I will never forget the day I saw my neighbor wrestling with a power washer he had clearly just rented from the local hardware store.
Connected to the hose on the front of his house, he seemed to have hoses and cords everywhere. As he fussed around with the machine and tried to get the sprayer settings correct, I asked him, “What are you doing?”
His reply:
“I am pressure washing my house and driveway.”
At that moment I asked him the difference between power washing vs pressure washing his driveway.
Stumped, he asked, “Is there is a difference between power washing vs pressure washing?”
What is the difference between Power Washing vs Pressure Washing?
While the two are commonly used synonymously, there is an actual difference between pressure washing and power washing. Though they are similar, here is where the two differ – water temperature and the heating element.
- Pressure Washing: Uses pressurized water to remove dirt, grime, and organic build-up from exterior surfaces like driveways, decks, and hard surfaces, however, the water temperature is normal, it is just highly pressurized. Pressure washers are easy to remember – they only use pressure!
- Power Washing: Uses pressurized water to remove dirt, grime, and organic build-up from exterior surfaces like driveways, decks, and patios. The difference is the water used to power wash a surface is heated, which aids in breaking down grime and dirt. To help you remember, power washers combine pressure and heat for more power!
As you can see, the difference isn’t astronomical, but the temperature of the heated water provided by power washing surfaces does come in handy for surfaces that are composed of grime and/or heavy stains.
So when it really boils down to it, the difference between power washing and pressure washing is just the temperature of the water! That being said, how do you decide which one to move forward with for your next home cleaning project?
Best uses for Power Washing
Just like the hot water you use when you do dishes, the temperature of the water when power washing does aid tremendously, especially when the surfaces are heavily stained or there is thick buildup!
Power washing is great for:
- Grease or heavy oil stains (Like an auto garage surface)
- Public spaces with sticky foods and liquids (Such as a restaurant pad or picnic area)
- Streets and sidewalks
- Stadiums
- Playground surfaces
- Places where paint has been filled
- Curbs that need repainting, to remove old paint
A heavily saturated surface of any kind will typically benefit the most from the added heat element power washing provides.
Best uses for Pressure Washing
While the heated element of power washing might make it suitable for really thick grime and build-up, pressure washing does the job in most scenarios as well. Here are some common uses for pressure washing...
Pressure washing is great for:
- Clearing off your walkway
- Patios and driveways
- Decks or fences
- Most household needs
Pressure washing is going to be more conducive for a homeowner looking to do a small project on their own. Just be sure to always check the surface recommendations before getting to work. In most cases, the best option is to read up on pressure washing (Like you are) before doing it yourself.
The other option is to just contact an exterior home cleaning company. This leads to the all too common question, shouldn’t I just rent a pressure washer?
What about renting a power washer or pressure washer?
From time to time, here at Bright Exterior Cleaning potential clients ask if it is better to rent a pressure or power washer instead of paying for exterior cleaning services.
The answer to that question is pretty straightforward – it depends. Numerous factors can help with this decision and here are a few things to always consider:
- Do you want the deal with the hassle of renting, picking up, dropping off a power washer or pressure washer, AND doing the work yourself?
- Do you know the time needed that it will take to power or pressure wash your project?
- On a scale of 1-5, 5 being the most challenging, what would you rate the complexity of your project?
- Will you need a power or pressure washer to complete your project correctly?
- What PSI does your cleaning project require?
Depending on your project, it might be more beneficial to have a professional exterior cleaning company complete the job. It also never hurt to just get a free estimate.
Here are the costs of renting on your own power washer & pressure washer:
When it comes to renting a power washer or pressure washer, typically the costs vary depending on your location and where you rent your equipment.
The following list shows the most common pricing for renting, with gas power washers costing the most:
- Gas Powered Power Washer (Heated) – $100 to $200
- Pressure Washer (Heavy Duty) $75 to $160
- Pressure Washer (Medium Duty) $55 to $75
Source for rental information here.
As you can see, the heated element a power washer provides is more expensive for renting. If you’re not sure which route to go, it is typically best to get a professional quote before renting.
On the other hand, if you have just a small project, that takes less than 1-2 hours, a simple medium-duty pressure washer might just do the trick!
The final word when it comes to power washing vs. pressure washing:
If you’re currently divided as to which route you should go – power washing or pressure washing – the best thing you can ask yourself is “Will this job need the additional help of heated water?”
For thick buildups of debris, grime, or even paint on a surface, the heated element that power washing adds is very beneficial. However, if the job calls for power washing, in that case, it is best to have it looked at first.
Note: Keep in mind, you may also have to consider whether or not heated water is suitable for a particular surface. In most cases it is, but it is always good to check!
So as we part today, keep in mind that next time your neighbor appears to be hassling with hoses, cords, and a machine on two wheels… he/she may or may not be power washing their house…
You just gotta ask, “Hey, is that water heated?”
Frequently Asked Washing Questions
Is power washing bad for your house?
When you want to clean tough dirt on the side of your home or mold, you might be tempted to power wash or even pressure wash your house. Be careful, what you really want to do is complete a soft wash to prevent damaging your siding.
Siding has pores that may allow water to enter your home if you spray one area for too long and you can also blast holes into vinyl siding if you use too high of a PSI!
Is soft washing better than pressure washing?
When it comes to the sides of your home and siding, soft washing is better than pressure washing. It is not that one is better than the other, it is just that soft washing is meant for siding and pressure washing is meant for wood, concrete, brick, and so on.
Power washing is ideal for grease stains on your deck or walkway for example. Soft washing is ideal for “Softer” surfaces like your roof or home.
Is pressure washing enough to clean my deck?
You should be just fine using a pressure washer for your deck, but keep in mind the heating element power washing adds just means you can get more grime and dirt up. More importantly, making sure you use the right PSI amounts is the most vital component so you do not splinter softer surfaces but still get the deep cleaning you desire.
What about power washing a fence or wood deck?
If you have a vinyl fence or deck, you can power wash or pressure wash your deck and effectively clean your fence. Just be sure to check ahead of time with your product manufacture. However, a common question we get is related to pressure or power washing wood fences and decks. In order to effectively clean a wood surface, you need 2500 (at least) of PSI. However, anything over that can possibly cause damage to the wood. In this case, it’s best to always consult a professional or do more research.
Does a power washer make a huge difference?
In most cases, a pressure washer is just fine when compared to using a power washer. They both offer high pressure settings to get up tough grime and stains on hard surfaces. The water pressure is what typically does most of the work.
However, heating elements do allow you to get up super challenging stains, chewing gum, and other thick grim from things most commercial properties experience.
How much pressure should I use when I power wash or pressure wash?
A lot of times homeowners are tempted to rent pressure washers and power washers to complete a DIY project on their own. However, when dealing with high-pressure water knowing the right PSI is important to prevent any damage.
Most of the time, PSI settings will hoover around 1300-2200 PSI.
Can I use higher pressure on my house siding?
The answer is no. Do not use high pressure on the siding of your home. The PSI (pounds per square inch) are often too strong. Instead, a soft wash that allows a soap and surfactant blend to do the work is best. You are ok to rinse off with unheated water.
If you need any help with your exterior home, be sure to reach out to Bright Exterior Cleaning here! We proudly serve all areas in Northern Virginia including Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties.