Last year, Kyle* chose to replace his old, worn-out wood siding with vinyl siding. It has been looking and performing great ever since. After all, vinyl siding is known for its durability, energy efficiency, wide variety of colors, and, perhaps most importantly, its low-maintenance features. In other words, it will withstand the harshest conditions without warping, cracking, or requiring constant repainting. However, he was reminded of a conversation he had with the installer, who recommended cleaning vinyl siding around the one-year mark. He agreed at the time yet can’t help but wonder why. It looks great. It is supposed to stay that way, right?
Well, yes and no. While vinyl siding is a popular choice due to its durability and low-maintenance features, it still requires occasional cleaning to prevent dirt, mold, mildew, grime, and other nasty stuff from accumulating. Think about it: over the past year in North Texas, your home has managed to withstand several significant cold snaps, another long, hot summer, and plenty of heavy wind and rain sprinkled in. Regularly cleaning your vinyl siding restores its shine and helps you protect your investment. It has all about long-term appearance and performance.
Here is the good news: You can totally do it yourself without a bunch of heavy lifting or excessive spending. Your friends at Siding and More Construction Company have you covered with a few DIY maintenance tips to keep it looking new.
Vinyl Siding Is Not Immune To Buildup
Your car’s paint job may be perfect. The grout on your kitchen floor still has that finished look. Even your new windows are streak-free. But that does not mean they will stay that way forever. At some point, dirt, grime, mildew, and other substances will accumulate on the surface of these and other materials/possessions and need to be rinsed off or wiped down. The same applies to your vinyl siding. Yes, it looks great. Yes, it has been designed to last 30, 40, and even 50 years. However, that is all assuming it is adequately maintained along the way.
Just a few of the benefits of regularly cleaning your vinyl siding include:
- Keep your siding looking brand-new
- Catch small issues early
- Prevent costly repairs later
- Extend the siding’s lifespan
- Maintain energy efficiency
- Deter pests
Experts typically recommend cleaning vinyl siding at least once a year. This is especially true if you have a lot of trees around your home and live in an area that experiences significant weather patterns. Hello, North Texas! In those instances, you may need to clean it twice a year.
The good news is that with a few simple DIY tips, you can keep your vinyl siding looking new year-round.
Here is a concise yet effective checklist to help you get started with DIY tips to keep your vinyl siding looking new.
1. Give it a quick wash
Depending on the size and layout of your home, you may not be able to reach every nook and cranny of your vinyl siding. That said, you are likely to cover most of it by simply grabbing a garden hose to clear away dirt, pollen, and mildew. Make sure to set it on a low setting, and do not feel like you have to dedicate the entire day to this task. Often, this light wash prevents long-term staining and mold growth.
2. Mix in a gentle cleaning solution
To piggyback on the first tip, it is perfectly fine to mix in mild dish soap with warm water before you start washing. For problem spots like mildew, add one part white vinegar to three parts water. This natural solution works wonders without damaging vinyl siding.
3. Scrub stubborn areas
If you notice extra buildup of dirt and grime in certain spots that you can also safely reach, use a gentle brush to lightly scrub the affected area. Rinse each area again before moving on.
4. Do a quick visual inspection for signs of pests
Many pests, such as squirrels, raccoons, and rats, are relentless and could find a soft spot somewhere. Look in the corners of the siding and under the eaves for potential damage. Examples might include small holes, chipped edges, scratch marks, and nest activity.
Experts typically recommend cleaning vinyl siding at least once a year. This is especially true if you have a lot of trees around your home and live in an area that experiences significant weather patterns. In those instances, you may need to clean it twice a year.
5. Check caulking and seals
A quick summer maintenance strategy any homeowner can do is to make sure the areas of your Dallas siding that wrap around windows and doors are still sealed tightly. Reapply caulk where needed to keep water and pests out, while also reducing the chance of having loose panels.
6. Inspect for other visible signs of damage
Though extremely unlikely with vinyl siding, cracks, warping, and loose panels are common with poor installation techniques. Dallas weather, in general, is also equally as relentless as pests, especially during the winter and spring, with wind, hail, cold temperatures, and rain. You may also want to look for damage caused by nearby trees and bushes. Overgrown limbs that have scratched or damaged siding should be trimmed back as quickly as possible.
7. Repaint or touch up small areas, if necessary
If you didn’t choose vinyl siding and instead went with wood, fiber cement, or another siding material with your past installation, now is the time to check for areas that have faded or are starting to peel after a harsh winter, up and down spring, and scorching summer.
8. When in doubt, call a professional
There will be instances where you can’t do light maintenance on your vinyl siding. Perhaps the areas that need to be reached are simply too high and challenging to reach on your own. Perhaps the cleaning you need requires light power washing, and you are not comfortable doing that alone. For these and many other reasons, it may be time to call in a professional.
Replacing older wood siding or another type of siding material (e.g., aluminum, fiber cement siding, stucco, or brick) with vinyl siding could be the final exterior upgrade your home needs to be the envy of the neighborhood in terms of both appearance and functionality. It also saves you money and upkeep in the long run and sets you up for a significant return should you decide to sell your home someday.
Have the Best Vinyl Siding with Siding and More Construction Company
You made a wise choice when you chose Siding and More Construction Company to install your new siding. You made an even better decision choosing vinyl siding for your replacement. Vinyl siding is one of the most popular siding materials in the world for a reason, mostly because it promises to meet expectations for many years to come.
Additionally, you have a wide range of options to choose from when it comes to textures, colors, and other variables that make your home uniquely yours. That said, you need to maintain it year-round to keep it looking brand new. With North Texas being a hotbed for some extreme weather patterns, there are a few tips and tricks you can follow now to ensure your vinyl siding is in the best possible shape to withstand scorching heat, humidity, ice, snow, and constant rain. If you aren’t sure what you are looking for and need professional guidance, we can help with a professional inspection.
Investing in high-quality vinyl siding for your Dallas home provides a durable, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing exterior. For the best results, opt for UV-resistant options like those from Ply Gem, ensuring your home stays protected and beautiful for decades. At Siding and More Construction Company, we offer a wide range of vinyl siding options tailored to withstand the Texas climate. With 40+ years of experience in the Dallas area, Siding and More Construction Company is one of the best siding contractors around.
Our experts are ready to help you select the ideal siding for your home, ensuring its durability and enhancing its curb appeal.
Ask for consultation to discover how we can enhance your home’s exterior. To get started, call us at 972-636-3513 or contact us for a free estimate with the form below.
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Siding and More Construction Company serves the North Texas area including these cities in the Greater Dallas metroplex and more: Addison, Allen, Arlington, Canton, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Dallas, Desoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Forney, Garland, Greenville, Lancaster, McKinney, Mesquite, Plano, Richardson, Rockwall, Rowlett, Irving, Terrell, Royse City and nearby areas.
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