Tips for Cleaning Your Siding!
When was the last time you cleaned your siding? Keeping your siding cleaned can help extend the life of your siding and keep the exterior of your home looking great. Algae and other dirt can accumulate and it's a good idea to clean your siding one time per year. Not sure what the best approach is? Read on to get a few tips from our roofing company at the Lake of the Ozarks!
1. Inspect for Damage Before Cleaning
All types of siding are vulnerable to water infiltration, especially where it butts against windows, doors, and corner moldings. You'll want to check for caulk that has cracked due to age or has pulled away from the surface, leaving a gap. If you have wood siding, check for chipped or peeling paint, as well as cracked wood and trim. For stucco, look for cracks and chips, and for brick, look for crumbling mortar joints.
2. Use Warm, Soapy Water
The best way to clean your siding is by hand with a bucket of warm, soapy water. Use a soft-bristled brush attached with a long handle. You'll want to work from bottom to top in order to avoid streaking. Be sure to rinse often as well so the soap doesn't dry onto the siding. It's advised to divide the work into 10-foot sections.
3. Removing Mildew
Stubborn, black spotty stains are probably mildew. If warm, soapy water doesn't do the trick, dab the area with diluted bleach. If the spots come off, you're dealing with mildew. Clean the entire area with a solution of one part bleach to four parts water. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the area with clean water.
4. Use Caution with Power Washing.
Whether you have a power washer or choose to rent one, use it with caution. If you don't have experience with power washing, you could cause damage to your siding. Power washers can strip paint, gouge softwoods, loosen caulk and eat through mortar. In addition, the pressure can force water under horizontal lap joints, resulting in moisture accumulating behind the siding. If you don't have the experience or just don't have the time, consider having it professionally cleaned. A professional has the expertise to prevent water penetration at joints, seams around windows and doors, and electrical fixtures.
Contact Above & Beyond Roofing for Help!
We hope you found these tips helpful for cleaning your siding. If sounds like a lot of work or you're just not comfortable with getting on a ladder, give our team a call! We offer exterior home cleaning at the Lake of the Ozarks and we'd be happy to help get the exterior of your home in tip-top shape!
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