Pressure Washing vs. Power Washing: What’s the Difference?

by with No Comment Pressure and Power Washing

There are so many types of cleaning out there it can be hard to keep track, especially if you don’t know the first thing about cleaning. Two of the most confusing terms are pressure washing vs. power washing. For real, what’s the difference? They sound so similar, and don’t pressure and power basically mean the same thing? The truth is, they are really similar, but there is an important distinction. Let’s talk it through.

What’s the Difference?

The main distinction between pressure washing vs. power washing is the temperature of the water. Power washing uses hot water, and pressure washing does not. While it may seem minimal, this is actually a very important distinction to make. Both use basically the same amount of pressure to clean your home or building, but the hot water is not safe for all structures. So, it’s important to keep these two terms straight, and work with a cleaning business that knows the difference.

What Surfaces are Safe for Pressure Washing vs. Power Washing?

Pretty much all exterior surfaces are safe for pressure washing. Pressure washing is the easy part, because the temperature is not nearly as hot. So, you can use it on your home, your sidewalk, your parking lot, etc. But, power washing cannot be used for everything. Often, the water is too hot to be safely used on your home or building itself. Instead, it is better to reserve power washing for more concrete structures … literally. Surfaces such as concrete are ideal for power washing because, not only are they sturdy enough to withstand the heat, they also get dirtier. Think about it: your parking lot or driveway is probably much dirtier than your home or office building, right? The heat of the water helps pull the grime up more quickly and efficiently than pressure alone. 

Isn’t That Pressure and Heat Dangerous?

Pressure washing and power washing can sound scary. The water is coming out of the cleaner at a pressure high enough to clean quickly, and then you add heat on top of that. So what happens if something goes wrong?

Hopefully nothing will go wrong, but there is always the possibility for accidents, especially if a team is cleaning an upper level of a building. Should something happen, you don’t want to be held liable for something the cleaning crew did. So, it is always important to work with a cleaning company that carries insurance for its employees. Insurance is not required for cleaning companies, but it is always a good sign that a company takes its job and safety seriously. 

Who Can Do Pressure Washing and Power Washing?

While you can buy pressure washers for home use, it is best to leave these tasks to the professionals. After all, accidents happen. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area or Sacramento, ASF Clean Team has you covered. We provide pressure washing and power washing services for both residential and commercial clients. Plus, we have insurance for all of our employees. Get a free quote today to get a sparkling finish for your home or building’s exterior.

How We Remove Graffiti from Storefronts

by with No Comment Graffiti Removal

We’ve all been there. You get to work early in the morning, ready to start your day, and there is graffiti all over your windows. Whether they’re obscenities or nice messages, graffiti is not the look alpha pharma you want for your business. But, you don’t have time to clean it before it’s time for your store to open, so you just have to leave it for the day and try to deal with it later. What if you could have kept the graffiti from damaging your actual building in the first place? Here’s how we remove (and prevent!) graffiti from storefronts.

Removing the Graffiti Quickly

If you’ve ever dealt with graffiti before, you know the key to removing it is to remove it quickly. Not only does it not look good for your business, but in the absolute worst-case scenario, you could have to replace your windows due to the damage. We don’t want that to happen. When you call ASF Clean Team for graffiti removal, we will do our best to be there within 48 hours. This way, you don’t have to deal with it too long, and it shouldn’t cause irreversible damage to your storefront.

We will remove the graffiti by power washing your storefront. With graffiti, we must use a bit of chemicals to remove the paint, but they are safe for your windows.

Stop the Damage Before It Happens

Okay, so we can’t stop people from actually spraying graffiti on your storefront. As much as we would love to, it’s just not possible. But, we can help stop the damage before it happens. In order to prevent graffiti, we recommend Avery Dennison® Universal Anti Graffiti Films. This is a clear film that goes on your windows to protect them from the paint; you won’t even notice it. If you unfortunately arrive to graffiti on your storefront, you can just easily clean it yourself with whatever cleaning supplies you have on hand.

We do not currently offer this service. However, we’re hoping to offer this service again in the future, so please check back with us if you are interested in graffiti prevention!

Get Ready to Prevent Graffiti Today

Now that you know how we remove (and prevent!) graffiti from storefronts, don’t wait to call ASF Clean Team for help. The longer you wait, the more likely you’ll find the dreaded graffiti on your store in the morning. Get ahead of it now and get in a bid to install anti-graffiti film on your storefront. That way, the next time you find graffiti, it’s not nearly as much of a pain. But if you do need help removing graffiti, give us a call, and we’ll be there as soon as we can.