How To Clean Vinyl Siding With A Pressure Washer?
Cleaning vinyl siding with a pressure washer is not as easy as it seems – you need to take some precautions and be careful how you do it. This blog post will discuss how to clean vinyl siding safely and effectively and avoid the most common mistakes that people make when cleaning their house’s exterior.
Check the condition of your home's siding and windows
- Before using the pressure washer, take a quick walk around the home to ensure that the siding is still in place and any vinyl strips have not fallen off.
- Look for any cracks in the siding that water may pass through and see how the lengths of long walls overlap.
- Check that all of your windows are closed. And that glazing and caulking on those windows are in good working order.
Tools Needed
What You’ll Need To Clean Vinyl Siding With A Pressure Washer:
Pressure Washer: Before doing anything, make sure that the pressure washer is working correctly. Use it to clean a small area on your house before using it for siding cleaning – this way, if there are any problems with how the power washer works, you will know how to deal with them in advance.
Spray Nozzle: Make sure that the nozzle setting is adjusted to how you want it before using the pressure washer on your siding.
Water Hose: Make sure there are no kinks in the hose. Also, ensure that nothing can interfere with how far away from the house you spray water. Minor children should stay well back when cleaning siding with a pressure washer!
Soap: Use soap to clean the siding, but make sure it is not too soapy. You should also be careful how you mix up any chemicals you use, especially if children or pets are nearby.
A Rake: Use a rake to remove spider webs and other loose dirt or grime that isn’t stuck on very well before cleaning the siding.
Ladder: A ladder is very helpful for how you will access the sides of your home to clean, as well as how you might need a boost from someone else when reaching those hard-to-reach areas.
How To Clean Vinyl Siding With A Pressure Washer - 11 Easy Steps
Here are 11 easy steps on how to clean vinyl siding with a pressure washer:
Determine which kind of pressure washer you need – an electric pressure washer is excellent for one-story homes. In contrast, a gas-powered pressure washer is better for homes with more than one story.
Remove spider webs, debris, and loose dirt – you can use a rake or broom to do this; however, be careful how close you get when using these tools! You don’t want to accidentally damage or scratch your siding while removing dirt and debris.
Mix the soap in a bucket of water – how much you use will depend on how big your house is. Still, it should be about one ounce per gallon of water (this may vary if using concentrated cleaners). When mixing chemicals with water, remember that less is more!
Wet down the siding – make sure you get all sides of your home wet, but don’t allow it to be too saturated. Spray a small area at a time and let it sit for about five minutes before moving on to the next section. This process will give the soap enough time to do its job!
Pressure wash the siding – how much pressure you use will depend on how dirty the vinyl siding is. You can start with lower pressure and work your way up if needed, but be very careful not to spray at too high of an angle! You only need 1300 to 1600 PSI for cleaning vinyl siding.
Wash all sides of the home – make sure every side gets washed thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
Rinse the siding – again, how much you will depend on how dirty your siding was. But make sure it rinses very well to remove all soap residue and dirt before moving on to the final step!
Dry off the vinyl sider – if you used a hose for this part, make sure it is turned off and removed, so it doesn’t interfere with how the siding dries. You can also use a towel or squeegee to remove excess water from your home, but be careful how close you get when doing this!
Use a garden hose – if any areas still have some soap residue after rinsing, use it to remove it.
Remove any excess dirt or debris – if you used a rake for this step, make sure that it is moved away from how close the siding will be when cleaning with the pressure washer again!
Let the siding dry before allowing people back on your property – how long you need to wait will depend on how dirty the vinyl siding is. Still, it should be about an hour to let everything dry and ensure no soap residue is left behind.
Now that you know how to clean your vinyl siding with a pressure washer go out and try this technique for yourself!
Just remember these tips
- Make sure all connections are correctly tightened.
- Thoroughly wet your siding before applying soap and pressure washer.
- Always start at the bottom of how you will be spraying to avoid damaging how close you are to any structures or objects.
- If possible, have a second person there with a hose if the first one fails.
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Precautions
Hearing Protection: The pressure washer can be pretty loud, so make sure you have some ear protection on cleaning vinyl siding with a power washer.
