 Vinyl siding is a popular building material here in the greater Tampa Bay area for its resilience, durability, versatility, and low cost. Of course, it does require routine maintenance and regular cleaning. Vinyl siding is prone to accumulating everything from rust, grime, stains, and dirt to insect and bird droppings as well as spider webs. Shady areas of siding can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and moss. Vinyl siding can also become discolored by sunlight, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, caulking, and more. There are two primary ways to keep your vinyl siding clean whether you do it yourself or let professionals handle the job: by hand or by using a power washer. Here's what you should know about cleaning your vinyl siding the right way -- and how to keep it looking its best. Handwashing Vinyl Siding There are two main ways to clean vinyl siding: by hand or with a pressure washer. If you decide to wash your siding by hand, prepare to put a lot of time and elbow grease into it. If you are washing by hand, you will need:
A soft cloth can be used to clean vinyl siding, but you will need a soft bristle brush if you have a textured surface to get into the grooves. Begin with the bottom of the house and work your way up, rinsing the cleaning solution away completely before it can dry as you go. Make sure you cover any brick on the building to protect it from runoff.  Call (813) 991-7243 Pressure Wash Vinyl Siding Pressure washing vinyl siding is the standard method and recommended by the Vinyl Siding Institute of America, although you do need to use caution to avoid damaging the siding. Be sure you check with your siding manufacturer's recommendations. While some manufacturers recommend against power washing, others recommend it with a specific amount of pressure. Using a pressure washer requires you to use a low pressure nozzle, and the right cleaning solution. Getting Ready Before getting started, make sure you take a quick look at your siding to make sure it is all intact and nothing has come loose. Look for cracks that water could penetrate and look at how the siding overlaps. Next, soak the soil and landscaping around your house to help dilute any chemicals that might run off. Choose the Right Nozzle It's also important to use the right nozzle. There are several nozzles that can be used to clean siding, but don't start with one that delivers a strong jet of water. Too much pressure can damage the siding, so take it easy. Start with the soap tip that blasts water at a lower pressure and a wider 60-degree angle. This is ideal for applying the cleaning solution. When it's time to rinse the siding off, switch to a general use tip that delivers a 15 to 20-degree angle for a stronger stream of pressure. This will help loosen debris. Any hard to reach areas or spots with thick layers of dirt can be best treated at first with a soft brush to loosen the dirt. That way you don't damage your siding with a strong jet of water in an effort to remove the caked on dirt. Less pressure is more in this case, and you can now easily flush the dirt off. General rule of thumb: How to Point the Stream When using a pressure washer, always ensure the stream is at eye level and pointed straight toward the siding. Never point the stream at an angle as it can direct water under the siding and cause severe water-damage. Use caution when using the pressure washer around any openings like plumbing connections and windows. Be careful that you do not point the water stream upwards or between any lapse in your siding. Watch when you spray into corners to see how the water impacts crevices. The corners will still be hit by off-spray as you clean surrounding areas. Work in a steady fashion and pressure wash one section of siding at a time, moving from bottom to top and sweeping from left to right. Get the Pressure Right To choose the right pressure washer for the job, you'll need a model with anywhere from 1,300 to 1,600 psi, whether it's electric or gasoline-powered. Aim for 45-65 psi from the nozzle to effectively clean your siding without causing damage. You can adjust the power of the spray by adjusting the nozzle setting or standing further away from the siding. Make sure you keep your distance when using a pressure washer. A pressure washer packs a punch and standing too close to the siding during use can easily punch a hole in the vinyl. A good rule of thumb is to hold the nozzle no closer than 18 inches from the siding. Start farther away and move closer as you need more pressure. Dangers of Improper Pressure Washing Power washing siding needs to be done carefully because it can be easy to damage your siding, including punching a hole in it with water pressure that's too high or shooting water underneath the siding and causing rot. Remember that electricity and water do not mix. Because you'll get wet while pressure washing, you are at risk of receiving an electrical shock. Make sure you look overhead for power lines before extending a ladder and do not spray the electrical meter, exterior outlets, lights, or the building's electrical service entrance cable. If you aren't confident you can pressure wash the siding correctly, you may want to leave the job to the professionals. Pressure washing is an art that requires a careful balance of pressure, distance, and angle and what to use to combat specific problems. Vinyl Siding Cleaning Solutions There are several popular and effective cleaning solutions you can use safely on vinyl siding. You can choose to buy a specially designed cleaning product, or you can make your own cleaning solution. Here are a few solutions: Make a solution of 70% water, 30% white distilled vinegar for a strong all-purpose cleaner that removes light mildew and mold stains. A solution of one-third powdered laundry detergent, two-third powdered household cleaner, one quart liquid laundry bleach, and one gallon of water makes a stronger solution to combat tougher stains. One cup of powdered oxygen bleach (not chlorine) mixed with one gallon of water creates a more eco-friendly cleaning solution that won't damage your landscaping. This solution is best for fighting algae, but it needs to be left on the siding for 10 minutes before it's removed. Some general household cleaners like Murphy's Oil Soap and Lysol can help with stubborn stains, especially stains from grass, oil, rust, ink, and crayon. If you have rust stains, look for a product designed to remove rust like Instant Rust Out. The best cleaner when handwashing your vinyl siding DIY vinyl cleaning solutions work best when you are scrubbing your siding by hand. If you plan to use a pressure washer, check the manual to make sure you can use a DIY solution. Never use these cleaners: There are some cleaners and solutions that can damage vinyl siding:
If you are going to use a power washer, there are several recommended cleaning solutions such as Sontouch 659, an industrial-strength cleaner that won't damage landscaping. Cleansol BC is another safe vinyl cleaning solution that can also be used on gutters and decks to remove black streaks. Prevent Mold and Algae on Vinyl Siding Want to minimize the amount of time you spend cleaning your siding every year? There are some steps you can take to keep mold and algae from growing on your vinyl siding. Painted siding If your vinyl siding is painted, use a paint that contains a mildew-proof additive to keep mildew at bay. Many paint brands include it in the formula, but it can also be added at the paint counter. Mold You can also apply an outdoor mold remover product like Wet & Forget to keep mold and mildew away for up to a year. Every time it rains, the product binds with the water to fight mold. This product needs to be diluted to a 5:1 ratio with water before it's applied, but it's environmentally friendly and does not harm landscaping. Sunlight Do what you can to let as much sunlight as possible hit your siding. This is especially important on the north side of the building. You may need to remove shrubbery from around the building or trim trees to let in more light. Contact Us for a Free Vinyl Siding Cleaning Estimate in the greater Tampa Bay area! Does your vinyl siding look dingy and dirty? Do you have a problem with unsightly mildew and algae? At DPI Pressure Washing we deliver reliable and high-quality pressure washing services backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact us today for a FREE estimate on your vinyl siding project to get your home looking its best. Or call us right now at (813) 991-7243. Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash
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Ella May with her dad, Mauricio Munoz :-)
Ella May + Luna Marie + Amelie Rose Munoz:We like to help our Dad to promote his pressure washing and window cleaning business in Clearwater and Tampa Bay. Hope you enjoy this blog ;-). 
Charlotta Munoz + kids
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