6 Steps to Maintain Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding has many advantages for homeowners, including durability and aesthetic appeal. Additionally, many homeowners find that maintenance is a snap—especially when they perform that maintenance on a regular basis. To take the best care of your home’s exterior, here are the six steps to long-lasting, beautiful vinyl siding for your home.

1. Wash it regularly. Vinyl siding is very easy to wash—many homeowners simply hose off their vinyl siding when it looks dirty. If the dirt is a little more stubborn, you can wash your vinyl siding with a soft cloth and a cleaning solution that is approved by the manufacturer. For siding with a textured finish (or any other siding as well), a long-handled, soft-bristled brush can be used to get into the grooves. Here’s a pro tip: It is wise to start at the bottom of your home and work your way up, making sure you rinse the cleaning solution off prior to it drying. Also, remember to cover any parts of your house that has brick facing so that the runoff doesn’t affect it.

2. Call in the pros when necessary. If recommended by the siding’s manufacturer, you can call in the pressure washing professionals to get the job done quickly and thoroughly. If you decide to pressure wash your siding by yourself, remember to be gentle and take heed of plants and other structures that surround your home—a pressure washer can do a lot of damage if handled improperly.

3. Treat it right. Yes, vinyl siding is durable, but it’s not invincible. Take care to park your lawn mower, bicycle, or snow blower away from the siding. Vinyl doesn’t dent, but it can crack or break, especially when made brittle by cold weather.

4. Inspect it periodically. Every once in a while, take some time to walk around your house and inspect your siding. Take note of anything amiss you might notice, such as suspicious streaking or staining that appears on the vinyl itself or on the exposed foundation wall beneath—these signs may warn of hidden trouble.

5. Protect it from heat. Keep your barbeque away from the siding—vinyl has a low melting point, and you don’t want to melt a section of your siding because you parked the grill too close to the house.

6. Replace any damaged sections as soon as you can. This will keep the rest of your home’s foundation from being compromised by inclement weather, mold, and insects, among other things.

Click here for more information.