A Brief History Of Pressure Washing

The origin of pressure washing was a fortunate accident. While he was working for a company that made gas-fired water heaters and boilers, Frank W. Ofeldt II invented the first steam pressure washer in the United States in 1926. He first had the idea for what would become the foundation of modern pressure washing while experimenting with his design for a portable whiskey distiller in his Pennsylvania garage where he noticed that when his design's steam outlet was directed downward, wet steam would hit his dirty garage floor and the built-up grease there would shift and move. He knew that steam was a gasified liquid without mass or body and therefore it could only move the grease and not remove it, so he set out to create a machine that could, and pressure washing was born.

The science and technology of pressure washing and exterior surface cleaning are always evolving, and Power Wash Pro respects the history of pressure washing and keeps up with new improvements to provide Oxford area home and business owners with the best exterior cleaning service and truly transformative results.

The Power And The Pressure

Technically, it was the effect of pressurized steam on oil stains that drove the inventor of the first pressure washing machine to develop his first design, so the pressure washing industry officially began with heated water power washing. It was steam that provided the pressure and the heat. The first applications of Ofeldt's pressure washing machine, and the many more to follow, were for industrial and commercial exterior cleaning jobs in factories, plants, warehouses, and stadiums.

But, as science progressed and the machinery and equipment became more compact and portable, the possibilities of residential application became more possible. The heating element of the power washer was sacrificed for the sake of portability and because in nearly all residential applications the unheated water of pressure washing was deemed to be more than enough, with heated water power washing reserved for deeply dirty commercial projects.

Taking a cue from carpet cleaners, exterior surface cleaners began pre-treating especially tough stains, and mould, algae, and mildew infestations with chemicals to kill and dissolve, and that eventually evolved into the eco-safe chemicals and solvents used today.

Chemical Agents And Soft Washing

The psi power of pressure washing reached its peak with gas-powered commercial-grade machines capable of up to 50,000 pounds per square inch (psi). But that kind of power had some drawbacks in certain applications like house washing and deck cleaning where more fragile building materials were damaged by the high pressure. Enter the science of chemistry, and experiments with bleach, detergents, and mineral acids led to the invention of the most effective cleansing solutions for use in pre-soaking to dissolve contaminants and kill organic growth on exterior surfaces which can then be removed using low-pressure and no-pressure washing.

Leave The Pressure Washing To The Pros

Luckily, we make the process to schedule your pressure washing much easier - no history lesson required. Instead of DIY pressure cleaning, trust our experienced professionals to get the job done for you. Contact us today and schedule your service.