Protect Your Siding From Trees & Shrubs
Vinyl siding is not as susceptible to rot and wear as wood. However, it can crack and puncture. You can keep your siding in excellent condition by trimming any shrubbery or trees that are in direct contact with the house. This will help to prevent damage to the material. You will need to replace any section that is severely damaged since the siding can be pulled off by strong winds.
Cleaning Vinyl Siding
You should clean your vinyl siding once a year to keep it looking great. A hose, sponge, stiff-bristle brush and bucket are all you will need. Clear water should be used to rinse the surface after you have finished scrubbing it. To reach the highest level of dirt and grime, you may need a long-handled car wash brush. You should cover any plants that are near you with plastic tarps.
Vinyl color isn’t a coating on the surface of the material. It permeates the material so it won’t fade. You can paint vinyl siding if you don’t love the color. For a solid finish, two coats of 100% acrylic latex paint are recommended. If you paint your siding, remember that you must paint your siding every two years, just like board siding.
How to Wash Your Siding
Do you think your siding could be in need of a makeover? A thorough cleaning could bring your siding back to life. It may not need a complete new coat of paint even though it looks desperate.
If you don’t wash your siding, you won’t know if it needs to be painted. It is hard to wash the siding as efficiently and safely as possible without damaging it. The best method will depend on what type of siding you have and how difficult it is to clean.
Hand washing is the most labor-intensive, but thorough, way to wash siding of all types, including vinyl and wood. You can use soap, water, and a soft-bristle nylon brush attached to a pole.
To hand wash siding, mix TSP or another non-phosphate substitute and water according to the label instructions. Make sure the bucket is large enough for the brush to fit in. Next, wear rubber gloves and other protective gear as recommended by the detergent label. Scrub the siding from the top. Work in areas approximately 20 feet across and up to the maximum height of the wall. Use the shade if possible.
After each section is completed, rinse with clean water. For typical lap siding, scrub in line with the siding panels.
It is not an easy job to scrub a house by hand. You will feel more like you’re in an exercise training session the larger your house is. Be sure to follow ladder safety precautions if your home has more than one level.
Power washing your siding with a pressure washer can make it much more manageable. However, this is only possible if the siding is made of vinyl, steel or aluminum. You must be careful to not damage the siding or its finish. A pressure washer can even dent aluminum siding. It can also peel off any siding. Pressure washing can be an alternative to hand scrubbing but it is still a good option if done correctly.
You should not pressure wash siding made from wood, brick, stucco or painted with paint that contains lead. It can cause paint to peel and erode the surface as well as drive water into the walls.