Power Washing vs Pressure Washing: What Suits Your Purpose?

Does your driveway look old and dirty? A driveway that is dingy and grubby really takes away from a home's overall look even if everything else is perfect. It might be well past the time for yours to be cleaned and refreshed, but there's no time like the present to make a change.

Of course, you can hose down your driveway yourself and it will look somewhat better, but there's nothing as effective as professional cleaning. You may have seen your neighbors get their driveway washed by a power washer or a pressure washer. Both of these methods are similar but they are, in fact, different.

If the debate between power washing vs pressure washing is raging in your mind, read on to learn the difference between these two intense, high-powered cleaning methods and to discover which option is best for you.

The Big Difference
The terms power washing and pressure washing are used interchangeably so most people don't realize that there is a difference between them.

Both of them get dirt and grime off of a wide variety of surfaces in a very impressive and effective manner. Both power washing and pressure washing work to clean the exteriors of buildings, walkways, public spaces, vehicles, and very dirty floors.  However, there is one thing that separates them,

Pressure Washing
A pressure cleaner is the name of the machine that is used for pressure washing. There are so many applications for this type of heavy-duty cleaning.

Many people have the exterior of their home or business pressure washed so it will look like new. Wooden decks and boardwalks benefit from pressure washing. Boats and RVs look great after a good round of pressure cleaning, too.

Pressure washing gives people the opportunity to make their property look like new with little cost or effort. Some people choose pressure washing yearly or seasonally, others choose to have it done on a more regular basis. 

Power Washing
Power washing is very similar to pressure washing. In fact, there is only one difference, but that difference is a big one. 

In pressure washing, the water is not heated. In power washing, it is. That's it. That's the only difference. However, this small difference can be a big difference when it comes to cleaning spaces with serious grim, grease, mildew, or salt. 

Hot water cleans better. You know this from washing dishes and floors in your home. You likely take hot showers as well for this very reason. When it comes to cleaning, hot water makes all the difference.

Power Washing vs Pressure Washing
So when it comes to cleaning your home's driveway, you still might not be able to decide which service is better for your situation.

Deciding between power washing vs pressure washing isn't the biggest decision of your life, but if you want your driveway to look its best, go out and take a good look at it. 

If your driveway is covered with dirt or sand and leaves only, you can probably get away with doing a simple pressure wash.

However, if there are gas or oil leaks on your driveway, you'll need something stronger. If you can see any stains or spills, you'll need the heat and power combination. If you live near the ocean or somewhere that the city uses salt for ice removal, you will probably want to choose a heated power wash for best results. 
Buying a Pressure or Power WasherIf power or pressure washing is something you do often, you might be thinking about purchasing a machine of your own.

These machines are affordable, but they are not cheap. If you only need this sort of washing on an occasional basis, you will be much better off hiring a company to do it for you.

Not only do they have the best machines in the business, a pressure or power washing company will be much more effective because they have vast experience in using this machine on a wide variety of surfaces.

If you do choose to buy a power washer or a pressure washer, though, there are a number of things to consider.

Pressure washers come in both gas and electric versions, and which you prefer is likely a matter of personal taste. Electric pressure washers cost less, run quiet and clean, and are fairly lightweight. However, they are often not as powerful as their gas-powered counterparts.

Gas-powered pressure washers are more mobile and are great for larger jobs. Some people don't like them because they are noisy.

Using a Pressure Washer
If you do decide to buy a pressure or power washer of your own, there are some safety tips you should follow during use. You should always read the instructions before you begin and make sure you know how to quickly release pressure in a pinch.

Ear and eye protection are recommended and you will see professional cleaners wearing it consistently. Make sure you stand on a stable service and that you use the correct nozzle and spray setting for the job. Never leave the spray gun unattended while the machine is running. 

Most importantly, don't ever point the spray gun at people, animals, or plants. This is very dangerous and even though it's just water, water at this pressure has the strength to hurt someone more than you might guess. Be careful and be safe at all times when using one of these machines.

A Clean Driveway
Now that you know the difference between power washing vs pressure washing, you can easily determine which of the two services will be best for your driveway. Whether you decide to make a large investment into a machine and do it yourself or if you hire someone to do it, your house will be looking better in no time.

If you are looking to hire someone to pressure wash your driveway in Nashville, then look no further. We not only pressure wash driveways, sideways, decks, and patios, but we also seal driveways and we are one of the best in the business.
If you need any of these services, please give us a call today. We can't wait to serve you.