There’s nothing better than springtime in North Carolina. As the slow thaw of winter releases its grip, we transition from cold to rain to, inevitably, our own special dust bowl.

As anyone around the Triangle knows: April and May mean pollen season. The pollen quickly becomes the bane of everyone’s existence, as it covers every surface in a grimy yellow dust that would deter anyone from wanting to step foot outside.

That’s where soft pressure washing comes in.

 

What is soft pressure washing?

When most of our Wake Forest customers think of pressure washing they think of spraying high-power water jets take out long encrusted dirt (usually pretty accurate) After all, pressure washing usually the best way to take care of a host of outside problems like dirt, mildew, and grime.

Recently, however, “soft pressure washing is term that’s increasingly popular since it describes pressure washing that’s less harsh and intended not to damage surfaces (but using pressure that’s stronger than than your normal water hose or off-the-shelf electric pressure washer).

Soft pressure washing specifically employs the use of a special nozzle head, softer soaps, and specialized pressure washer settings (in contrast to regular pressure washing that, overall, employs more pounds per square inch in order to power through tough stains). In fact, soft pressure washing was originally developed as a technique to remove algae stains from siding without the need for intense, potentially damaging-to-surfaces pressure.

Soft pressure washing is perfect for removing collection of pollen dust that seems to linger long after spring has ended and into summer.

 

When to use soft pressure washing versus normal pressure washing?

Materials like certain types of siding (e.g. cedar shake), pressure treated lumber, certain types of flagstone need a more delicate touch than a traditional pressure washer would provide. Quite often, our clients in request soft pressure washing in Wake Forest in their garden area since features like landscaping stones, raised beds, and wood fence can be easily damaged if not cared for by a professional.

Blue Wave Pressure Washing also uses a special set of chemicals for our soft pressure washing clients. Our special mix of solution focuses on gently removing biological materials from surfaces without damaging the underlying structure. Soft pressure washing also has the secondary effect on being easier on plants, shrubs, and trees that are often near exterior surfaces.

 

Do I need a soft pressure washing service?

Our Wake Forest customer are often unsure if they need a “soft pressure washing” service, but often our trained expertise will help them choose the type of pressure washing approach and technique that they need based on their project. 

Roofing and roofing shingles are a good example. Roofs should never be pressure washed using the same methods you would for, say, concrete or parking lots. Many shingle manufacturers and roof installers explicitly include language in their fine terms that will void a warranty if roofs are exposed to heavy pressure washing techniques.

When choosing someone to pressure wash your home, be sure to ask about the specific techniques and chemicals they plan to use on your property. To offer one cautionary tale, we recently had a customer in the Wake Forest area have their external garaged pressure washed only to discover that it began leaking a week later during a heavy rain storm.

We always recommend that your pressure washing professional conduct a through assessment of your property and walk you through how they intend to clean your home or business.

 

Choosing Someone You Can Trust

The experts at Blue Wave Pressure Washing are not only licensed and insured, but have a 5 star rating with our customers. If you’re unsure about whether you need soft pressure washing or a normal service—contact the experts at Blue Wave Pressure Washing today.