How to Clean Your Siding
Cleaning up the exterior of your house helps boost its curb appeal, and frequently, its value. Painting your home is a great way to brighten the facade, and cleaning your siding every year will keep your house looking newer for longer.
Stains from dirt, pollen, plants, bugs and bird droppings make siding appear dingy, blotchy or discolored. And mold or mildew growth can permanently stain the exterior of your house if left unattended for too long. So, don’t wait to undertake a deep clean! Here’s how the experts do it:
How to clean vinyl siding
Vinyl siding is relatively low maintenance, but if you give it a good cleaning once a year, you’ll ensure that the exterior of your house looks fresh. Plus you’ll be able to head off major siding replacement by inspecting your house for panels in disrepair. You can likely repair a few broken or cracked siding panels if you find them before water or other elements have seeped through to the structure underneath.
To clean your vinyl siding, be sure and check with your manufacturer. According to the
VINYL SIDING INSTITUTE, some manufacturer’s warranties are voided by the use of certain chemicals or pressure washers. If you do use a pressure washer, use a low setting and follow the equipment instructions.
Use a soft cloth or soft bristled brush to clean problem areas. Spot treat stains or areas of mold with general household cleaners or oxygen bleach. Be aware of your grass and any landscaping near the walls of your house. Cover plants and use environmentally friendly products, as the cleaning solution will run into the grass and plant roots as you rinse.
How to clean James Hardie siding and panels
TruGuard is a preferred installer of James Hardie materials, including siding and panels. According to
JAMES HARDIE maintenance recommendations, remove oil, grease and other organic contaminants with mild liquid dishwashing soap and water. Use a soft cloth and rinse frequently with a garden hose. For mildew, use a soft sponge, a mildew cleaner and the garden hose. Work in small areas, starting from the top to prevent dripping or streaking onto the cleaned section, and don’t allow the soap or mildew cleaner to dry on the siding.
If you use a pressure washer, make sure the water stream doesn’t damage the surface of the siding. Use wide fan tips and keep them a minimum of six feet from the wall at pressures under 1500 psi.
How to clean wood siding
Wood, a natural material, requires more maintenance than Hardie or vinyl siding. However, if properly maintained, you can keep your wood siding looking good for a long time.
Wood is prone to mold and mildew, especially in wet climates. Oxygen bleach will fight mold and mildew buildup without bleaching or discoloring your wood siding. Apply the oxygen bleach (mixed with water), let it soak for 10 – 15 minutes, and then lightly scrub with a soft brush before rinsing with water from a garden hose.
Once the wood siding is cleaned up, you can use a wood brightener to get rid of dark spots and then seal the siding.
Need help?
If your siding needs attention, but you don’t have the time or equipment to perform repairs or replacement, TruGuard’s siding experts will get the job done. We’ll get back to you in one business day.
