Can pressure washing damage my home?

Yes, if done incorrectly. High-pressure water damages soft brick mortar, strips paint, etches natural stone, blows out polymeric sand from interlock joints, splinters wood, and can force water behind siding. This is why surface-appropriate PSI matters. Concrete can handle 3,000-4,000 PSI. Heritage brick needs 500-1,000 PSI. Using the wrong PSI causes expensive damage.

Is soft washing safe for all surfaces?

Soft washing is safe for virtually all exterior surfaces when done with the right cleaning solution. It's the only appropriate method for heritage brick, natural stone, stucco, painted wood, vinyl siding, and roofing. The cleaning solution does the work — the low pressure just rinses it away. Professional solutions are biodegradable and plant-safe when properly diluted.

Pressure Washing vs Soft Washing: Which Does Your Home Need?

Q: What is the difference between pressure washing and soft washing?

Pressure washing uses high-pressure water (2,500-4,000 PSI) to physically blast dirt, stains, and growth off hard surfaces like concrete. Soft washing uses low pressure (500-1,500 PSI) combined with professional cleaning solutions to chemically kill and remove biological growth from delicate surfaces like brick, stucco, and natural stone. A professional company uses both — the right technique for each surface.

The Simple Difference

Pressure washing uses high-pressure water (2,500 to 4,000 PSI) to blast dirt off hard, durable surfaces. The water does the work through sheer force.

Soft washing uses low-pressure water (500 to 1,500 PSI) combined with professional cleaning solutions to chemically dissolve and kill biological growth on delicate surfaces. The chemistry does the work — the water just rinses it away.

A professional company uses both. The right choice depends entirely on the surface being cleaned.

Which Surfaces Get Which Treatment

Surface	Method	PSI Range	Why
Poured concrete driveway	Pressure wash	3,000 to 4,000	Concrete is hard and durable. High pressure works best.
Interlock / paver driveway	Pressure (low)	1,500 to 2,500	Lower PSI protects polymeric sand in joints.
Natural stone / flagstone	Soft wash	800 to 1,500	High pressure etches and damages natural stone.
Heritage brick (pre-1960)	Soft wash	500 to 1,000	Old lime mortar crumbles under high pressure.
Modern brick (post-1980)	Soft wash	800 to 1,500	Safer than old brick but still needs lower PSI.
Vinyl siding	Soft wash	1,000 to 1,500	High pressure forces water behind siding panels.
Stucco / EIFS	Soft wash	500 to 1,000	High pressure cracks and chips stucco.
Painted wood	Soft wash	500 to 800	High pressure strips paint and splinters wood.
Cedar fencing	Pressure (low)	1,200 to 1,800	Fan tip at distance, always with the grain.
Composite deck	Pressure (low)	1,500 to 2,000	Higher PSI can gouge composite materials.
Wood deck	Pressure (low)	1,200 to 1,800	Same as cedar — with grain, moderate pressure.
Concrete patio	Pressure wash	3,000 to 4,000	Same as driveway — concrete handles it fine.
Garage floor	Pressure wash	3,000 to 4,000	Concrete, often with oil stains needing degreaser.
Retaining wall (stone)	Soft wash	800 to 1,500	Protect mortar joints and stone faces.
Retaining wall (concrete block)	Pressure (medium)	2,000 to 3,000	More durable than stone, can handle more pressure.

The golden rule: If you're not sure whether a surface can handle high pressure, start with soft wash. You can always increase pressure if needed. You can't undo damage from too much pressure.

What Can Go Wrong

Pressure washing damage (too much PSI)

Brick: Mortar joints blown out, brick face chipped or eroded. Repair cost: $15-40 per square foot for repointing.
Interlock: Polymeric sand blasted from joints, pavers shift and settle unevenly. Repair: $2-4 per sq ft for re-sanding, $8-15 per sq ft if pavers need relaying.
Natural stone: Surface etched, colour lightened permanently, texture roughened. Often irreversible.
Wood: Grain raised, surface splintered, pressure marks embedded. Needs sanding and re-staining.
Siding: Water forced behind panels causes mould growth inside walls. May not be visible for months.
Paint: Stripped, peeled, or chipped. Requires full repaint of affected area.

Soft washing issues (very rare)

Plant damage: If cleaning solutions aren't properly diluted or plants aren't pre-rinsed. Professional solutions are biodegradable, and any good company pre-rinses landscaping.
Discolouration: Only if wrong solution is used on the wrong material. Professionals know which chemistry works on which surface.

How to Choose a Company That Does Both

Ask these three questions:

"Do you adjust PSI for different surfaces?" — If they say yes and can explain how, good. If they look confused, walk away.
"What PSI do you use on brick?" — The right answer is 500-1,500 PSI with soft wash solution. If they say 3,000+ PSI, they'll damage your brick.
"Do you offer soft washing?" — If they only own a pressure washer and don't carry cleaning solutions, they can only do concrete. You need a company that does both.

At MANTLE: We carry both systems and adjust PSI for every surface on your property. Concrete gets pressure washed. Brick gets soft washed. Stone gets soft washed. Siding gets soft washed. Every surface gets the right treatment. If we're not sure about a material, we test a small hidden area first.

Cost Difference

Soft washing typically costs 10-20% more than straight pressure washing for the same area because:

Professional cleaning solutions have a per-job material cost
The process takes slightly longer (apply solution, dwell time, rinse)
More skill and experience required

But it's the only safe option for delicate surfaces. Saving $30 by pressure washing your heritage brick and then paying $3,000 to repoint the mortar isn't a deal.

Not Sure What Your Home Needs?

Tell us what surfaces you want cleaned. We'll recommend the right approach and quote it accurately.

Get Free Quote

Or call (416) 206-3274

The Simple Difference

Which Surfaces Get Which Treatment

What Can Go Wrong

Pressure washing damage (too much PSI)

Soft washing issues (very rare)

How to Choose a Company That Does Both

Cost Difference

Not Sure What Your Home Needs?

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