The exterior of the house should be cleaned at least once a year to remove the dirt, mold, stains, etc. cleaning the surface of the house increases the beauty of the home and helps preserve the outer layer. There was a time when the only way to clean the vinyl siding and the exterior was only with the garden hose or the bucket and brush. But now we have the facility of using a pressure washer that can clean the whole house in just minutes. It is the easiest and most efficient way of cleaning the vinyl siding, but you should consider some factors before washing them.
In this article, we will learn about the cleaning of vinyl siding with a pressure washer.
How To Properly Power Wash Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is not completely solid like concrete, so cleaning them is different, and there is more expertise required to clean the vinyl siding. Cleaning the house without proper procedures can damage or degrade the quality of the exterior. Make sure you follow all the steps of cleaning the house’s vinyl siding.
Inspect The House
Before cleaning the house, do a thorough inspection around the house exterior to see if there is any damage or cracks in the wall. If you spot any broken, damaged, or a cracked portion, try to fix it or if it is not possible, make sure to avoid using a pressure washer there. The vinyl siding inspection can highlight any damage and save them from complete breakage.
When you inspect the vinyl siding, look for the filthy parts, this will help you clean them efficiently, but you can also determine the cause of it. Make sure that no leaking piping or plumbing is causing the problem. If there is any leaking gutter or piping, fix it because using the pressure washer in that condition may tear them apart, and it would be a complete disaster.
Similarly, if you spot any dirt deposition or algae, brush it down so that it is softened and can be cleaned with little power. Using maximum capacity on the vinyl siding to remove these kinds of stains can cause damage to the surface.
Set The Pressure Washer
Once the inspection and fixing are done, it is time to use the pressure washer. You should use a low power pressure washer that provides 1000 to 1500 psi. Using the powerful pressure washer can cause the water to damage the vinyl siding, and it would be a new and more significant problem. Set the pressure washer according to the recommended procedure and use the 25 to the 40-degree nozzle.
It is better to use the 40-degree nozzle, but you can use a 25-degree nozzle for high-density stains. Now turn on the pressure washer safely from the surface and gently close the distance between nozzle and cover to get the desired cleaning effect. Please avoid using the pressure washer too close to the surface as it damages it. Please do not use the pressure washer utterly perpendicular to the surface, but use it at an angle to maximize the cleaning effect.
Start from the bottom and make your way up to the top to avoid the streaking. Pressure washing is like painting, so make sure you do it. Always use the pressure washer in the pattern to avoid missing any spot while maximizing efficiency.
If you use the pressure washer to clean the upper portion, make sure that you stand on a stable surface. Please do not use the ladder as the recoil might cause it to lose balance. Rub the area with deep stains and do not try to remove them simply by pressure washer. Do not use the pressure washer to clean the fragile parts such as lighting, windows, glass, etc.
Conclusion
Pressure washers can be used to clean the vinyl siding but make sure to use a good pressure washer with decent power. The recommended capacity for vinyl siding is between 100 psi to 1500 psi, and make sure to properly check the surface before cleaning to avoid any significant problems.
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