Vinyl siding is a great exterior cladding material. It has a nice uniform appearance, wears well over time, and is generally easier to maintain than many other types of siding. Unfortunately, just like every other kind of siding, mold and mildew build up over time, requiring frequent cleaning to keep vinyl looking it’s best.
When it comes time to clean your vinyl siding, there are some important things you should know. First things first, vinyl is durable to a point, but not bulletproof. The last thing you want to do is blast away at it with high pressure from a pressure washer. You especially don’t want to pay money to have someone else tear away at your siding using a pressure washer either. You also need to be careful which types of cleaners you use to clean your vinyl siding.
There are recommendations set forth by the Vinyl Siding Institute for proper cleaning of vinyl siding. If you choose to do it yourself, be sure to follow their recommendations here. You can find all types of different cleaners for pressure washing vinyl siding, so be sure you use the right ones. If you’re hiring a pressure washing company to clean vinyl siding, make sure they know and follow these recommendations.
A competent pressure washing company should know the right cleaners to use on your vinyl siding, and should never use high pressure. High pressure washing of vinyl siding forces water underneath the siding, which can cause very expensive unseen damage to your home. High pressure can also cause permanent scarring on the surface of your vinyl siding.
Over time, vinyl siding builds up an oxidized layer on it’s surface. Using high pressure to clean it will remove some of the oxidized layer, and leave permanent marks that can be extremely expensive to remove. In some cases, they may only be able to be blended with the rest of the surface, because complete removal is not always possible.
Understand that many of the cleaners recommended for cleaning vinyl siding can be dangerous to handle, and could cause damage if used improperly. Make sure to test a small area before applying any cleaning solutions to your vinyl, as some could cause serious discoloration or other damage to the surface. Also make sure you are using the proper dilution ratios for any vinyl siding cleaners you might attempt to use.
Cleaning the exterior of your home can be a time consuming task. Especially if you don’t have professional equipment, processes, and knowledge to get the job done quickly. Some homeowners take on the task of pressure washing their vinyl siding, only to find they’ve wasted an entire weekend and haven’t completed the job! If you decide to do it yourself, be sure to plan ahead. Make sure you know your equipment and what it’s capable of.
Our recommendation for pressure washing vinyl siding is to use ultra low pressure cleaning methods, with the right detergents to safely clean your vinyl siding. Hiring a professional who understands the ins and outs of proper vinyl siding cleaning will save you a lot of headaches. Choosing the wrong one could cause you many more. High pressure and improper methods can dislodge loose vinyl siding, scar the surface, force water into the wrong places, and cause very costly damage to your home. NOT ALL “professional” pressure washing companies are the same.
Using our Ultrasoft, ultra safe cleaning methods, we are able to safely clean vinyl siding for Jacksonville, Florida residents. Our processes use the right cleaners as recommended by vinyl siding manufacturers, with safe low pressure cleaning. With our professional equipment, we can quickly and efficiently clean your vinyl siding. We restore your curb appeal while you enjoy your free time. For a free vinyl siding pressure washing quote, contact us today.