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How To Clean Your Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is the most popular form of outside protection for a home, offering outstanding durability and resistance to the problems that plague brick and wooden exteriors. The advantages of vinyl are numerous. However, this material is still vulnerable to one of the most common problems: dirt that collects over time. Cleaning your home is an easy task that requires common items found around your home, or at most, a pressure washer that can be rented from any home improvement store. Learning how to clean your own home's exterior will help you maintain curb appeal for years to come.
Step 1: Assemble Your Siding Cleaning Tools
You've already got 99% of the tools you need to successfully clean your exterior. The only thing that you might not have handy is a pressure washer, which can be rented easily. For mildly dirty vinyl, you will only need a few tools:
A long-handled cleaning tool. A long brush or mop works well here. If needed, you can also attach a cloth to a broom. RV brushes are excellent for two-story homes. A hose, preferably with a fair degree of pressure. This can also be replaced by a pressure washer if you choose to rent one. A bucket of five gallons or so for mixing your cleaning solution.A bit of detergent. Laundry soap works well.
Step 2: Prepare The Exterior
Walk around the entire perimeter of your home and ensure that all electrical outlets are unplugged, and preferably temporarily turned off. As you do this, make sure that anything which might be damaged by a stream of water is sufficiently far away so that it won't be hit. You are going to be spraying down the entire outside with water in the next step, so any toys or yard furniture that won't benefit from the cleaning should be moved a safe distance away. Leave more room if you intend to power wash.
Step 3: Hose Down The Siding And Scrub
Start working your way around your home, hosing down three to five-foot sections of siding as you go. You want to ensure that each area is clean before you move on, achieving a total clean by the time you've made a full circuit. Start by simply rinsing the siding. If that doesn't work, use a mild detergent solution with a soft brush or cloth. Scrub gently, being careful not to scratch. If that still doesn't do the trick, move on to the power washing. Normally, scrubbing will be more than enough.
In most cases, that's all it takes. Just go around your home once with the hose or the detergent, and you'll enjoy an instant boost in curb appeal.
Special Notes: Using A Pressure Washer
If you do choose to power wash your siding, you'll have to be a little careful with your technique. Ensure that you do not get too much water underneath the siding, which could cause a leak into your home. To achieve this, maintain a reasonable distance from your home and ensure that you are not angling the spray underneath the siding. Otherwise, using a pressure washer to clean your vinyl is a practical and easy solution.
Special Notes: Dealing With Mold And Mildew
Although vinyl siding is more resistant to mold and mildew than most other types of home coverings, it can still succumb to them over time. To combat this problem, simply add some liquid laundry bleach to the solution of detergent and water. You might need to do some scrubbing, but eventually you'll beat the mold and mildew and have clean vinyl again.
All of these techniques are simple and fast, almost always doable in half a day or less. They become easier the more frequently you clean the vinyl, as there is less chance for dirt and plant debris to accumulate. Frequent washing will help keep your home in top shape, ensuring that you get that clean and well-maintained look you've been working for.
About the Author
Chris Harmen writes about Naperville siding for Opal Enterprises. Opal Enterprises offers Alside vinyl siding exclusively in order to provide the highest quality siding to Hinsdale residents.
Zinger 25 SB Travel Trailer @ Couchs Campers RV an Ohio RV Dealer with RV Loans Indiana RV
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