Before you call a siding contractor in Richmond to install vinyl siding, you should be well aware of the amount of effort you will need to put in so as to preserve the look of it for years to come. Cleaning and maintenance are a big part of home ownership, that includes the inside and outside of your home.

If you are planning on putting up vinyl siding, you will need to conduct routine cleaning and inspections to make sure nothing can damage the siding material you’ve chosen to add to your home.

The good news is that you can keep your vinyl siding looking new through a variety of methods and measures that will ensure the exterior of your home maintains its curb appeal and resale value.

Regular Cleanings

Vinyl siding only needs to be cleaned once a year. So we’re already talking about performing the requisite maintenance on annual basis. But while you should do it just one time each year, you need to be sure you’re doing everything right. Once a year is all you need, you could actually damage the material if you clean it too much.

How you go about performing the work is entirely up to you. You can get the old bucket and brush or rent a power-washer to really get the dirt out of all those nooks and crannies.

The Right Cleaner

Since you’re taking the time to clean your vinyl siding so it always looks brand new, you should be sure you’re using the right cleaner for the job. That’s because there are options available on the market that could end up damaging your vinyl siding material in the process of trying to clean it.

When the time comes to select the best choice, be sure you read all of those labels first. Commercial options that contain undiluted chlorine bleach, organic solvents, liquid grease remover, furniture polish, or other abrasive ingredients must not be used on your vinyl material. Opt instead for more gentle options that won’t do any damage.

These typically contain warm water, some percentage of white vinegar, or other organic materials that you can probably find lying around the house.

Inspect Your Siding

The reason we do this is to locate any damage on the siding. This can help you find any cracks, fractures, or missing paint so you may repair these issues. Damaged vinyl siding will never look brand new. But it can also allow you to protect the siding from sustaining any water damage when you rinse and soak the materials with a hose or a power-washer.

You don’t water seeping behind the siding and getting into your home. That can lead to flooding or other types of water damage that can be very difficult and expensive to clean and repair.

How to Perform the Work

Ask any homeowner and he or she will have their own unique way of cleaning the vinyl siding on their home. But there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. If you’ve decided to use the power-washer, then the general rule of thumb is to start from the top and work your way down.

That’s because the water will drip and run down the siding, you wouldn’t do it the opposite way because then the dirty water will cascade over areas you’ve already cleaned.

If you’ve decided to go with a brush, use only a soft-bristle option and clean the siding in segments. With this method you can start from the bottom and move up, just the opposite of using the power-washer. Watch out that you don’t leave behind any streaks and be sure to thoroughly rinse each segment before moving on to the next one.

Be Careful!

Lastly, be sure to move any possible hazards or dangers away from your siding so as to avoid it getting damaged from various potential impacts. Anything hitting the material with great velocity could crack the siding.

So try to keep from letting rocks or other objects collide into the vinyl. If you have kids, have them play further away from the exterior of the house so they don’t throw or kick anything into it by mistake.

You should also assess the state of your landscaping and take measures to avoid letting tree branches or sticks scratch or crack the siding. Keep common yard chemicals from coming into contact with the vinyl either. These can discolor or stain your vinyl material.

Vinyl is also susceptible to heat damage which means you may want to relocate your barbecue grill so it’s not positioned too closely to the side of the home.