What is the difference between pressure washing and powerwashing?

The terms get used interchangeably, but there’s a real technical difference. Pressure washing uses plain, unheated water at high pressure to blast away dirt, algae, and grime — ideal for driveways, sidewalks, and brick. Powerwashing adds heat to that same high-pressure stream, which makes it far more effective against grease, oil, and caked-on grime, especially on commercial surfaces like garage floors or restaurant exteriors. For most residential jobs — siding, decks, patios — pressure washing alone gets the job done. Powerwashing earns its place when you’re fighting petroleum-based stains or heavy biological buildup that cold water struggles against. If your contractor only mentions one term, ask directly whether hot water is involved, since it changes both the price and the equipment needed.