The Difference Between Pressure Washing Versus Power Washing

Over half of U.S. homes were built before 1980, so to keep these homes looking their best, it’s important that homeowners regularly give the exteriors some attention. Typically, they use a pressure washer or power washer to clean their deck, siding, and walkways. Although people commonly use these terms interchangeably, they’re surprisingly not the same. Let’s look at pressure washing versus power washing.

The Key Difference

Of course, whether you power wash or pressure wash surfaces, you use high-pressure water to remove dirt and debris from specific areas to keep them looking clean. The main difference between the two tasks, however, is the water temperature in the equipment.

A power washer heats up the water, so it’s better for heavy-duty jobs such as working with brick, concrete, or other hard materials. In this case, you should take care with where you use a pressure washer, as it can damage softer surfaces. The hot water can control weeds and quickly loosens up dirt and other materials that simply won’t budge. Ideally, if you own a large commercial space, then you want to opt for a power washer.

On the other hand, you’d likely use a pressure washer at home because it’s less harsh. This is because the pressure washer doesn’t have a heating element, so the water is at a cooler temperature. A pressure washer still has a strong stream, though—it still does a great job at blasting away dirt, but it just might not remove mold, moss, or stains from exterior surfaces. This process is more ideal for surfaces like masonry and wood.

As you can see, there is only one major factor that differentiates pressure washing versus power washing. Truthfully, you can use either method, it just depends on the job. If you see tough residue, however, it’s best to let the professionals take care of it. Consider scheduling our Crystal Lake power washing services—our experts will make your commercial or residential property look new again.