Goggles and Gloves: Ensure that your eyes and hands have protection from how powerful the pressure washer can be. Gloves should also protect your hands from harsh chemicals and sharp debris. You could get it if you miss a spot with how close to the house you are working.
Avoid Ladders: Don’t use ladders that are not meant for how high off the ground you will be working, and don’t climb up them by yourself – have someone nearby just in case something happens.
Water Discharge: Keep water discharge away from any windows or doors around how to clean vinyl siding with a pressure washer, as well as how close you are to power lines.
Fences: Keep how far away you will be working from any fences, as well as keeping water discharge away from them – they should not get wet if at all possible.
Soap Solution Amounts: Use soap solution sparingly – too much can make the siding look dirty and streaky.
Insect Repellant: If you have many insects around, clean vinyl siding with a pressure washer. Make sure that you use an insect repellent far away from the house and other plants or flowers.
Water Supply: Make sure that your pressure washer is hooked up correctly and securely. Ensure there are no leaks in either of these areas before turning on the pressure washer.
Be Careful Around the House: If you are cleaning vinyl siding with a power washer, ensure that you don’t lean against any part of the house or walk too close to it. Accidents could happen if you are hard concentrating is not where your feet are.
Trees: Check how the pressure washer is away from trees around you. Ensure that none of the house or other nearby structures get damaged from water discharge or how high off the ground you were working. This step is crucial if there are children and pets nearby.
Remember: Some siding producers discourage using a pressure washer on their siding. Instead, contact your siding manufacturer for appropriate cleaning instructions.
A Cleaning Routine
If you clean all sides of your home with a pressure washer once every year (or less), then make sure to check how long the pressure washer hose is. This way, you can be sure how far away from your house you are working when cleaning siding with a power washer!
Wrap Up – How To Clean Vinyl Siding With A Pressure Washer
Suppose you follow the how-to-clean vinyl siding above. In that case, it will be easy to show how to clean vinyl siding with a pressure washer and avoid any potential damage.
Remember: if in doubt about cleaning vinyl siding or using your power washer, contact a professional who can help!
FAQs
How often should I clean my vinyl siding?
It would be best if you washed how to clean vinyl siding at least once a year, but it is best to do this during the winter months when cold weather conditions last.
What is the finest vinyl siding cleaner?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution since the degree of filth and grime on your siding depends. Cleaners like oxygen bleach and vinegar are beneficial, but avoid abrasive brushes, undiluted bleach, and organic solvents to preserve your siding.
You can read this article to know more about the best vinyl siding cleaners.
How frequently should you power wash vinyl siding?
In most situations, vinyl siding should be power washed every two years. However, in certain circumstances, you may need to extend the period. Some homeowners, for example, choose to clean their houses before putting them on the market. Most painters also advise power washing before any exterior painting.
What is the cost of cleaning siding?
The typical cost to clean the siding of a house is $300 to $600, with most homeowners paying around $380 to clean the vinyl siding on a 1,500-square-foot property using pressure washing.
A minimal wash, which may include anything from soft washing the stone siding of a 1,000-square-foot house for $250 to power washing aluminum siding on a 2,200-square-foot home for $990, is considered.
My residence is old, and the walls appear filthy. Is it time for me to clean my home using a pressure washer?
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a novice, cleaning vinyl siding is easier when you have the right equipment. You should consider hiring a specialist to assist you!
Should I get a gas-powered pressure washer or an electric pressure washer for cleaning the vinyl siding of my house?
If you have a one-story house, an electric power washer should be enough to clean everything. But if you are cleaning a double-story house that has a large area that needs cleaning, it’s a good idea to get a gas-powered pressure washer.
Do I need any protective gear when using my pressure washer on the vinyl siding of my house?
When using a power washer, you should wear gloves and safety goggles because the water stream can be dangerous.
Is it possible to clean vinyl siding with vinegar?
Yes, vinegar helps clean vinyl siding, especially mold and mildew. However, dilute it with water first. A solution containing 70 percent water and 30% white vinegar is recommended.
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