Pressure washing, also called power washing, or surface cleaning, is the use of high-pressure water to remove dirt, grime, and stains from surfaces such as buildings and vehicles.
The process is usually achieved through the use of a high-pressure hose which sprays a powerful jet of water at a pressure between 400 and 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi), with the most common pressure being about 1000 psi.
Pressure washing is a process of washing surfaces with high-pressure water. This process can be used to remove any unwanted substances like mold, algae, insects, and dirt. It is also an effective way to kill mosquito larvae and stop the spread of mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika and West Nile virus. The pressure hose or a mechanical scrubbing brush is held at a downward angle and directed against the surface being cleaned.
Water can also be sprayed from above, in the same way, that water is sprayed from a firehose. The scrubbing action with either tool dislodges many loose particles of dirt, mold, and other materials which are then washed away by the high-pressure water stream. Hot-water pressure washing should not be used for plastic surfaces as it may cause damage to some types of plastic. Pressure washing can remove moss and lichen from porous surfaces like stucco, brick, and concrete, but is generally not effective on smooth surfaces such as metal or glass unless it has been previously damaged by chemicals.
Types of Pressure Washing
There are 3 general types of pressure washing:
- Cold water pressure washing: As a cheaper and safer alternative, it is widely used for maintenance purposes. The best pressure washers for removing dirt and grime from surfaces are those that use cold water. With a cold-water pressure washer at your disposal, you can clean anything from metal cars to concrete driveways.
- Hot water pressure washing: It uses heated water which makes the surface cleaner. This is suitable for surfaces that are regularly exposed to stains from smoke, oils, and greases, etc. With hot water pressure and specific chemical, pressure washing can break up the oils and grease on the hard surface in the kitchen floors, and areas that need to be cleaned from months or years of use.
- Steam pressure washing: It involves using jets of steam to clean surfaces and then rinsing them with cold water. Steam pressure washers can also be used to remove dirt from buildups that cannot be removed by only hot or cold water alone. Because of the high pressure, dirt and grime is moved from the surface rather than dissolved. The pressure water can also help to remove some hard stains and clean off light lime deposits caused by lime-sulfur solutions. The use of a pressure washer helps reduce waste when cleaning multiple surfaces. It is efficient, as it can be used to clean a large area without the need for more water or soap.
Pressure Washing Industry
The pressure washing industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. It is a $3 billion dollar industry, and it continues to rise by 15% every year. Cleaning services are also a flourishing business which has increased by 12.5% due to pressure washing. Businesses that use pressure washing outside see an increase in foot traffic and will see their business increase over time because of the cleanliness of their establishment. . Certain companies are in need of pressure washing because of the messes made by the materials they use. The industry has seen an increase in construction and commercial equipment, as well as companies moving into the industry. Construction companies have a large number of machines that they need to maintain and repair. Some construction companies will hire private contractors to clean up their messes on their behalf of them.