Yes you can pressure wash vinyl siding however you must do it on a low pressure setting or you could damage the planks. Should be done about every other summer possibly more often if you have a problem with mold or algae growth. A simple solution a mild soap and vinegar will remove most stains.
Do not use pressure on vinyl siding. It's a very good way to blow holes in it if the siding is older/oxidized. If your' PW has a soap injector, use it to inject a bleach/soap solution onto the siding with a soap nozzle, let sit a few minutes then rinse off.
While pressure washers crush hard to get stains, soft washing is the silent destroyer of algae, mold, and other organic build-ups/stains you might see on your roof or siding. Soft washing is the beneficiary of combining cleaning chemicals and lightly spraying the surface after the surfactants do their job.
An excellent general-purpose vinyl siding cleaner is a mix of 2-parts water to 1-part white vinegar. This solution will remove dirt, grime, and light mold, and mildew stains.
When pressure washers are used on high pressure, wood and other surfaces can be damaged. Etching of the siding or worse injection of water into the building envelope can also occur. are must be taken not to spray under siding, into vents of other penetrations of areas where water will penetrate.
Items like steel wool, wire brushes and paint scarper can leave permanent scratches, discoloration and even puncture wounds in your vinyl siding and should be avoided when trying to clean a home's exterior.
Cons: Potential damage: In inexperienced hands, a pressure washer can cause damage to your car's paint, trim, or delicate parts. High-pressure water can strip away protective coatings and even force water into vulnerable areas, leading to rust or electrical issues.
Can you use Dawn to clean vinyl siding? As long as you dilute this dishwashing detergent in warm water, you can use it to clean your siding. Dawn and similar dishwashing soaps are able to eliminate greasy stains, dirt and other debris without causing damage to your siding.
Insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can potentially cause discoloration to your vinyl siding as well. Commonly used household maintenance products like caulking, driveway sealant, tar, motor oil and paint can all potentially damage your vinyl siding.
Mix one cup of bleach and 10 cups of water and put it in the spray bottle. Spritz the mixture on all areas with mold and mildew from top to bottom. Use a long brush or ladder to reach high areas of your siding, scrub away, then rinse with a hose. Rinsing will make deep cleaning with the pressure washer more effective.
We recommend cleaning your siding once a year to avoid build up and keep it looking its best. CertainTeed siding products are easy to clean and easy to upkeep. Check out the High-to-Low Maintenance Makeover and learn more about the benefits of low-maintenance.
Instead of relying on high pressure to blast away dirt and grime, soft washing uses a combination of low-pressure power washing and cleaning solutions to clean surfaces. These solutions settle in the layers of dirt, eating them away from the inside. The cleaners then use low-pressure power washers to rinse the surface.
To clean your siding without a pressure washer, you're going to need a brush, some TSP (trisodium phosphate--it can be found in most hardware stores), a bucket, a hose, water, a ladder, and plenty of elbow grease.
Vinyl siding can withstand a powerful gas pressure washer (2,500-3,000 psi). Aluminum, stucco or soft-grain wood homes will do better with a less powerful washer (about 1,200-1,500 psi). Determine whether you will rent or buy your machine.
30 Seconds Ready To Use Outdoor Cleaner is made from a combination of ingredients, with the active ingredient being Sodium Hypochlorite. What happens when you apply the product is that it works immediately on any organics by emulsifying the growth.
A pressure washer can quickly ruin vinyl siding by cracking it with a high-pressure stream of water, so it's necessary to know which pressure level and nozzle to use. Starting low and gently working your way up is the safest bet. Never start off on the highest pressure setting.
Warping and buckling are both problems associated with vinyl siding, these issues only occur when the siding is not installed correctly. Vinyl siding expands and contracts as the outside temperature changes. In the summer, when temperatures are high, vinyl expands.
Vinyl siding will generally last about 30 to 40 years with semi-frequent cleaning and minor repairs. Over time, direct sunlight can cause the vinyl siding to fade, stiffen, and crack, so it's a good idea to paint the vinyl siding to protect it from UV radiation.
Cleaning Vinyl Siding
You can make your own cleaning solution by mixing water and white vinegar, or water and oxygen bleach. These are natural and safe options that can get rid of light mold and mildew stains without hurting your plants or the earth.
It's the fact that the Platinum product is concentrated, and delivers more of the key grease-fighting, colorless ingredients called “surfactants."
Water And Vinegar Solution + Some Elbow Grease. 30% white vinegar mixed with 70% water, makes a great all-purpose vinyl siding cleaner that will remove light mold and mildew stains. If your mold is not budging a stronger cleaning solution might be needed.
Winter: Although power washing in winter is possible, we don't recommend it in extreme cold or snow. However, we can power wash on warmer days or during breaks in the weather.
This process could be harmful to your water supply or pump. When considering a power washing company, we always recommend that you ask if they will need access to your water supply. The answer is almost always yes.