I wrote an article which was published recently in Concrete Decor magazine, one of the leading trade publications on decorative concrete and hardscaping. Although most of us successfully use power washing as part of our business, this article has specifically to do with modern high-end finishes that can be damaged using pressure washing. I would assume some power washing contractors may have a problem with some of the information I share in the article. However, we are the National Soft Wash Alliance. I will be posting this as a promotional post later on but I am interested in your thoughts, so I wanted to post it in a thread as well. I am including photos which unfortunately were not included with the article.
Here it is:
A Safe Approach to Modern Hard Surface Cleaning and Restoration
Pressure or power washing has traditionally been used as the standard to clean and maintain exterior hard surfaces or hardscaping. This cleaning process has rendered acceptable results for years because the standard surface to be cleaned was a basic flat concrete finish without color. Concrete design and application has changed drastically. Modern decorative concrete is rich in design, color, and finish. It can also represent a significant investment for the owner. This calls for revisiting how to properly clean and maintain many modern hard surfaces without causing damage.
Damage Caused by Pressure Washing
The desired finish for most modern concrete is achieved by working the surface to bring up the "cream" consisting of cement and fine aggregate as well as color. The result is a hard, smooth and rich finish. The use of pressure washing machines to clean concrete results in a tremendous amount of pressure used at very close range. This can result in a marked improvement in the overall appearance of the surface. Unfortunately, this can also tear into the delicate finish of the concrete, especially after using higher pressure or doing multiple cleanings.
The typical result is that the fine aggregate (generally sand) beneath the surface is exposed and the desired finish, including color, is partially or almost completely removed. This damage cannot be undone without a costly overlay because the exposed aggregate does not functionally retain efforts to re-stain or dye. It is compounded by the fact that the surface is now far more porous and prone to various stains. The new color is a dull tone that reflects the color of the revealed aggregate.
The Problem with Pressure Washing
Power washing has been and will continue to be a valuable tool for professional contract cleaners. That said, an experienced power washing contractor knows there is a real art to achieving acceptable results using the proper tools. Unfortunately, countless results show that pressure washing is the culprit for a very large percentage of damage caused to many hard surfaces.
Typically when a pressure washing wand is used, keeping a consistent distance from the surface is simply ergonomically challenging. Use of a surface cleaner greatly improves this problem for field areas. However, surface cleaners are designed for close proximity to the surface, spray tips generally ranging from 1" to 2" from the surface. This is simply too close in many cases to safely clean without causing damage to costly, fine hard surfaces.
The facts show that professional surface cleaners can and do "cut" into the finished concrete surface, and the circular rings of damage are unmistakable. While power washing will always have a place in exterior cleaning, many modern materials and surfaces dictate that it should be used as an effective rinsing tool from 1 or more feet away from the surface, not inches.
Other hard surfaces, such as stone, can be severely damaged using pressure. Many hardscapes use softer stones, such as sand and flagstone, which obviously need to be handled delicately. Sedimentary stone such as slate, flagstone and limestone can have a relatively high resistance to direct, vertical pressure but are highly prone to delamination and can be severely damaged by the use of pressure washing.
How to Care for Modern Hardscapes Properly and Safely
Today, modern decorative concrete and hardscaping can be safely and efficiently restored using little or no pressure and the results attained are far superior. Advances in environmentally safe, incredibly effective chemicals, as well as professional application methods, allow experienced professionals to remove all sorts of stains including biological staining, rust, battery acid, fertilizer, efflorescence, grease, oil, and dirt. The stunning results provide a more comprehensive clean that lasts far longer and cause zero damage to modern hardscape surfaces.
Well done Eric! Did you clean all in those pictures without a surface cleaner and just soft washing?
Eric Schnaible said
Mar 3, 2018
Thanks Brett, Yes those were done without pressure (other than for rinsing). We have all the equipment and definitely use PW's and surface cleaners but probably less than others.
Brian C Jackson said
Mar 3, 2018
Nice Work Eric...
Chris Mozick said
Mar 3, 2018
Nice job
HHandywork said
Mar 4, 2018
Really looks great! You can see such a difference with all the colors restored in the hardscape
Art O said
Mar 4, 2018
Very nice Eric
Eric Schnaible said
Mar 4, 2018
Thanks guys. Feels good to contribute when I can.
