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Although vinyl siding doesn’t rot or wear in the same way as wood, it can crack or puncture. You can keep your siding in good shape by trimming shrubbery and trees away from the house so they don’t mar the material. If a section does become badly damaged, you’ll have to get new siding.
Heavy winds can sometimes pull vinyl siding off a house, so be sure it is firmly attached or consider other options if you’re in hurricane or tornado country.
Use a stiff bristle brush and soapy water to scrub vinyl siding, then rinse with clear water.
To keep your vinyl siding looking good, clean it once a year or so. You’ll need a hose, a sponge, a stiff-bristle brush, a bucket, and a mild detergent such as laundry soap or a TSP substitute. After scrubbing the surface, rinse it with clear water. You may want to use a long-handled car-wash brush to easily extend your reach, or use a high-pressure hose if you have grime built up from air pollution and exhaust. Be sure to cover nearby plants with plastic tarps.
Vinyl color is not a surface coating but permeates the material, so the color won’t wear away. If you don’t like the color of your vinyl siding, you can paint it. Two coats of 100% acrylic latex paint are recommended for a sound finish. But keep in mind that if you do paint your siding, you will need to repaint it periodically, the same way that board siding has to be.
How do I wash vinyl siding?
Wash vinyl siding with a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled, soft bristle brush. For textured surfaces, use only a soft bristle brush to keep the grooves in the texture stain-free. For best results, start at the bottom of the house and work up and rinse the cleaning solution completely before it dries. If your house has brick facing, cover the brick so that it is not affected by the runoff.
How can I protect vinyl siding from discoloration?
Cover vinyl siding when using stains, sealants, and wet concrete as part of other home renovation projects. Certain insecticides or herbicides can potentially stain vinyl siding. Consult the product labels and/or the insecticide or herbicide manufacturer before applying.
How does heat affect vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding is made from organic materials and can melt when exposed to a significant heat source. Vinyl is a combustible material, but will not readily ignite unless exposed to flames from an existing fire. Home and building owners with all types of siding should always take precautions to keep heat sources such as barbeque grills, and readily ignitable materials such as dry leaves, mulch, and trash away from the structure.
Home Pride Contractors is a contracting company that is dedicated to helping homeowners with all aspects of the exterior of their home. If you are in need of some assistance please contact our office for more information.