Pressure Washing and Vinyl Siding
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.
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.
The power of pressure washing can result in holes in your siding, breaking off vinyl panels, and more. When you're using a pressure washer, you're likely shooting water up toward the top of your house.
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.
How often should I clean vinyl siding? 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.
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. This will prevent the vinyl siding from buckling under pressure.
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.
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.
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.
Krud Kutter House and Siding Pressure Washing Concentrate
This cleaner is excellent for removing grime, mold, mildew, and other stains from vinyl siding.
Damage. Vinyl siding can be dented somewhat easily by hail, rocks, and any flying objects (weather related or non weather related). Dents and chips can make your home look old and unflattering. If your vinyl siding has collected years of damage and looks unsightly, it may be time for an inspection and replacement.
Homemade Cleaning Solutions
This will help you remove dirt and grime without scratching or damaging the actual siding. Some good cleaning solutions include: Mix 70 percent water and 30 percent white vinegar together to make a good all-purpose cleaner that's easy on vinyl.
Dark, moist places are ideal for mold growth, so trimming trees and shrubs and providing as much direct sunlight as possible on the siding helps prevent mold growth.
Armor All® Protectants are ideal for vinyl, and can help to prevent discoloration and fading on these surfaces.
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.
Using Soap Means Less Pressure and Less Damage To Your Home.
If the stream of water is too strong, it can damage stucco, masonry, wood and vinyl siding and can also penetrate into your home's structure. Pressure washing with high pressure also routinely damages window screens, decks and exterior lighting.
The majority of siding cleaning takes place in the spring although any time of year the temperature is above freezing is fine to clean your siding.
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.
Easily Clean Your Vinyl Siding With Wet & Forget!
Green stains clean up in 1-2 weeks, black stains and moss clean up in 2 or more months. Wet the surface and forget it, there's no rinsing or scrubbing! Life's Dirty. Clean Easy.