Over time vinyl siding has become more commonplace in the construction business for both homes and office buildings. Its unique structure, durability, versatility, and seemingly endless array of color options keeps this product a prominent contender in the marketplace for anyone looking to build or upgrade the outer layer of their property. Useful for both new construction and remodeling projects, vinyl siding can provide a solid choice for almost any building in endless settings.
Among the many different available options to beautify your home, vinyl siding is one of the few that won’t fade, can be treated for keeping insects at bay, and is extremely durable. Lasting virtually a lifetime, vinyl siding not only presents a cost friendly option compared to other building materials available but knowing that it will protect your home from the elements is also beneficial. Barring any natural disasters, vinyl siding should withstand normal wear from storms, wind, rain, hail, and any other elements with relative ease.
While there have been some issues with regards to buckling, cracking, color fading, or insulation problems in the past, these are no longer a problem. Technological advances in both the construction and implementation phases of siding have served to eliminate many of the factors associated with causing red flags for homeowners. New materials and installation methods have helped to make vinyl siding a prevalent and safe option for buyers today. However, the need for routine maintenance and cleaning remains. As with any building construction material, inspections and cleaning can help to extend the life and look of a product.
Consider the following in regards to the vinyl siding of your home or business – even those who may currently occupy a brick home. Another solid choice, often brick homes still have areas of vinyl siding associated with their construction. The eaves, overhangs, and trim for brick and block homes are typically made up of vinyl siding. These areas should be given the same amount of proper care and consideration as an entire home would receive.
Frequency
Whether considering routine cleaning for an entire home or just one of the areas located on a brick property, homeowners need to know how often they should consider an inspection and cleaning.
Marketed as a low maintenance option for property owners, vinyl siding does live up to its name. While each and every home will be different, based on the location, sun, amount of elemental exposure – including rainfall amounts – and noticeable mold or mildew, an annual inspection is recommended along with cleaning any areas in need. While the cleaning methods may differ, depending on the size and location of the dirty spots, completing a once a year review for the outside of your home does have its benefits.
General Cleaning
There are a number of ways to clean vinyl siding but one of the easiest involves just two ingredients. A water and vinegar solution mixed together at a proportionate 70-30 split can be increasingly effective for making vinyl siding look like new. If the area in need of cleaning is small, then this method, often applied using a soft cloth or even a bristled brush can help.
Commercial products also exist in the marketplace but careful attention should be given to the ingredients and materials applied. Be sure to know the regulations from your vinyl siding manufacturer and what cleaning solutions have been approved before going all in on any project. If in doubt, consider applying a small amount in an inconspicuous place to determine if there will be any ill side effects from administering whatever cleaning solution you have available.
Often, water and a little light scrubbing will serve to clean up any minor spots or blemishes that may accumulate on the siding over time. For deeper stains or a bi-annual deep cleaning, pressure washing should help.
Pressure Washing
Using a pressure washer on your vinyl siding can often restore any dirty areas to their like new shine. Whether you are cleaning an entire outer portion of a home or just the eaves and overhangs – making sure you pressure wash correctly can save you time while avoiding the potential for any problems later.
As with all home improvement projects, safety is a critical issue. While some areas of your home may be easily accessed from the ground, often the upper reaches of a property can only be reached via a ladder. If you’re already uncomfortable or uneasy about operating a ladder, just imagine the risk involved when you calculate in the additional task of running a pressure washer.
Additionally, special care and considerations should be given to how the operator goes about spraying the home. Water should be dispensed from eye level to keep the spray in line with the siding and not pushing up from underneath. If water gets trapped between the siding then mold and mildew may begin to appear and you wouldn’t want to create the exact same thing which you may be trying to remove by improper execution.
To clean vinyl siding with a pressure washer is sometimes the best available method. As stated, depending on the size and area in need of cleaning, this could significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to make an impact on the structure.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, quality service has been our priority in Denver and the surrounding area for years as we handle all roofing needs and a variety of other construction projects. Arvada Roofing and Construction has been completing roof installations, evaluations, and other exterior household projects or associated services for nearly two decades. Their highly trained experts can provide an estimate on any repair, remodel, or now construction project, if needed, as well as any inspection you wish to have completed. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are concerned about the effectiveness of your roof or already have an issue, we are here to help. Our certified and extremely knowledgeable staff is available to handle any construction or roofing job and provide a variety of other services such as seamless guttering systems, or any potential damage analysis thought to be caused by severe weather for the purposes of insurance reporting. Contact us today online or call 303-432-2753 for your free estimate on any of the above mentioned projects!