Exterior siding is common in most houses these days. It not only protects the house from cold, heat, and rain but also improves the overall appearance of the house.
However, if there is no exterior siding, there can be instances when grit and grime accumulate on the sides of the house. That is why most house owners install the exterior siding. But installing exterior siding is not enough! You need to keep it clean as well.
If you do not clean the siding for a long time, it can get severely damaged. And once it gets damaged, it might need a replacement, which again is an expensive affair. But worry not because I am here to help! I will help you learn how to clean all types of exterior sidings- brick, stucco, wood, and vinyl.
So if you are looking for ways to clean your exterior siding, keep reading!
In this article, we will cover:
- How to Clean Wood Siding
- How to Clean Stucco Siding
- How to Clean Vinyl Siding
- How to Clean Brick Siding
- Best Exterior Siding Material
How to Clean Wood Siding?
The wood siding looks the best undoubtedly, but it is the hardest to maintain. If you are planning on installing wooden exterior siding, make sure you paint it at least once every five years. Apart from that, you need to check regularly whether or not the wood siding has become loose. It usually happens because wood contracts and expands with changing seasons. In that case, you need to apply caulk to ensure that the wood siding sticks to the walls tightly.
Now coming to the cleaning part, you need to clean it at least once or twice a year. I recommend you take a soft-bristle brush and dip it in soapy water to clean a wood siding properly.
But remember, soapy water will never be enough for cleaning algae and mold stains. For that, you need to make a mixture of water and bleach. Take four parts of water and one part of bleach to make the perfect cleaning mixture, and then use the soft-bristle brush to remove the stains.
I would also recommend you avoid pressure washing your wooden exterior because it can be destructive.
How to Clean Stucco Siding?
Stucco is a material made with gypsum, Portland cement, and sand. It is one such siding material that has been used for ages now, but even with time, its popularity hasn’t faded. It is one of the most versatile materials you can ever use for your siding. Whether choosing different textures or colors, you can do it all with stucco.
However, house owners sometimes do not like stucco siding because of its rigid composition. The rigidity often causes cracks and chips in the siding, which can be repaired by experienced repair workers only.
Gladly, cleaning stucco exterior can be done by oneself easily at home. First, take a spray bottle, fill it with soap water and spray it on the siding. Ensure that the soap water is slightly warm for more effective cleaning. Then, start cleaning from the bottom and gradually move upwards. This helps in better cleaning without any clogging of dirty water.
How to Clean Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl is one of the most used exterior materials in most houses. Vinyl looks much like wood siding, but it is not very hard to maintain, unlike wood.
Experts say vinyl can look new even after years without painting or repairing. Vinyl is also well-guarded against termites and other insects that rot exterior sidings. All these vinyl features make it a great choice among house owners who want their exterior siding to look perfect for years.
Of course, like any other siding, vinyl siding will also get dirty and need cleaning once or twice a year. But thankfully, the cleaning process is quite hassle-free.
All you need to do is use a garden hose for cleaning the siding. Then, depending on how much cleaning the siding requires, you can either use plain water or detergent water. Trust me, cleaning vinyl siding won’t even take one hour. It is a super easy and quick process, making vinyl sidings the most attractive choice among busy homeowners.
How to Clean Brick Siding?
Brick is another siding material that looks new forever, but it requires more cleaning, unlike vinyl. You need to clean it thoroughly once every six months. If you clean it regularly, it will stay undamaged for years, but a bit of laziness can cost you a lot.
Hence, please check the brick sidings often and clean them whenever required. Also, pay special attention to the brick sidings in the shade because they are at a higher risk of getting damaged by mold, mildew, and moss. In that case, soapy water won’t be enough for cleaning. Instead, you will need to take a solution of bleach water, spray it on the siding and clean it with the help of a brush.
Which is the Best Exterior Siding Material?
Well, personally, I think that the vinyl siding is the best. It not only requires very low maintenance but is also one of the most versatile siding materials ever. It gives a wooden finish to the siding and looks beautiful. Moreover, the cleaning process of vinyl siding is also easy. Hence, I really like this material and recommend it as the best exterior siding material to you as well!
Final Word
As evident after reading the blog, cleaning an exterior siding is not a tough job and can be easily done without professional help. However, you should not neglect it just because it is easy. Check your sidings often and clean them at least twice a year.
I recommend you avoid using a pressure washer on sidings because they are delicate, and high-pressure water flow can damage them completely. Moreover, the color will also come off if you clean them using a pressure washer. Hence, it is best to use either a brush, or if you are looking for something stronger, then cleaning with a garden hose is also a good option.
Even though soapy water mostly serves the cleaning purpose, I recommend you use bleach water if you are trying to clean mold, mildew, and moss stains. Use a good quality cleaning agent for effective cleaning.
So when are you planning to wash your exterior siding? Do not forget to share with me!
