Your home’s exterior bears the brunt of the ever-changing weather and harsh outdoor elements. Specifically, your sidings will accumulate dust, dirt, pollen, and muck in just a few months’ time. And without proper vinyl siding maintenance, you’re looking at the possibility of brewing mold and mildew on your home cladding.
But fret not – here at Boelter Is Better, we’re always to the rescue in keeping your home’s exterior in its best shape. Below, discussed some vinyl siding care tips so you can maintain your sidings and get the most out of your exterior for years. Keep reading to see what you should and shouldn’t do!
8 vinyl siding maintenance tips to remember
If keeping your sidings clean is on your home improvement list, here are some tips to get you started:
1. Repair cracks and holes first
Before you start to clean vinyl siding, the first thing you have to do is patch up holes and repair cracks. These gaps will let water seep through your walls, which can lead to mold and rot, which will be more expensive to fix later on.
In most cases, you can easily caulk small holes on your own. However, if there are too many gaps to seal, you should consider calling a professional siding installer to do it for you. This way, you can avoid causing more damage to your exterior, and you’ll be assured of quality work.
2. Be careful when cleaning with a pressure washer
Although pressure washing your siding seems to be a quick fix for thick layers of dirt, you need to be extra careful to avoid damage.
First of all, you should only use low or moderate setting to prevent damaging the siding material. You should also spray it perpendicular to your home’s exterior, so the water won’t get behind the siding.
This will prevent streaking and avoid leaks on your walls, especially if you already have old exteriors. And if you have painted vinyl siding, a lower pressure washer setting will prevent it from being accidentally stripped.
You can also use a garden hose to rinse your home’s vinyl siding if you’re worried about the potential damage pressure washers could cause.
3. Give it a good scrub instead
Aside from using a pressure washer, you can also give your sidings a good brush to remove the dirt. The good thing is that vinyl siding is very easy to clean with a long-handled soft bristle brush so that you can reach the topmost part of your exterior. Just make sure that you start at the bottom and work your way up.
After that, you just have to wipe the siding with a soft cloth to prevent water streaks when it dries. Also, you should clean away any residue as you brush so it won’t pool and dry up on certain spots.
Aside from preventing damage to your exterior, manual cleaning can also save you gallons of water compared to pressure washing.
4. Consider repainting and refinishing
Regular cleanings can make your vinyl siding’s original color last for years. However, if yours has already faded or you want to spruce up your exterior’s theme, you can consider painting or refinishing it.
Before painting, make sure your sidings are clean and dry. Also, you should check if your exterior still has an active manufacturer warranty since painting it will void your coverage. Otherwise, you can paint your siding with the color of your choosing!
Aside from that, you should use the proper paint, one with urethane and acrylic resins, since these stick to vinyl really well. Above all, avoid dark colors if you don’t want your exterior to absorb too much heat.
5. Check the flow of your gutters and downspouts
It’s also important to ensure that your gutters and downspouts are directed away from your exterior walls. This will prevent rainwater or melted ice from damaging the siding material and causing leaks on your walls.
In addition, your gutter should be sloped correctly to help water flow toward the downspouts, which should be positioned a few feet away from your siding and foundation.
If you want to check if your gutters and downspouts are installed properly, you can contact a roofing, siding, and windows expert like Boelter Is Better. Our licensed technicians will inspect your exterior to ensure that your sidings are safe from potential water damage.
6. Position your grill away from the siding
As durable as vinyl is, it’s not invincible to the heat of open flames. So, if you have a grill or any heat-producing appliance placed against your siding, you should move it at least 10 feet away.
This way, you can prevent premature damage on your vinyl and reduce the risk of your exterior catching fire. You should do the same thing if you have wood siding, which is also less tolerant to open flames.
Aside from open-flame appliances, you should also keep wood piles away from your siding. This is to prevent insect pests from using it as a hideout or pathway to invade your home. Also, you should trim surrounding vegetation and remove vines that may trap moisture on your exterior walls.
7. Steer clear of harsh cleaning chemicals
Mild soap cleans your siding fairly well, so there’s no need to apply harsh detergents or cleaning agents on your home’s exterior.
The likes of undiluted bleach or grease removers are too abrasive and may strip off the outer layer of your vinyl siding. Worse, it can cause irreparable damage to the siding’s color and durability.
At the same time, avoid using tough scrubbers like steel wool, as this will scrape and scratch the vinyl material quite easily. Instead, you should use a microfiber cloth or a soft-bristled brush if you need to remove deep-seated dirt.
8. Replace heavily damaged sections
As part of your regular maintenance, you should also replace damaged sections of your siding. This will prevent mold and rot from spreading further, saving you a lot of money on a full exterior replacement.
You can perform the replacement on your own or leave the job to a professional vinyl siding installer in Mankato. This way, you’ll get high-quality siding replacements that will last long.
However, if the damage is already extensive, professionals like us might recommend a full replacement to restore your home’s curb appeal and functionality.
Planning to upgrade your home’s siding? Contact Boelter is Better today!
If you’re planning to upgrade or replace your vinyl siding, Boelter Is Better is the trusted choice in Mankato, MN. We’ve been providing professional exterior services in Southern Minnesota for 30+ years, so your home will be in good hands.
We also provide affordable financing options so that you can get brand-new siding without the hefty upfront cost. In addition, we offer the best industry warranties and leading brands made to last for decades.
If you want to know more or you’re interested in a free quote, feel free to contact us today! Our project advisor will give you a quick walk-through, and we can also schedule a site visit to give you a more accurate estimate!
