Pressure Washing: Cleaning Vinyl Siding

When you first looked at your new vinyl siding you probably thought that it was set for life. Possibly the salesman even told you that your cleaning days were over, and you’ll never have to paint it. Yes, that’s true, and your house was beautiful. However anything that sits under the sun day after day during cold winters and hot summers will get dirty and need to be cleaned.

That goes for your vinyl siding as well and there are a couple of options to get the job done. The first is a bucket, garden hose, and a good deal of elbow grease. It won’t be easy, but it is possible especially if you live in a one-story home. There is an easier way and one you can do yourself, but that involves pressure washing and if you’ve never used a pressure washer, be careful.

When the person at the end of the washer uses too little pressure, it simply   doesn’t work. Too much pressure could cause problems by forcing water through the siding’s seams. You’ll get the best use of your time and money and at the same time protect your home’s siding, by hiring an expert to do the job. The professional will know the correct cleaning products to use and the proper pressure that will not cause damage to your home.

You’ll still need to know the types of cleaners that will cut through the dirt and grime. Before you even begin, you should prepare the area and remove or cover anything movable like electric outlets or fixtures. Cover your plants for their protection as well.

Types of cleaning products: If you suspect mildew or mold, spot clean with your household bleach; to protect your plants, use oxygen bleach; oxalic acid on copper stains; plain old soap and water, for your general cleaning; and the good old standby, vinegar solutions will solve the problems of chemicals in your garden. Whatever cleaning solutions you use, clean a small area before tackling the entire job.

Experts advise cleaning from the bottom up and that will prevent streaking. If you have textured siding, use a soft-bristled brush that will help clean the grooves and it won’t scratch your siding.
Don’t be too discouraged when you realize that your home needs a good cleaning. A professional will easily keep the siding on your home in its original condition and have them come back year after year. Your home will have the curb appeal every neighborhood desires.

Stanley Window Care specializes in Orange County pressure washing, OC power washing and Orange County window cleaners.

Pressure Washing Suggestions

Whether you’re doing the job yourself, or you plan on hiring a professional to do the work for you, you should still have some basic knowledge of pressure washing. You shouldn’t just buy or rent a pressure washer and start spraying. You need to take precautions as you prepare to spray.
If your house has vinyl siding, brick or stone, you should caulk those areas that have cracks in the siding. Otherwise the water seeps into the wall and may cause mold, then you’ll have bigger problems. Whatever product you use to fill in the areas, let the patching dry for at least one week before you start pressure washing.

Next take steps to protect the landscaping by covering your plants and flowers with a tarp. Be sure your windows are closed, but that’s an obvious suggestion, and don’t ever spray the water directly onto the windows.

Use the proper detergent approved for pressure washing. When you start on your house, start at the bottom and work your way to the top with the detergent. Do one area at a time because you don’t want the detergent to dry. As you spray off the detergent, start at the top and work your way down.

Before you start on the garage floor, the cement or brick driveway, patch all the cracks with the proper filling, and again let it try and settle for an entire week. Follow the same steps as we mentioned above.
If you’re doing the job yourself and have to rent the machine, find out the proper machine for the job at hand. You won’t need the most powerful machine to do simple jobs around your home. Smaller and easier to handle machines will be the best for your job.

When you hire the professionals, try to find one who knows what he is doing. Pressure washers can do a lot of damage if not used properly. References are the best bet when making your choice so ask them for references before they start.

When you see the job that pressure washers accomplish, you’ll want to use them regularly before the dirt, dust, and oil spilled on the surfaces around your home cause permanent damage. Be sure to use the proper equipment to protect yourself and others. Things like eye protectors, plastic tarps, gloves and the correct cleaning products that are made for the pressure washers. Remember pressure washers are not toys and shouldn’t be used by children.

Stanley Window Cleaning specializes in Orange County power washing, Orange County power washing equipment, and Orange County pressure washing.

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