What is Soft Washing?
Softwashing is the gentle and effective method for cleaning many surfaces without subjecting them to high-pressure water or abrasive techniques. In general, you should avoid cleaning concrete with high pressure for a year or more after installation. Softwashing as an alternative has several benefits, especially on delicate flat surfaces. For some surfaces, like shingle roofs, soft washing is the only appropriate way to clean them.
Listed below are the advantages of using low-pressure softwashing techniques:
Preserves Surface Integrity
Softwashing utilizes low-pressure water combined with specialized cleaning solutions to break down and remove dirt, stains, oils/ grease, algae, mold, and mildew from the concrete surface. This gentle approach minimizes the risk of surface damage, such as etching or erosion, which can occur with high-pressure washing. It also leaves a brighter surface when compared to just pressure washing alone.
Minimizes Erosion and Cracking
High-pressure washing can force water deep into the concrete, causing erosion and cracking over time. Softwashing avoids this risk by using lower water pressure, reducing the chance of structural damage. It can be equated to a “no scrub” stove cleaner. Just spray and rinse! This is especially true when talking about pavers. Castle Wash LLC does not re-sand or seal pavers as a service at this time. In fact, most times I’m cleaning pavers, they aren’t in need of such service anyways. Therefore, it is paramount to me and my customers to leave it that way and softwashing is the only way to achieve this. The cleaning solution will penetrate into and between the pavers and lift dirt and destroy algae at its roots. Then using a flood of low-pressure waster, it will all be washed away, leaving the pavers and sand in place. One wrong move with a pressure washer and you’ll hydro-excavate a hole that could dislodge a paver, which will inevitably lead to more in the near future.
Environmentally Friendly
Softwashing typically involves the use of eco-friendly cleaning solutions, which are less harmful to the environment than harsh chemicals or excessive water usage associated with high-pressure methods. The solution used is water soluble, biodegradable and leaves no residue. There are many products on the market that are claiming to be appropriate for use by homeowners. For normal cleanings, Castle Wash uses two chemicals. Chlorine (Sodium Hypochlorite) that is heavily diluted, and a surfactant (soap). The chlorine is the same active ingredient used to treat city water and swimming pools alike. The surfactant adds a nice scent and allows the solution to break surface tension, grab dirt and stay wet longer, increasing its cleaning potential! That being said, when the mix has dried, it has lost all of its potency. When exposed to UV and air, it has a life expectancy of about 1 hour. This makes it safe and environmentally friendly. The same can’t necessarily be said about the other storebought products.
Effective Stain Removal
Softwashing is highly effective at removing tough stains like oil, grease, rust, and algae from concrete surfaces. The combination of low-pressure water and specialized detergents ensures a thorough cleaning without harming the concrete or scarring softer materials. Also, weakened paint can be underneath some of these stains, and a pressure washer is a certain way to remove it un-necessarily.
Long-Lasting Results
Softwashing not only cleans the surface but also helps prevent the rapid return of stains and contaminants. The cleaning solutions used often inhibit the regrowth of algae, mold, and mildew, leading to longer-lasting cleanliness. While pressure washing, I always pre and post treat concrete, yet it is of a much lower concentration. For older concrete, this approach is just fine and is industry standard. Yet for younger concrete that is still smooth, with very little exposed aggregate, I always elect to soft wash it and allow it to brighten over a few days!
Versatile Applications
Softwashing can be used on a variety of concrete surfaces, including driveways, sidewalks, patios, and building exteriors. It's suitable for both residential and commercial properties. Soft washing is particularly useful on painted surface like the aforementioned pool decks and building exteriors. As these painted surfaces endure, heat, cold, rain, water and wind, it becomes battered. UV in particular has a way of weakening and oxidizing paint. Pressure washing would remove certain areas of this ‘film’ and not others. This would cause the surface to be riddled with zig zags and marks that would further degrade its appearance. Soft washing will provide even results!
Safer for Operators and Surroundings
Softwashing is a safer technique for operators since it reduces the risk of injury from high-pressure water and flying debris. On a safety note, softwashing a one-story roof can usually be done from the ground. Nothing is worth falling off a roof.
Conserves Water
Softwashing typically uses less water than high-pressure washing, making it a more water-efficient cleaning method. Although for some roof cleanings, drainage from the roof will need to be sufficiently diluted to avoid harming plants and vegetation. This is due to the increased application strength of the solution for this method.
Aesthetically Pleasing Results
Softwashing enhances both the appearance and sometimes smell, of all surfaces. It makes them look clean and well-maintained. This can enhance the curb appeal of your property.
Cost-Effective: While softwashing may sometimes cost slightly more than high-pressure washing due to the use of specialized cleaning solutions, it can ultimately be cost-effective in terms of preserving the longevity of your concrete surfaces and prolonging the life of your current concrete. Just like owning a car, the savings come doing regular scheduled maintenance, not from the massive overhauls that cost more than twenty oil changes combined. Oil is cheap, engines are expensive. A soft wash service is cheap, relative to a new slab!
A Quick Note
As with the use of chemicals and equipment, always use extreme caution. Many off the shelf chemicals used in cleaning homes can be extremely harmful to people, pets and plants. Any attempts to soft wash or pressure wash your home should only be undertaken with appropriate PPE. Including but not limited to goggles, close-toed shows, gloves and a good set of clothes that cover the most skin. While you can buy a pressure washer at a multitude of stores, softwashing equipment on average is much more scarce, expensive and specialized (best leave it to the pros!).
In summary, softwashing is a gentle and effective method for cleaning concrete that offers numerous benefits, including surface preservation, environmental friendliness, stain removal, long-lasting results, and safety advantages. It is a practical choice for maintaining and enhancing the appearance of concrete/ painted surfaces without the potential risks associated with high-pressure cleaning. Also, it is the most widely accepted and effective way to clean shingle and tile roofs. Don’t take my word for it, copy and paste the link below!
Check out what the shingle manufacture has to say about my methods: https://www.asphaltroofing.org/algae-moss-prevention-cleaning-asphalt-roofing-systems/
Schedule Quality Pressure Washing In Orlando & The Surrounding Areas Today!