Power washing and pressure cleaning are often mistaken as the same type of cleaning method. While they are very similar, there are also some differences between the two. Understanding these differences will help you determine which type of washing method is best suited for your home or commercial space.
Power Washing versus Pressure Washing
Power Washing
The biggest difference between the two types of cleaning methods is that power washing uses pressurised hot water to clean large surfaces. The average power cleaning machine heats the water to temperatures as high as 311C.
Because power washers use heated water, they are great for removing mud, mould, mildew, grime, greasy stains, and other debris from large interior and exterior surfaces. Power cleaners work best on the deepest stains and dirtiest surfaces because hot water is better for breaking down stubborn dirt. They are best used for hard, tough surfaces where the material will not break or get damaged from the powerful heated water.
One of the benefits of using a power washer is that hot water is better for breaking down germs, bacteria, and other contaminants, giving your area a more sanitized clean.
Pressure Washing
Rather than using heat to clean surfaces, a pressure washer blasts dirt and debris away with force. They spray cooler water at a higher velocity than a power cleaner and are 100 times more powerful than a standard garden hose.
Pressure cleaners are designed to effectively wash dirt and grime off large surfaces and hard-to-reach areas. They are best used for cleaning sidewalks, walkways, stairs, patios, building facades, driveways, vehicles, and commercial spaces like parking garages, stadium surfaces, and open-air public plazas and theatres.
Because pressure washing uses cooler water, pressure cleaners are not as effective at killing contaminates as power washers are.
How Are Power Washing and Pressure Washing Similar?
Cleaning large exterior surfaces can be done with a pressure washing machine or power cleaner. Both methods are very similar and often get mistaken as the same type of cleaning style because they both require powerful spray cleaning machines to do the job. Both types of cleaning supplies also come with your choice of an electric or gas motor.
Nonetheless, power and pressure washing can be dangerous procedures. This is because they use either scalding-hot water or very high pressure. Rather than risk injury to yourself or others, it is safer to hire a pressure or power washing contractor to avoid the risk of injury.
Power and pressure cleaners spray water at high rates of velocity to remove dirt and stains. Still, understanding the differences between power cleaning vs pressure cleaning will help determine which method is best for your area.