Are you searching for the right way to pressure-wash vinyl siding? If yes, then we have got you covered. Vinyl siding is a highly durable home exterior option. Although it is low maintenance, sometimes dust or debris may accumulate over it. The old days of washing it with a brush and water bucket are gone.
Nowadays the most effective way to clean vinyl siding is pressure washing using a power pressure. Hence, with a pressure washer, it is possible to restore the original appearance of the vinyl siding. In this article, we will focus on how by following the right instructions and a step-by-step guide you can use a pressure washer for vinyl siding maintenance.
Is Using a Pressure Washer For Cleaning Vinyl Siding Difficult?
Using a pressure washer is not difficult in reality. All you need is proper instructions and caution to use the power pressure. So, there is no need to get overwhelmed by the size and power of this mechanical appliance. On the contrary, it is easy to operate and highly beneficial for cleaning vinyl siding.
*Expert’s Tip: The trick that experts use while operating the power washer for vinyl siding is as follows: Start the pressure washer at a minimum amount of pressure. After that, increase the amount of pressure slowly. On the other hand, use a cleaner or detergent that doesn’t affect the vinyl siding. Moreover, always use a fresh and clean cleansing kit. Otherwise, you will end up damaging the siding with impurities like greasers or polishers.
Besides this, you should also choose the power of pressure according to the height of the vinyl siding. When you are cleansing the siding on the ground floor using low pressure is optimal. But during cleaning the siding at the height of the first or second floor while standing on the ground floor uses heavy pressure. For this purpose, you should consider using gas-powered pressure. This will help you reach these kinds of spots.
A Step-by-step Guide to Using Pressure Washer
Safety comes first. Therefore, before start using the pressure washer wear gloves and goggles for protection. Also, familiarize yourself with the washer to know to learn how it operates. The following are steps to use a pressure washer to cleanse the vinyl siding of your home:
Step 1 – Choose the Appropriate Pressure Washer Cleaner
Using water to remove stains from the siding is good. But it is always better to apply detergent with water. This will lead to effective cleaning. So, choose a suitable pressure washer detergent that is compatible with the power pressure model you own.
Otherwise, your pressure washer will end up deteriorating. After choosing the soap, you can use the injector in the washer to create the cleansing mixture. This injector mixes the cleaning solution directly into the spraying jet.
Step 2 – Apply the Water and Detergent Mixture
Apply the cleaning mixture with a washer at low pressure. This will help you in smooth cross-hatching. When applying it at a lengthy height consider using high-pressure spray kits. They can spray up to 25 feet.
Moreover, the hose of the washer is not like a painting hose so don’t get too excited when you are applying the solution. For an effective application of cleaning mixture, start applying from the bottom and then move upward.
Step 3 – Utilize a Brush for Thorough Cleaning
A brush can remove tough stains that are unable to be cleaned with just a pressure washer. When vinyl siding is not maintained it may accumulate multiple layers of debris. The best news is you can utilize a rotating brush with the pressure washer.
For this purpose, simply attach it to the washer wand. Above all, this brush has foam on the facing side which emits a cleaning solution while running. Therefore, it is a great feature for thorough cleaning and it is much better than a regular hand brush.
Step 4 – Let the Mixture Settle on Surface
After you have applied the cleaning on the vinyl siding and brushed it, let the mixture settle. It will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes. This step is especially essential to eliminate the stains, soot, or mold spots if any are present. However, don’t let the cleansing mixture dry on vinyl siding. Otherwise, it won’t serve its purpose. This is because it will harm the siding causing discoloration, streaks, or residue.
Step 5 – Start Washing from a Distance
The power washers are sturdy and powerful tools. They are capable of providing enormous water pressure. However, if not used properly they can potentially damage the vinyl siding. Hence, it is highly advised to start washing the siding from a distance at optimal pressure.
If you will head up washing the siding at high pressure you will make the walls of your house wet. This will create a potential breeding area for the fungus to grow and form green spots inside the home. Therefore, start applying water pressure five feet away from the washable source. Then you can move forward to it if more pressure is required.
Step 6 – Spray Pressure Washer to Cleanse Siding
While you are spraying the water on siding make sure you avoid spraying directly at the sensitive areas. For instance, roof edges, ventilation hose, light fittings, etc. Otherwise, high spraying pressure can either blow them or end up putting water in them. Moreover, the pro tip is to keep the angle of the washing wand in a downward direction.
This tip becomes more specific when you are spraying horizontally at the vinyl siding. If you don’t follow this trick you will end up buckling the siding. When rinsing the cleaning solution from the siding do it opposite to what you did while applying it. This means start rinsing from the top and move down to make sure all the detergent rinses out.
Final Verdict
In short, pressure washers are highly reliable and recommended tools. They are specially designed to cut off the working time while washing the vinyl siding. Hence, you can spend more of your time doing other tasks than washing the siding the whole day.
Additionally, pressure washers have multiple benefits and uses. You can utilize them by removing paint, washing vehicles, cleansing sidewalks, etc. Get this tool and make your life easier!