Everyone cleans the inside of their home without much thought. This is just a part of the daily life that is home ownership. What we often fail to do as homeowners is properly clean the exterior of our homes. We may practice proper lawn care often, and even clear debris from around out homes, but do we really clean the outside? Cleaning your siding in Allen Park Michigan can help to give your home a new and updated look. But when you notice problems when you’re cleaning your siding, it’s usually time to call a contractor.
Proper Steps for Repairing and Cleaning Your Home’s Siding in Allen Park Michigan
Focusing specifically on the siding of your home, can you think of the last time you really cleaned it well? Odds are if you can’t, you need to think seriously about getting it done. Mold, mildew, dirt, and grime call all build up on your home’s exterior. Not only is this unsightly, but it can also damage your siding! You should clean your exterior every spring to keep your home looking its best and to prevent damage.
Cleaning Tips
- First and foremost, you should always be cautious when using a ladder. Be careful with the entire task and evaluate any possible dangers before getting started.
- Always clean in small sections over your siding. You won’t miss anything if you work on a manageable area at one time, plus you won’t overextend yourself and possibly get hurt.
- Clean from top to bottom so that the dirty water runs down over an area that is still dirty and not over newly cleaned siding.
- Use a warm water mixture with TSP, or trisodium phosphate, for cleaning your siding, no matter the type.
Hiring Someone
There is no shame in hiring a cleaning company to get the job done! Read reviews and look for recommendations from people you know. You’ll look to spend between $300-500 more than likely, but you can be sure it is money well spent since this is an important area of home maintenance.
Alternatively, you can rent a power washer to help you do a more thorough job yourself. This could run you around $50-100. Be sure you use the utmost care in operating the machine, and don’t be afraid to seek the professionals if this seems daunting.
Tips for Pressure Washing your Siding
- Be sure to start with the pressure washer set on the lowest setting!
- Don’t spray your windows or doors – only focus the pressure washing on your siding.
- Always use eye protection when operating a pressure washer and consider using a face mask and respirator if you use chemicals in the machine.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is growing in popularity and therefore is becoming very common. This is an affordable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing siding choice that also happens to be very easy to clean. You can power wash vinyl siding for tough jobs, or stick with a cleaning solution and soft cloth or brush. Most stains can be cleaned using a water and vinegar solution with a 2:1 ratio. Additionally, there are many store bought cleaners that can do the trick!
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding can be cleaned very similarly to vinyl siding. Use the same type of cleaning products with a soft cloth or brush. Remember to keep water and vinegar ration at 2:1. There are also a number of aluminum specific cleaners as well as general cleaners that will work great for cleaning your aluminum siding.
Fiber Cement Siding
While this is a very durable siding material, fiber cement siding still needs some care and cleaning from time to time. Make sure to check this siding after storms, but also give it a good cleaning to make it look good as new.
Manufacturers of fiber cement siding recommend using a soft cloth or brush with water to remove dirt and dust from this siding. For stuck on grime and gunk, it is suggested you used a little dish liquid along with the water and soft cloth to help get it off. If you notice any mildew or mold on your siding, you should use a water hose for additional pressure and a mildew cleaner with the soft cloth to remove this.
Wood Siding
Common types of wood siding include cypress and cedar. These need a different type of cleaning than other siding types. The biggest issue you will face with the characteristic wood siding will be mold and mildew issues due to wood holding more moisture than other types of siding. Unless you are experienced using a pressure washer, you probably should avoid using one to clean your wood siding. This can strip paint, damage your siding, and cause moisture to get trapped in crevices.
Instead, you should use a form of oxygen bleach on your natural siding, but stay away from chlorine bleach because this can harm your siding and surrounding vegetation. Also avoid any natural oil stains because this can be broken down over time and allow mildew to return. Do some research on organic options, as there are many out there that would be perfect to use.
When you find a cleaner you are comfortable using, be sure to take great care in the cleaning process itself. Check your natural wood siding for any issues along the way such as mold, mildew, or soft spots.
Steel Siding
This type of siding is a little different than the rest. Not only does it require different cleaning supplies, but it’s truly best to use a pressure washer on steel siding. You should avoid any corrosive cleaners, and avoid any chemicals if possible. A great alternative to most siding cleaners is a mixture of water and laundry detergent. If there is a mold issue, use a bleach water solution to clean steel siding.
As with any home maintenance or renovation project, it’s perfectly ok and even recommended to seek professional help! Don’t be afraid to call in the experts to avoid costing yourself much more in repair costs should something you do yourself go wrong!
Call A Contractor for Siding Repairs
If the siding on your home is damaged in some way it’s always best to call a siding contractor for repairs. They can repair the siding properly and inspect for water damage as well. Call All Point Construction today at 734-407-7110 in Allen Park Michigan for your siding repairs or installation.