If you live in Bryson City, NC, power washing should be part of your regular annual—if not biannual—property maintenance. Whether you own your home or are just renting, keeping your property clean not only looks better, but it also helps to protect your loved ones living there as well. But can anything be pressure washed?

If you’re questioning whether pressure washing is bad for concrete, you’re not alone. A lot of property owners are curious about this topic, especially since power washing can seem like a relatively simple task. However, there are a few things to consider before pressure washing your concrete surface. In this article, we’ll discuss what pressure washing is, the difference between pressure washing and power washing, and if pressure washing is bad for concrete. We’ll also provide some reasons why you should leave pressure washing to the professionals!

What Is Power Washing?

Power washing is a method of cleaning involving a pressure washer, a high-pressure nozzle reaching up to 4,000 PSI, and water at a temperature between 140°F-311°F. Power washing is considered the most aggressive form of pressure washing and is fantastic for making short work of tough outdoor cleaning projects like removing moss and algae from a driveway.

What’s the Difference Between Power Washing and Pressure Washing?

Power washing and pressure washing are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably, though they do not technically refer to the same method of cleaning. While both pressure washing and power washing require the use of a pressure washer, power washing refers to a method of pressure washing in which the water is heated upwards of 140°F. This step makes the process all the more efficient at removing stubborn grime or natural growth like mildew or mold, but is not considered ideal for certain types of materials, like softer wooden decks or vinyl siding.

Is Pressure Washing Bad for Concrete?

If you’re wondering if pressure washing can damage your concrete patio or driveway, the short answer is yes—if done incorrectly, pressure washing can be bad for concrete. However, this also depends on the type of concrete as well as its level of exposure and age.

However, it is more than possible to pressure wash your concrete without causing damage to your walls, walkway, or driveway. In fact, professional pressure washers do it all the time! With the option to soft wash, which uses a much lower PSI and lower temperature water, professional pressure washers are even able to clean your wood deck or furniture or vinyl siding.

How Long Should I Wait to Pressure Wash My New Concrete Driveway?

If you’ve only just laid concrete floors for your garage, patio, or driveway, it’s important to note that you should not power wash them right away. In fact, concrete can take up to one year to fully cure to the point that it can take pressure or power washing without incurring damage. If you are a renter or you have just moved into an existing home and you aren’t sure how long the concrete has been there, it’s always safest to start pressure washing at a lower PSI and gradually work your way up.

Can I Damage My Property Pressure Washing?

If done incorrectly, yes, you can damage your property pressure washing. For example, by using an incorrect nozzle tip to clean your siding, you may end up inadvertently cracking the vinyl or chipping away some paint. However, if you’re worried about potentially damaging your house or property in your efforts to clean it, you can opt for gentler pressure washing practices, like soft washing. Soft washing is a type of pressure washing that uses lower temperature water at a lower PSI than pressure washing or power washing—typically 500 PSI or even less.

Reasons Why You Should Leave Pressure Washing Your Concrete to the Professionals

Many people mistakenly think pressure washing the exterior of their house is an optional maintenance step, but this is not true; in fact, pressure washing can not only improve the overall appearance of your house, but also make it a safer place to live and prevent damage in the long term. When it comes to pressure washing yourself, there are many factors to keep in mind like the type of the material you are pressure washing, how dirty it is, and what kinds of surfactants or detergents you are able to use. There are several key reasons why you should leave pressure washing to the professionals rather than trying to do it yourself, including:

1. Preventing undue property damage: Because pressure washing involves highly pressurized water streams, it is possible to damage your property if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you have any doubts about how to best wash the exterior of your house, it’s best to seek professional pressure washing companies like WNC Wash Pro’s to get the job done right on your behalf.
2. Prevention of injury: Because of the high pressure of the water and the presence of a motor, there is a possibility that you might injure yourself while attempting to pressure wash your home. Lacerations, bruises, and burns have been known to occur by folks determined to make a DIY project out of something that is often better left to the pros.
3. Access to a wide array of bleach products and detergents, and knowledge of how to mix them: A professional pressure washer will not only know what ratio of water to bleach to use, they will also know what percentage of bleach they are using as well as which detergent is right for the job. A professional pressure washer will also include surfactants for better deep-cleaning, which may allow them to use a lower pressure for a gentler overall clean.
4. Saving time: Who has the time to pressure wash their house, anyway? If it’s not a task you already enjoy doing, making time for pressure washing your house can be a huge chore and can easily take up the better part of one of your precious days off. For this reason alone, plenty of homeowners choose to call in the pros to get the job done, and fast!
5. Quality of the deep clean: A professional pressure washer is going to deliver you a thorough clean because their primary focus is on the task at hand. If you’re rushing through your pressure washing job because you wanted to save money by doing it yourself, you may end up with a streaky, patchy end result that takes twice the amount of time and energy to fix. If you want a quality clean the first go around, calling a team of professionals is your best bet!

Bryson City, NC Power Washing

Now that you know what power washing is, you can begin to analyze which areas of your property may be viable candidates for this extremely efficient method of cleaning. Concrete walkways, walls, and driveways are all excellent examples of property that might be benefitted from a good power wash. And, if power washing isn’t really your thing, you can always opt for a gentler soft wash on softer surfaces that may be susceptible to damage, like wood.

At the end of the day, if you have any doubts about which form of pressure washing is best for your home or business, it’s always better to leave it up to the professionals. This prevents unnecessary property damage, accidental injury, and saves you time and energy.

Are you looking for Bryson City, NC power washing experts to come and clean your property? Contact WNC Wash Pro’s today for a consultation, or check out our gallery of before and after photos!