Most homes should be power washed a minimum of once a year. Power Washing your siding will actually extend the life of it so it won't need repairs and you won't need to replace it as often. It also makes your home look as good as new when it's tidy and clean on the exterior.
While power washing is a convenient way to get your siding sparkling clean for summer, the truth is that it can do more harm than good. If you're a novice with this cleaning technique, you can essentially break your exterior—setting you back hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars in repairs.
If you do not have a pressure washer, a hose usually works as a good substitute. Though, a hose might not get rid of all dirt, debris, and stains. Perform vinyl siding pressure washing once a year.
Even if your siding looks as clean as it did the day it was installed, it's best to give it a good wash every couple of years to prevent build-up and keep insects and spiders from building nests or webs in the nooks and crannies.
The answer is: YES, pressure washing absolutely can damage vinyl siding if done incorrectly. We have seen countless homes and buildings that have damaged areas because someone without the proper training has tried to pressure wash their building.
Spray Your Siding Clean
Be careful not to spray directly at eaves, vents or light fixtures. High water pressure can knock out loose windowpanes or break them. Also, keep the angle of the wand pointing down so you don't spray up under the laps of horizontal siding.
For tough spots like paint drips, tar, and pencil and pen marks, use a nonabrasive bathtub cleaner or nylon scrub pad. Use ammonia cleaners or a solution of one part bleach in four parts water to clean mold and mildew stains. (However, never mix ammonia and bleach.) Rinse thoroughly while the siding is still wet.
Experts agree that spring or fall is the best time to pressure or power wash your house. The goal is to avoid cleaning when the temperature is too cold or hot. The best practice is to ensure that you pressure wash your home once per year between March and November when the temperatures are not extreme.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn we can power wash a home in around half an hour to a few hours. There are a number of factors that determine the amount of time a cleaning will require.
It is a super effective way to get rid of stains and mold. Pressure washing allows you to get to those hard to reach places. Cons: If pressure washing is done incorrectly, it can cause damage to your home.
Soft-washing techniques work best for cleaning your home's siding and roof. Pressure washers with soft-washing nozzles risk damaging siding, cracking roof tiles, and breaking glass windows. Soft-washing services, on the other hand, are entirely safe for all exterior home surfaces.
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.
For routine maintenance, Wade says, “It's best to use warm, soapy water (dish or laundry soap). Hot water can damage the siding. But, for extensive residue, mix a general-purpose cleaner or one-part Simple Green Oxy outdoor cleaner and 15-parts water (about one cup per gallon of water) and load in a power washer.
There have been many instances when people have tried to use Dawn dish soap or laundry detergent to create their own pressure washer soap. Although it is possible to use the two in your pressure washer, you risk clogging it if you don't dilute them.
Clean From the Bottom Up
Using the cleaning solution, start power washing at the bottom of the house and work your way up. Working from the top down can cause water and suds to run down the side of the house, making it more likely you'll miss a section.
After pressure washing your house, you have to wait for it to fully dry before you can paint it. This waiting time can be anywhere from 24 hours to 3 days. Pressure washing isn't for beginners. If you're not experienced, the high water pressure can easily damage portions of your house's exterior.
Wash the Vinyl Siding on Your Home
Create a solution using Dawn and warm water to gently clean siding that's covered in dirt, moss, or mold. Coat the siding with the mixture, let it soak, and then hose it off.
General household cleaners such as Lysol are some of the most effective vinyl siding cleaners. They can used to clean tough stains and dirts including those that are caused by bubble gum, ink, crayon, rust, oil, grease, grass, or even soil.
The main difference is that power washing uses highly pressurized steam to do the cleaning while pressure washing just uses unheated tap water, without the help of a heating element.
The answer is yes – you can power wash with just water! However, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when doing this. In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of power washing with water, and we will also give you some tips on how to do it correctly.
If you use too much pressure while power washing, you could punch a hole in vinyl siding, etch concrete, or splinter wood. Avoid damage by starting on the lowest setting, slowly adjusting the pressure on the power washer, and making sure there's sufficient distance between you and the surface you're cleaning.