Ultimate Guide Of Pressure Washing Vinyl Siding
Periodic vinyl exterior cleaning can help keep your home's attractiveness and selling value. A pressure washer is an essential equipment for repairing the appearance of vinyl siding since it makes it simple to blast dirt, grime, and mold away. To guarantee that you can operate safely and effectively, prepare the surface correctly before you begin spraying, and spend a few minutes getting acquainted with the pressure washer's settings. In order to increase your home's curb appeal and make it appear more appealing to potential buyers, maintaining the exterior in spotless condition is just as important as keeping the interior clean. Electric and gas pressure washers are the two main subcategories of pressure washers. For single-story homes, an electric pressure washer is the way to go; but, if you have a double-story home with a large amount of space to wash, a gas pressure washer is the way to go.
Step 1: Safety Gear Comes First
- Wear protective pants, closed-toe shoes, and goggles before beginning the project.
- Cover the landscaping area and electrical fixtures to protect them from chemicals.
- If any, closed windows and doors.
- Clear the space of any furniture and other items to make it workable.
Step 2: Apply The Bleach
It is preferable to begin by spraying bleach on vinyl siding if the mildew and fungal damage is too severe, which is typical. You can create a cleaning solution for any of the items listed below.
- Chlorine Bleach
One of the great options for getting rid of difficult stains is chlorine bleach. But the problem with chlorine is that it can contaminate the environment and harm both plants and animals. However, wait on; we have a fix for that. The safest method for pressure washing vinyl siding is to combine 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach with 1/4 cup of water. - Oxygen Bleach
Since it is the most environmentally friendly option for cleaning vinyl siding and doesn't damage siding, oxygen bleach is a holy grail. The worn-out and unpleasant vinyl siding can be made squeaky clean by mixing one cup of bleach with one gallon of water.
Apply to the affected area, scrub with a soft-bristled brush or microfiber cloth, and then rinse with a pressure washer set to the low-pressure mode. Additionally, attempt to pressure wash vinyl siding when the temperature is reasonable because high temperatures quickly evaporate the bleach and are useless.
Step 3: Spray With Detergent
If there is no embedded filth or hardened mildew on the siding, simple water treatment might be sufficient. To get the job done, you often use detergent designed for power washers. To be on the safe side, use the pressure washer according to the directions provided to avoid any messes.
- Adapt the pressure washer wand with the black soap nozzle.
- To avoid water getting sucked up under the sides, apply it from bottom to top while keeping the wand straight or just slightly off-center.
- To remove dirt from areas with rock ribs, add a revolving brush.
- To completely break off all the grime and dirt, give the detergent two to three minutes to set. Turn the dial to the low-pressure washing position.
Step 4: Work In Small Sections
You will achieve the best results if you work in smaller (2 to 3 foot) areas. Additionally, it will prevent the detergent from drying out and prevent you from getting nasty detergent scales.
Step 5: Rinse From Top To Bottom
Rinse the vinyl siding from top to bottom while keeping the washer wand 1.5 feet away. For a house with two stories, rinse with a ladder. Depending on the needs, you can change the nozzle setting.
Step 6: Allow Air-drying
Allow the siding to cure completely; depending on the weather, this could take anywhere from a few hours to a day. Congratulations! Your efforts to tidy up the vinyl siding were successful. Enjoy your preferred beverage now.