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Pressure Washing Vinyl Siding
How to Quickly Wash Vinyl Siding using a
Pressure Washer
By
Mark J. Donovan
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Vinyl siding, like
any other home siding, gets dirty over time. Pollen from trees,
as well as dirt and dust, and even emissions from automobiles
can wind up sticking on your home’s vinyl siding. In many cases
these substances can act as food for mold and mildew spores and
end up turning parts of your home siding green.
To quickly clean
vinyl siding, a pressure washer works best. However it is
important to use the lowest pressure setting on the pressure
washer, and to always point the nozzle in the downward
direction.
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Water can easily work
its way behind vinyl siding if you point the nozzle upwards, and
in many cases there is not a waterproof barrier on the home’s
wood sheathing to protect it from water penetration. Also, it is
important to position the nozzle a few feet away from the vinyl
siding to prevent damaging it.
Use either a mild dish detergent or a
specially formulated vinyl siding cleaning solution that is designed to work with your
pressure washer. If using a specially formulated vinyl siding solution, make
sure to first read the instructions on how to dilute it with water.
In addition to a pressure washer and
detergent you may need a ladder or two.
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In preparation for
pressure washing the vinyl siding, hose down any near shrubs
or cover them with a protective drop cloth, to prevent any
damage to them that may be caused by the cleaning chemicals.
Again, if using a specially formulated vinyl siding cleaning solution,
read the instructions for protecting your home’s shrubs.
To wash your vinyl
siding, start by rinsing the vinyl siding starting at the
base of the house and working your way upwards, however keep
the pressure nozzle facing in a downward direction.
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Once you have rinsed
a section of the vinyl siding surface area, e.g. 100-200 square
feet of area, apply the detergent to the vinyl siding using the
pressure washer nozzle. Note depending upon the type of pressure
washer you are using, you may need to use a specific nozzle when
applying the detergent.
After you have
sprayed on the detergent, allow it to sit for just a couple of
minutes, and then rinse it off with the pressure washer. If
there are areas that require additional effort to clean, use a
soft brush on them before rising with the pressure washer.
Continue to work your way up the
walls of the home, making sure to rinse thoroughly from top to bottom. Again,
you may need to employ ladders to ensure that you are always aiming the pressure
washer nozzle in a downward position.
Pressure washing vinyl siding is a
fast and effective way to clean your home’s siding. However expect to spend the
better part of a day doing it and getting a little wet in the process.
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Related Home Siding Information
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