Today, vinyl siding offers residential homeowners all the beauty without the hassle. Unlike its counterparts, vinyl siding requires periodic cleaning with mild soap and water from a hose. In this article, we will give you useful recommendations for cleaning vinyl siding so that your home always looks like new and its facade remains clean and well-maintained for years to come.
Why vinyl siding cleaning is important
Exterior cleaning should be done once a year during the spring season. This is especially important if you live in a cold area where frost and snow can cause a lot of problems for your home. However, there is no rule as to when you should clean your siding. Any time of the year can be appropriate. The most important thing is to choose a mild, sunny day to clean.
Many natural factors affect the appearance of your siding. Dirt from the road, dust and pollen can really mess up your home. If you find dirt on the surface of your siding, know that you must take immediate action to clean it. Otherwise, your siding can become covered in green algae, mold, mildew, fungus, and other nasty growths. Below, we’ll talk about how to properly and effectively clean vinyl siding to prevent these nasty growths and keep the exterior of your home in perfect condition.
Vinyl Siding Cleaning Features
We offer three main methods for cleaning vinyl siding: a soft brush, a garden hose, and a pressure washer:
- Use a soft cloth or a simple brush with a handle to clean the surface of your siding. If the surface of your siding is finely textured, use a soft-bristled brush. For best results, start at the bottom of your house and work your way up.
- Use a garden hose to rinse off any solution you apply. If your home’s siding is brick, cover it with plastic wrap to prevent water from getting on it.
- Pressure Wash. This is an ideal solution for cleaning vinyl, but unless you have the proper experience and specialized equipment, it’s best not to resort to it. If you do decide to use this method, hold the pressure washer at eye level. Make sure the water hits the top of the siding for the best cleaning results.
You should also keep in mind that there are some types of vinyl that are not suitable for pressure washing. When working with these materials, it is best to proceed with caution and care.
Which products to use to clean siding
There are many special sprayers on the market today that are designed to clean siding. They attach directly to a garden hose. This approach guarantees quality results while preserving the integrity of your siding.
When using cleaning products, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. The process is usually a simple matter of installing the hose spray nozzle and regulating the flow of water and cleaning solution from the special nozzle. Because you get extra water pressure, you can clean siding as high as a two-story building.
Special bleach can also be used to clean siding if your siding is designed to be cleaned with such products. In general, you should check with the siding manufacturer about cleaning siding. If you want to use something more gentle, you can make your own siding cleaning solution. You will need 30% vinegar and 70% water. Although vinegar is considered a proven effective remedy, it takes a little more effort to get rid of stubborn stains.
Follow the instructions on the product. There are products that suggest that you wash the siding dry, and some that are used only after you have washed the exterior of the house. You should not rub the siding excessively, as such actions can cause the siding surface to deteriorate, crack and peel.
Remember that plants are delicate and do not like harsh chemicals used to clean siding. The harsh chemicals can damage your garden. To prevent this, pre-water your garden. Well-soaked soil will prevent the detergent from being absorbed. We also recommend covering your plants with a tarp.
Features of Pressure Washing Vinyl Siding
The most ideal way to clean vinyl siding is with a pressure washer. Although we did not recommend this method above if you are inexperienced, we will still give you some tips to help you learn how to use this equipment.
The angle of the water spray depends on the color of the nozzle. We recommend that people without experience use a wide angle nozzle as it is less likely to damage your siding. Before we get into the pressure washing process itself, let’s understand what other nozzles are available. Each nozzle is designed for a specific surface:
- Red tips. These are the strongest tips that do not have an angle. Accordingly, their cleaning is characterized by a higher degree of intensity. Ideal for hard surfaces, but not for vinyl;
- Yellow tips. The angle of these tips is 15 degrees, but they still have a high level of power. Also suitable for hard surfaces;
- Green tips. These tips have a 25 degree angle, which reduces pressure and the likelihood of damaging the material. This nozzle is even better for experienced operators as it provides a large atomization of water;
- The white nozzle has an angle of 40 degrees, making it a good choice for soft materials. This nozzle is ideal for various types of siding, including vinyl siding. We recommend this option for inexperienced homeowners;
- The black nozzle is for spraying cleaning products on various surfaces.
Before you start washing, you must set up the machine. Then close all the windows. Turn off the electrical outlets and protect them from moisture. Pour the special cleaner into the washer, then dip the hose into the solution. Connect a garden hose to the water supply. Continue spraying. Perform this procedure at least 3 feet directly from the treatment area. Remember that pressure washing must be done with safety glasses, so put them on before the process and do not remove them until you have washed the siding. After applying the solution, allow approximately 10 minutes for it to work. The product should have a damaging effect on dirt and fungus. Do not allow the solution to dry on the siding. Rinse off the solution thoroughly, using a top to bottom motion.
If used improperly, a pressure washer can be dangerous to you and cause damage to the delicate vinyl material. We encourage you to use the special equipment carefully or leave the vinyl siding cleaning to the professionals.
Leave your siding cleaning to the professionals
Cleaning vinyl siding is sometimes best left to the professionals. When is this relevant? If your building has complex architecture, relatively high walls, or if you don’t have experience with a pressure washer and don’t want to learn. If you see mold or mildew on your siding, call a professional immediately.
Appearances such as cracking, fading, chipping and the presence of other damage require immediate repair or replacement of individual pieces of vinyl siding. Once the siding begins to warp and you notice individual panels pulling away from the walls, it’s a clear sign that it’s time for repairs.
Remember, only by hiring professionals can you be sure that your siding will be properly inspected and cleaned. The services of a professional cleaning team will help you extend the life of your siding and prevent more serious consequences.
