Tips for Cleaning Your Siding
Best Products and Methods for Exterior Cleaning
Every day, your home’s exterior is barraged by dust, rain, and pollen. Over time, this can leave grime, dirt, and mildew on your siding, which can make your home less visually appealing. By taking the time to clean your home’s siding once a year, you can keep your house looking great and retain its value. Here are our tips for cleaning your home’s siding:
Cleaning the Siding
The simplest way for homeowners to clean their home’s exterior is with warm, soapy water. A product like TSP (trisodium phosphate, available at most hardware stores) mixed with warm water can remove the grime and dirt without damaging the siding. Use a brush with soft bristles or a sponge to wipe the siding.
Removing Mildew
If you are finding black spots on your siding, especially in shaded sides of your home, you are likely dealing with mildew. Highly diluted bleach or special mildew cleaning products can remove the mildew without staining your siding.
Should I Use a Power Washer?
An electric or gas-driven power washer allows you to quickly remove dirt and grime from your home’s exterior – but at a cost. Not only does it cost money to rent or purchase the machine, but it can also cause unintended damage to your home – from chipping paint to damaging siding. If you use a pressure washer to clean your siding, be sure to keep the water pressure down so that it’s just removing the dirt.
Identifying and Repairing Siding Damage
If you find any damage to the siding, windows, trim, or spouting, give a professional exterior contractor a call. While the damage may seem simple and only on the surface, it could indicate a more serious problem hidden beneath. Your contractor will be able to identify any potential issues that could cause leaks or significant damage to your home and make the necessary repairs.