!

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