best way to clean vinyl siding with a pressure washer

Even low-maintenance vinyl siding requires a good cleaning at least once a year, more often if you live by a busy road or an open, dusty field. Develop a plan of action using a pressure washer to clean the exterior of your entire home in just one day. Before using the pressure washer, take a quick walk around the house to make sure that the siding is all intact and no pieces of vinyl have become loose. Check for cracks in the siding that water might penetrate and identify how the lengths of siding on long walls overlap. Make sure all of your windows are shut and check to see that caulking and glazing on those windows is in good condition so that water doesn’t seep in. Soaking the soil in the garden beds around the edge of your house will help to dilute any chemicals that are in the soap that you will use, so that they aren’t absorbed as easily by plants. Pour multi-use soap that is formulated for pressure washers into the reservoir. Check the packaging to make sure the soap is safe for siding, windows and sidewalks.
Install the soap tip to the end of your pressure washing wand. The soap tip provides a lower pressure blast at a wider angle (60-degrees), which will allow the volume of soap to be distributed with wider coverage across the vinyl siding. Turn on the pressure washer. As you begin to initiate the wand, avoid pointing up and refrain from directing the spray where the vinyl lengths overlap. If you stream water upwards or between the laps in siding, the water is likely to force behind the vinyl panels, penetrating the insulation. It is best to use a tall ladder when spraying. If water is trapped behind the siding, it doesn’t dry easily and leads to water damage. The same can be said when you target the spray into corners, be wary of how the water is impacting the crevices where the boards end. These areas will still get misted by off-spray as you clean surrounding areas, but plan to wipe them clean with a dry towel. Use the soapy spray to cover the vinyl siding, keeping the tip of the wand at a 45-degree angle to the window and trim.
Aiming the wand at that angle will help to lift and remove dirt from beneath more effectively than blasting it straight on. You will find that the soap may run low every few minutes. Keep an eye on its level so that you can turn off the pressure washer and refill periodically as you make your way around the perimeter of your home. Use the depleted reservoir on as an opportunity to switch nozzle tips (refer to step 5) and rinse the area that you just applied soap to before the soap dries on the siding. Turn off the pressure washer, and switch the tip on the wand to a general-use tip. A tip that delivers a 15-20 degree angle will provide a stronger pressure stream to effectively remove soap on the surface and dirt that has been loosened by the soap. Follow the same spray technique. Be careful not to blast upwards against the vinyl or into the corners, now that the pressure is stronger, the washer can do more damage. Use a dry towel to wipe down residue on the inner and outer corners of the siding.
This also helps to absorb extra moisture in those sensitive areas that are more susceptible to water damage.Roofing & Siding > How To: Clean Vinyl Siding Vinyl siding is a durable, versatile, and resilient building material, but it does require some routine care and cleaning. The growing popularity of vinyl siding is indisputable. Indeed, U.S. Census Bureau statistics indicate that vinyl siding has been the leading exterior cladding in the U.S. since 1995. Its popularity shows no sign of waning; best vacuum cleaner suction powerin 2011, 33% of new single-family homes sold in the U.S. were sided in the material. carpet cleaning coupons printableStill, that doesn’t mean homeowners know how to clean vinyl siding—and keep it clean.carpet cleaning companies pittsburgh pa
Because it is an exterior product, vinyl siding can accumulate a host of dirt, grime, and stains on account of things like pollen, bird and insect droppings, spider webs and rust. In shady, moist areas, mold and mildew can grow, and vinyl is also vulnerable to discoloring effects from insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. In addition, vinyl siding’s finish may be marred by a number of commonly used household maintenance products, including caulking, driveway sealant, tar, motor oil and paint.cleaning pool surface stains Luckily, cleaning vinyl siding is a fairly easy job, and there are a wide variety of products to help remove typical stains. pool cleaning fair oaks caRead on, and we’ll show you how to clean vinyl siding the right way.good carpet cleaners at walmart
According to the Vinyl Siding Institute, the best way is to use a soft cloth or an ordinary long-handled, soft-bristle brush. To prevent streaking, start at the bottom and work up towards the top of the house. When cleaning vinyl siding, remember to thoroughly rinse away any residue as you go. Some good vinyl sider cleaner solutions include: • 70% water, 30% white vinegar makes a great all-purpose vinyl siding cleaner that removes light mold and mildew stains. • For a stronger solution, mix together one-third cup powdered laundry detergent, two-thirds cup powdered household cleaner, one quart liquid laundry bleach and one gallon of water. • If you are concerned about landscaping, use a vinyl siding cleaner solution comprised of one gallon of water mixed with one cup oxygen bleach in a bucket. The oxygen bleach will clean the vinyl without damaging your landscaping. • Simple Green offers an environmentally friendly cleanser that is specially formulated for use on vinyl and aluminum siding, stucco, terra cotta roof tiles and painted wood.
The non-toxic biodegradable concentrate can be used manually or with pressure washers. • General household cleansers (e.g., Fantastik, Murphy’s Oil Soap, Windex and Lysol) can be used on tough dirt and stains, and including those created by top soil, grass, grease, oil, rust, crayon, ink and bubble gum. Rust stains may be removed using products designed for this purpose (e.g., Super Iron Out and Instant Rust Out). Cleaning vinyl siding is even easier with a pressure washer, although some manufacturers advise against it, and other manufacturers recommend a limited amount of pressure. If you’re not sure how to clean vinyl siding with a pressure washer, start by ensuring that the stream is at eye level and pointed straight at the siding, not at an angle. That way, you won’t drive water behind the siding. Use caution when using a pressure washer around openings like windows, doors, and plumbing connections. Avoid using any vinyl siding cleaners that contain organic solvents, undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover, or furniture polish or cleaners.