Written by Diane M. Calabrese| Published August 2024
Cornucopia, A to Z, endless uses…Take a pick of metaphors to illustrate all that pressure washing does to make the world a better place.
“Improved health and hygiene stand as one of the least-known benefits of pressure washing,” says Christopher Blann, CEO of Powerwash.com in Fort Worth, TX. “You’re eliminating mold, mildew, pathogens, and allergens.”
It is also more difficult for mold and mildew, for example, to grow back on a washed surface. That makes pressure washing a way of “creating a better quality environment,” explains Blann.
And it’s not just human health that gets a boost. “Keeping things free of organics can actually improve the lifespan of structures,” says Blann.
Citing surfaces such as “tile walls” or “anything with nooks and crannies,” Blann reminds us how tough the organic world can be. “You get a little piece of plant material in there—in a crack— and it begins to grow and exert force.”
The cracks can build and lead to ruptures or water leaks in aggregates. It’s exactly analogous to what happens on rock surfaces in nature when lichens begin to grow, followed by plants as the rock surface breaks apart and soil begins to form.
The organization Blann heads has a long track record. “We’ve been around for 50 years,” he says.
Thus, when Blann recalls the benefits of pressure washing, the tackling of the toughest jobs is high on his list. “Hot water pressure can’t be beat for removing gas station grease,” he says.
The great benefit of pressure washing overall, however, is that so much can be accomplished with mechanical force (water under pressure) or chemicals (soft washing) alone. Power washing contractors commit to “use what’s appropriate” to the task, explains Blann. It’s not about choosing one method and adhering to it alone.
When we try to imagine the amount of manual labor involved in cleaning prior to the advent of pressure washers, we begin to appreciate just how much harnessing the force of water— the universal solvent—has benefited society. Let’s go a little deeper.
Power washing encompasses both pressure washing and soft washing. Terminology often overlaps, with power and pressure getting interchanged.
“I use pressure washing loosely in my answers as almost every contractor currently washing only uses high pressure on concrete, bare metal, and other specific substrates,” explains Jud West, owner of WashRite Services in Valdosta, GA, who responded to several questions we put to him. “Most contractors soft wash with their pressure washer whenever possible.”
In other words, a contractor may be using a pressure washer and soft washing or deploying a pressure washer and applying pressure. “Interchangeable” terminology should be noted.
“One of the lesser-known benefits of pressure washing is how it helps keep surfaces safer,” says West. “While most people think of pressure washing just for making places look better, like cleaning dirt off a driveway or making a house look new again, its role in safety is often missed.”
The mold, algae, and mildew that build up on surfaces can make surfaces unsafe, explains West. “These contaminants can make surfaces slippery and can cause people to slip and fall, which is a big risk in busy spots like walkways, driveways, and patios.”
A slip-resistant surface is not only a safer one, but in the litigious society in which we live, it’s also an imperative for owners of commercial property. The priority for owners of parking garages and malls—all foot-trafficked areas—is to take precautions to ensure the safety of their patrons.
In addition to the benefits to long-term structural integrity of surfaces that comes from removing organics, there is a benefit to health. “Regular pressure washing can help reduce health risks by cleaning away these harmful substances, improving air quality, and making the environment safer for everyone,” explains West.
“Pressure washing helps stop harmful bacteria and allergens from building up,” says West. “Mold spores and pollen can gather on outdoor surfaces and cause breathing problems for people with allergies or asthma.”
“The ‘versatility’ of pressure washing is well known but not completely appreciated,” says West. He adds, “Applications extend far beyond basic tasks.”
West gives us a few examples: revitalization of the appearance of home exteriors including siding, brick, and stucco, which increases curb appeal; restoration of the original beauty of a surface; and preparation of a surface for painting or staining.
Proper surface preparation is the surest method of “ensuring better adhesion and a more lasting finish,” explains West.
“Beyond residential applications, pressure washing is also versatile in commercial and industrial settings,” says West. “It can be used to maintain the cleanliness of heavy machinery, vehicles, and equipment, which helps in prolonging their operational life.
“Furthermore, pressure washing is ideal for cleaning public spaces such as parks, playgrounds, and streets, where it can efficiently remove graffiti, gum, and other debris,” continues West. “This versatility makes pressure washing an indispensable tool for a wide range of cleaning and maintenance tasks, often overlooked for its sheer adaptability and efficacy.”
Veteran contractors know the ins and outs of pressure and flow very well. But it’s worth recalling how much the correct combination of pressure and flow can bolster the benefits of a pressure washer, whether used as a force in itself or for soft washing.
It’s been almost 100 years since Frank W. Ofeldt II, a maker of whisky stills and more, earned credit as the developer of a pressure washer in 1926. Firsts are always difficult to peg, but his story is an engaging one.
Today pressure washer assembly is anything except DIY. The choices that contractors have for tools that allow them to do more with less are wide.
When choosing, it’s always a good idea to keep in mind the basics. When we get the basics correct, we bolster the benefits derived from pressure washing.
The interplay between pressure and flow is where all good outcomes begin. And Jack Bond with Dyne Power Packs LLC in Vero Beach, FL, suggests it’s the best place to begin when reviewing the basics.
Flow must always get the consideration it deserves, explains Bond.
Thus, we begin there because buying a machine based on its psi capability alone does not take in sufficient consideration of related parameters.
“While pressure is very important, the water flow is equally as relevant when undertaking a wide variety of cleaning tasks and increasing efficiency and preserving valuable working time,” says Bond. He adds that a contractor must have “a properly matched cleaning system” with the flow and pressure working in consort.
Think psi [pounds per square inch] and gpm [gallons per minute]. “The two forces work in harmony,” says Bond. “The combination of both are game changers.”
When purchasing a machine to serve as the core of an operation, a contractor must consider the most common types of surfaces it will meet and applications it will perform.
“Water flow is equally as important as the pressure, and often high pressure is not desirable and will actually damage the surfaces,” explains Bond. “Lower pressure and less force combined with higher water flow is highly effective on many surfaces.”
Working in the background but crucial to the performance of a pressure washer is the engine. Both the pressure (force) and volume of water are “affected by whatever horsepower engine is powering the machine,” says Bond.
“The type of pump drive is another important piece of the puzzle,” explains Bond. “Gear drive and belt drive are more of an initial investment and considered better options than direct drive units.”
Always consider the correspondence between initial investment and servicing, says Bond. “Direct drive pumps are turning at the same speed—at about 3600 rpm—as the engine and do offer more efficient power transfer but with more frequent servicing required than a reduced rpm drive.”
In contrast, gear- or belt-drive should require less maintenance. “Using a belt or gears will reduce the pump speed by 50 percent,” says Bond.
The reduced speed translates to “less wear and tear” and lower ongoing maintenance costs, says Bond. He adds, though, that direct drive units have their place.
Contractors have become ever more savvy over the decades, a match for the refinements in the machines they use. They consider climate and seasonality along with applications when buying machines, says Bond.
The choice between hot-water and cold-water machines has also become more important than ever. Contractors weigh the benefits of one over the other, and often choose both.
Bond says that “demand for high-volume, cold-water systems has exploded in many markets.” But hot water machines that lead to gains in efficiency by cleaning with heated water are competitively in the mix.
“Many contractors know what they want and are very specific about performance and quality,” says Bond. “When in doubt, seek out advice from a reputable dealer who can answer any questions and assist in your equipment acquisition.”
The cornucopia of pressure washing benefits meets its match in the cornucopia of machine choices. It’s certainly a bounty that benefits society.