How to Clean Vinyl Siding With a Pressure Washer
Pressure washers are incredibly versatile and can be used to clean a variety of surfaces both in residential and commercial settings.
One of the most popular residential surfaces that homeowners will have cleaned either on their own or with the help of a pressure washing business, is the vinyl siding that can be found on many run of the mill houses.
Gone are the times when you would see people out with their ladders, scrub brushes and buckets of soapy water trying to properly clean the exterior of their homes. Pressure washers allow for efficient, effective and high quality vinyl siding cleaning jobs to be completed with ease.
Some houses may have different types of siding, or will have a mainly brick exterior, but many will be equipped with long strips of plastic vinyl siding that imitates wood paneling and serves to provide weatherproofing
Let’s discuss the ins and outs of vinyl siding pressure washing for our curious readers, DIY homeowners, and pressure washing business owners.
Find out why, when, and most importantly how to clean vinyl sidings with a pressure washer.
Why Should I Clean Vinyl Siding With A Pressure Washer?
The exterior of a house will have a significant effect on its relative curb appeal, which also contributes directly to the resale value of a house whenever it ends up being put on the real estate market for sale.
It is important to stay on top of the cleaning of vinyl siding not only for the aesthetics, but also to maintain the structural integrity, as these vinyl siding pieces help to weatherproof houses.
Allowing the siding of a house to take on excessive dirt and grime and develop harmful stains, can actually lead to the plastic itself degrading and eventually breaking apart.
This can become a real problem as it will allow air and moisture to get through the siding pieces, and into the foundation of the house.
Pressure washing business owners should be prepared to take on a high number of jobs that involve cleaning homeowner’s vinyl siding. This will surely be a common household surface that brings in a significant amount of business for pressure washing services.
As mentioned, maintaining the integrity of vinyl siding is an important part of both aesthetics and structural aspects.
How To Clean Vinyl Siding With A Pressure Washer?
It may seem like a straightforward process, however there are some important steps to take and techniques/tips to consider when taking on a vinyl cleaning job.
Let’s do a brief step-by-step guide for how to clean vinyl sidings with a pressure washer.
1. Mix Your Pressure Washing Detergent
Although hot water alone can be fairly effective on soiled surfaces, adding soap to your cleaning mixture, or better still adding pressure washer detergent, will ensure that your solution provides optimal cleaning effectiveness.
Consider the extent of staining on the vinyl sidings and determine a cleaning solution that will provide the appropriate cleaning power. Make sure that whatever you end up choosing will not damage or otherwise negatively affect the vinyl siding strips.
2. Apply Your Detergent Solution
Now that you have put together your pressure washing detergent solution, it is time to apply it to the vinyl sidings. Using your pressure washing wand and a fairly low pressure setting, generously apply the detergent with nice even, overlapping strokes. In order to prevent streaking, start from the bottom and work your way upwards.
3. Use A Brush For Bad Spots
When evaluating the state of the vinyl sidings to be pressure washed, make note of any areas that seem to be particularly badly stained and in need of extra attention. Use a brush that can attach to the end of the pressure washer wand in order to loosen up thick dirt and grime.
4. Let Your Solution Sink In Before Rinsing
It is important to give your cleaning solution a few minutes to sink into the surface and take action on the stains before rinsing it off. If the surface you are working on is in direct sunlight, be careful not to let it dry onto the siding, or else it may break down chemically and not work as intended.
5. Clean The Siding
Now it is time to clean your siding! When you begin spraying, start from a distance and use a lower pressure nozzle or spray setting. Find a distance that allows you to achieve an effective and efficient clean while preventing surface damage.
When rinsing, start at the top and work downwards in order to ensure the entire area is soap-free at the end. Keep the angle of the wand pointing down as much as possible to avoid the spray going up under the pieces of horizontal siding.
Be extra careful not to spray directly at the eaves, vents or light fixtures as these are often made of light, easily damaged tin or other metal.
How Often Should I Clean Vinyl Siding?
It is commonly recommended to clean vinyl sidings at least once a year.
If the building is located in a high traffic spot or other area that takes on a lot of dust and grime, multiple cleanings in a calendar year may be necessary.
Conclusion
Vinyl sidings are one of the most common surfaces that homeowners will hire pressure washing businesses to have cleaned.
We have discussed why it is important to maintain their integrity from both an aesthetic and structural standpoint, as well as provided a step-by-step guide for how to clean vinyl sidings with a pressure washer.
Pressure washing business owners both new and experienced should be prepared to take on a lot of these jobs, especially in high volume residential areas.