Jim Prom said
Mar 4, 2018
Great before and afters, the steps look amazing.
Maverick Contracting said
Mar 4, 2018
Great in-site Eric.
This is what the Homeowners, property managers, H.O.A's need in-their-face well before they even start to think about cleaning or they will just hire the cheapest bidder.
I wrote an article which was published recently in Concrete Decor magazine, one of the leading trade publications on decorative concrete and hardscaping. Although most of us successfully use power washing as part of our business, this article has specifically to do with modern high-end finishes that can be damaged using pressure washing. I would assume some power washing contractors may have a problem with some of the information I share in the article. However, we are the National Soft Wash Alliance. I will be posting this as a promotional post later on but I am interested in your thoughts, so I wanted to post it in a thread as well. I am including photos which unfortunately were not included with the article.
Here it is:
A Safe Approach to Modern Hard Surface Cleaning and Restoration
Pressure or power washing has traditionally been used as the standard to clean and maintain exterior hard surfaces or hardscaping. This cleaning process has rendered acceptable results for years because the standard surface to be cleaned was a basic flat concrete finish without color. Concrete design and application has changed drastically. Modern decorative concrete is rich in design, color, and finish. It can also represent a significant investment for the owner. This calls for revisiting how to properly clean and maintain many modern hard surfaces without causing damage.
Damage Caused by Pressure Washing
The desired finish for most modern concrete is achieved by working the surface to bring up the "cream" consisting of cement and fine aggregate as well as color. The result is a hard, smooth and rich finish. The use of pressure washing machines to clean concrete results in a tremendous amount of pressure used at very close range. This can result in a marked improvement in the overall appearance of the surface. Unfortunately, this can also tear into the delicate finish of the concrete, especially after using higher pressure or doing multiple cleanings.
The typical result is that the fine aggregate (generally sand) beneath the surface is exposed and the desired finish, including color, is partially or almost completely removed. This damage cannot be undone without a costly overlay because the exposed aggregate does not functionally retain efforts to re-stain or dye. It is compounded by the fact that the surface is now far more porous and prone to various stains. The new color is a dull tone that reflects the color of the revealed aggregate.
The Problem with Pressure Washing
Power washing has been and will continue to be a valuable tool for professional contract cleaners. That said, an experienced power washing contractor knows there is a real art to achieving acceptable results using the proper tools. Unfortunately, countless results show that pressure washing is the culprit for a very large percentage of damage caused to many hard surfaces.
Typically when a pressure washing wand is used, keeping a consistent distance from the surface is simply ergonomically challenging. Use of a surface cleaner greatly improves this problem for field areas. However, surface cleaners are designed for close proximity to the surface, spray tips generally ranging from 1" to 2" from the surface. This is simply too close in many cases to safely clean without causing damage to costly, fine hard surfaces.
The facts show that professional surface cleaners can and do "cut" into the finished concrete surface, and the circular rings of damage are unmistakable. While power washing will always have a place in exterior cleaning, many modern materials and surfaces dictate that it should be used as an effective rinsing tool from 1 or more feet away from the surface, not inches.
Other hard surfaces, such as stone, can be severely damaged using pressure. Many hardscapes use softer stones, such as sand and flagstone, which obviously need to be handled delicately. Sedimentary stone such as slate, flagstone and limestone can have a relatively high resistance to direct, vertical pressure but are highly prone to delamination and can be severely damaged by the use of pressure washing.
How to Care for Modern Hardscapes Properly and Safely
Today, modern decorative concrete and hardscaping can be safely and efficiently restored using little or no pressure and the results attained are far superior. Advances in environmentally safe, incredibly effective chemicals, as well as professional application methods, allow experienced professionals to remove all sorts of stains including biological staining, rust, battery acid, fertilizer, efflorescence, grease, oil, and dirt. The stunning results provide a more comprehensive clean that lasts far longer and cause zero damage to modern hardscape surfaces.
Well done Eric! Did you clean all in those pictures without a surface cleaner and just soft washing?
This is what the Homeowners, property managers, H.O.A's need in-their-face well before they even start to think about cleaning or they will just hire the cheapest bidder.