When most homeowners call to get their house cleaned, they ask for "pressure washing." It's the term everyone knows. But depending on what surface you're cleaning, pressure washing might be exactly what you need — or the fastest way to cause damage you didn't budget for. Here's how to tell the difference, and why it matters for homes in Flint and Genesee County.
What Is Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing uses high-pressure water — typically 1,500 to 3,000 PSI or more — to blast dirt, grime, and debris off hard surfaces. It's mechanical cleaning: the force of the water does the work.
Pressure washing is the right tool for surfaces that can handle it: - Concrete driveways and sidewalks - Brick and block surfaces - Pavers - Painted wood decks (with the right PSI and tip) - Garage floors
In Michigan specifically, concrete driveways take a beating from road salt every winter. By April, the white mineral residue and surface staining that accumulates on driveways and sidewalks in Flint, Burton, and Swartz Creek doesn't rinse off with a garden hose. That's where pressure washing earns its name.
What Is Soft Washing?
Soft washing uses low pressure — typically under 500 PSI, close to what comes out of a garden hose — combined with a cleaning solution to break down and kill organic growth at the source. The solution does the work, not the force.
The cleaning agents used in soft washing typically contain a surfactant (to loosen debris), a biodegradable detergent, and a low concentration of sodium hypochlorite that kills algae, mildew, mold, and bacteria on contact. Applied correctly, soft washing solutions are safe for landscaping, pets, and painted surfaces.
Soft washing is the right method for surfaces that would be damaged by high pressure: - Vinyl siding - Roof shingles - Wood siding and trim - Stucco - Painted surfaces - Screened enclosures and window frames
Why Vinyl Siding in Flint Requires Soft Washing
If you live in a mid-century home in Flint, Burton, Mount Morris, or anywhere in Genesee County, there's a good chance your exterior is vinyl siding — often installed as a retrofit over the original wood or asbestos siding during the 1970s and 1980s. It's durable, but it has specific maintenance requirements.
High-pressure washing vinyl siding causes three problems: - Water intrusion — High pressure can force water behind siding panels and into the wall cavity, leading to moisture damage, mold growth inside the wall, and in cold Michigan winters, freeze-thaw damage to the structure. - Surface damage — Pressure washing can crack, dent, or permanently mark vinyl, especially on older panels that have become brittle from decades of Michigan temperature swings. - It doesn't actually clean — Vinyl siding turns green and gray because of algae and mildew growth, not just surface dirt. High pressure removes the visible layer but leaves the root system behind. Regrowth happens faster the next time.
Soft washing kills the organism causing the discoloration. The result lasts significantly longer — typically two to three times as long as a pressure wash — because you're treating the cause, not the symptom.
Why Your Roof Should Never Be Pressure Washed
This is where the stakes are highest. If a contractor offers to pressure wash your roof, decline.
Asphalt shingles have a granule surface that protects against UV damage and weather. High-pressure water strips those granules off — visibly, in some cases you can see them washing down the downspout. Every granule lost shortens the lifespan of your roof.
The black streaks you see on roofs throughout Genesee County, especially on north-facing pitches that stay damp longer, are caused by Gloeocapsa magma — a cyanobacteria that feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. It spreads slowly across the roof surface if left untreated.
Soft washing kills the bacteria completely. The streaks fade within a few weeks as the dead organism washes away naturally with rain. Your roof is cleaned without a single granule disturbed.
Quick Reference: Which Method for Which Surface
- Concrete driveway — Pressure washing
- Vinyl siding — Soft washing
- Brick exterior — Pressure washing (lower PSI)
- Asphalt roof shingles — Soft washing only
- Wood deck — Pressure washing (controlled PSI)
- Painted wood siding — Soft washing
- Pavers and patios — Pressure washing
- Gutters (exterior) — Soft washing or low-pressure
- Stucco — Soft washing only
What Restored Exteriors Uses
Every job starts with an assessment of the surface. Driveways, concrete, and brick get pressure washed. Siding, roofs, and painted surfaces get soft washed. Most full-house exterior cleanings involve both methods — soft wash on the siding and upper surfaces, pressure wash on the driveway and walkways.
If you've had a contractor pressure wash your vinyl siding before and noticed it looked clean for a month before the green came back, this is why. The biology wasn't addressed, just temporarily removed.
Get a Free Estimate
Restored Exteriors serves Flint, Grand Blanc, Davison, Swartz Creek, Fenton, Burton, and all of Genesee County. Free estimates on every job, same-week scheduling when available.
Call (810) 777-7101 or fill out the quote form and we'll get back to you the same day.