How to Maintain Your Home’s Vinyl Siding

It is very important to maintain the exterior features of your home. This maintenance does not only help to keep your home attractive, but it also protects your home’s exterior against external elements. To make sure that everything remains safe in your home, you need to maintain your sidings regularly. Sidings can be made of a variety of materials, with each type having its own way of being maintained. Some sidings are easier to maintain than others.

Vinyl is one such material that is used for home sidings. It is a very attractive material that is easy to clean and maintain. Vinyl is also a durable material. However, no matter how easy it might seem, it still requires some special kind of care and maintenance. Cleaning is an important requirement because your home is under constant attack from nature itself. Climatic factors such as heavy winds, freezing temperature, rain, heat, ice, and snow can affect your home’s vinyl sidings. Aside from these, dirt and stain can dull its appearance. Molds, spider webs, and pollen are other materials that can also dim the luster of your home’s vinyl sidings. So, regular cleaning and maintenance of the siding will help prolong its life and the protection it offers your home.

Care and Maintenance of Vinyl Siding

As stated earlier, vinyl siding is low-maintenance. There is no other siding material whose maintenance and care is as low as vinyl. Color fading is usually not a problem with vinyl siding since the colors are baked into the panel when they are manufactured. With the wood grain finishes, it can also take the appearance of wood. It has a backing made of foam, which makes it an energy-efficient material. This foam backing prevents hot or cool air from escaping from within the house. If the siding is struck by an external impact, such as weather or kids at play, the foam backing absorbs the shock, which in turn prevents the formation of dents on the siding. Vinyl also offers resistance to warping and rotting. It is made to withstand problems that may occur from moisture. The growth of mold is also less likely since there is no wood rotting. However, it can crack or break. To keep it in perfect condition, you can trim trees and shrubs away near the house, so that they do not spoil the appearance of the exterior material. You may have to replace it if a part becomes badly damaged.

Generally, vinyl is a reliable and cost-effective form of exterior siding. It is good for new homes and rental properties. Its maintenance is a very easy process. Here is how to maintain it:

1. Inspect regularly:

Even though vinyl is resistant to pests and rots, it can get cracked or warped. Moisture can also be trapped underneath if it is loose or not properly installed. This is most common in windy areas. So, regular inspection is needed to be sure there are no loose spots that can cause a larger issue.

2. Wash annually:

Siding collects dirt and other stains all through the year. There could also be the growth of mold in damp and shady areas. All you need to rinse the dirt and dust from your vinyl siding is a garden hose. You can also clean it using a soft bristle brush, a sponge, a mild detergent, and a bucket. To avoid streaking, start at the bottom and work your way up. To easily extend your reach, you may use a car wash brush with a long handle. For buildings that have a second or more floor and other harder-to-reach places, you can use a pressure washer.  It makes light the cleaning of your vinyl siding. The pressure washer will help you to break up dirt and get rid of the more difficult stains. However, you should make sure that the pressure washer is set at low pressures to damage to the material or injury to someone. You should also cover the face of the brick so that it is not affected by the runoff. You can also use plastic tarps to cover up any nearby plants. Rinse the surface with clear water after scrubbing. It is very important to also pick a cloudy day when cleaning so that the sun does not vaporize the solution causing water blots. Do this once a year to keep your vinyl looking good.

3. Keep damaging elements away:

Though vinyl siding will not dent, but it can crack or break. Heavy-duty items like mowers or even bicycles can cause damage to your vinyl if there are repeated impacts. Your vinyl can also melt from frequent exposure to heat from grills and barbecues. So keep these kinds of items several meters away from your sliding. If it gets damaged anyway, do well to replace it as soon as possible.

4. Paint as needed:

Normally, color fading is usually not a problem with vinyl siding, but it can lose freshness over time. If you do not like the color or think painting is needed, use exterior latex paint of high quality. Choose a color such as light gray or white. Darker colors will permeate due to the sun's heat, which may result in warping. But bear in mind that if you need to paint your siding, you will need to periodically repaint it too.

Conclusion

Of all available sliding materials, vinyl siding is the easiest to maintain. Because of its industrial composite, it basically cares for itself. However, proper care and maintenance are the keys to your vinyl sliding being durable, long-lasting, and attractive. In the United States, it is the top siding option for new constructions and remodeling. Its main selling quality is due to its special value, unmatched low-cost maintenance, elegant appearance, and outstanding strength. As you may have understood, you can help keep your vinyl at its best with little maintenance effort. Vinyl siding is also a wonderful option for keeping your home attractive, as well as protecting it from external elements. Doing simple maintenance tasks on your vinyl siding will help keep your home looking fresh and modern for many years to come.