Is It Better to Pressure Wash or Soft Wash a Deck?

Depending on the age of your deck, you may be desperately in need of a good, solid clean. After years of precipitation and weather wreaking havoc on your home’s exterior, you’re probably ready to spruce it up a bit with a good wash, but you may be wondering which wash is the best fit for you. The fastest way to dissolve years of outdoor grime on your deck may be to pressure wash, but that can cause severe damage if done improperly. A soft wash, which is less harsh than a high-pressure wash and often performs better at dissolving biological grime, might be better suited for your needs.

The biggest difference between pressure washing and soft washing is the power used in generating water pressure. Pressure washing uses solely high-pressure water that runs at a very high pressure, measured as PSI. Depending on the type and strength of pressure washer, the PSI can range from garden hose pressure too strong enough to break your finger if the spray were to cross your hand. Meanwhile, soft washing uses far less pressure, instead relying on cleaning agents to dissolve dirt and simply rinsing it away with a soft garden hose style pressure.

Pressure washing is typically used for driveways or home exteriors, not decks, and for good reason. The high pressure used on your siding can actually blow water up underneath your siding, causing water damage and mold. Pressure washing can be very dangerous and damaging, an ineffective tool that doesn’t properly clean what you need cleaned. Soft washing involves using a foamy cleaning mixture and low-pressure water that gently rinses off any dirt or decay from the home. The cleaning agents dissolve any mold, mildew, algae, dust, dirt, spider webs, and other debris, making it easy for them to be gently washed away in the stream of soft water. With a professional’s skilled touch, you run no risks of damaging your home while keeping your deck in good condition.

Overall, the type of cleaning you need will depend on the material and condition of your deck. A cleaning professional can give you the best guidance on what will be suitable for your deck, so contract with only the best to ensure a quality clean every time!