Maintaining the exterior of your home is crucial not only for aesthetic appeal but also for the longevity of the materials used. Vinyl siding is a popular choice for many homeowners due to its durability and low maintenance requirements. However, over time, dirt, grime, mold, and mildew can accumulate, necessitating a thorough cleaning. 

If your vinyl siding is looking a little dingy, you might want to pressure wash it, but is it best for your home? At Unlimited Siding, we understand that this might be an appealing cleaning option, but there might be better ways to address debris on your home. If you want to learn whether pressure washing is a reliable way to clean your home, keep reading to see what our team recommends. 

What is Pressure Washing? 

Pressure washing is a reliable cleaning service that incorporates highly pressurized water and cleaning detergents to remove debris from surfaces quickly and efficiently. Most frequently, homeowners will pressure wash their home’s walkways, driveways, fences, patios, and porches, ensuring these frequently trafficked spaces are free from debris that may otherwise blemish their appearance. 

When you pressure wash a surface with a home pressure washing machine, you rely on a PSI of between 1300 and 2400 to quickly rinse away debris. Whether you’re dealing with oil and grease or mold and mildew, pressure washing is a great way to rinse this away and reveal a beautiful surface beneath. 

Can You Pressure Wash Your Siding? 

If you pressure wash surfaces across your home, you might wonder if you can also pressure wash your home’s vinyl siding. Although pressure washing is a great way to clean a variety of surfaces across your home, it may be far too aggressive for your vinyl siding. While your vinyl siding is durable enough to withstand a great deal of wear and tear, pressure washing may apply too much pressure to the surface.

When you choose to use these devices on your siding, you may inadvertently damage your siding. This damage ranges from minor cracks to significant chips and loss of portions of your vinyl siding. With this damage, you may spend a great deal of money on premature repairs to the siding. 

Other, More Reliable Cleaning Options

While pressure washing might not be the most reliable way to clean your home’s vinyl siding, there are a few options to keep it looking its best. If you have a pressure washing machine that allows you to reach lower PSI levels, around 175 PSI, you can consider soft washing your vinyl siding to remove any debris.

Although soft washing provides a significantly lower PSI, it still does a wonderful job of removing tough, stuck-on debris. However, if you don’t have a pressure washer, there are a variety of other ways that you can clean your vinyl siding. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to clean your siding, you can rinse the surface with your garden hose.

However, if you are dealing with more difficult-to-remove debris, you can make a mixture of vinegar and water, and clean the surface with a sponge. This gentle cleaning method can help you remove any dirt, dust, and debris that is blemishing the surface without worrying about it harming the siding materials. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Siding? 

When it comes time to clean your home, you might wonder if you are doing this chore frequently enough. Your vinyl siding professional should provide you with an appropriate cleaning schedule to ensure your home looks its best. However, if they didn’t mention cleaning during the installation process, it is important that you clean your siding at least once a year.

You may find yourself cleaning your home’s vinyl siding more frequently if you’re dealing with extreme weather or mold and mildew growth. By cleaning your home’s vinyl siding at least once a year, you can guarantee that any tough debris doesn’t get the chance to permanently stain your siding, as this may significantly harm the curb appeal of your home. 

Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Siding

Keeping your home’s vinyl siding clean is essential for maintaining the appearance of your home. It is also essential for ensuring the longevity of your siding, keeping you safe from premature replacements. Some of the signs that it might be time for you to clean your siding include:

• Visible Dirt and Grime
• Mold and Mildew Growth
• Discoloration and Stains
• Increased Cobwebs and Insect Activity 
• Pollen Build Up
• Foul Odors
• Water Spots

Replace Old Siding with Unlimited Siding

While cleaning your vinyl siding is a great way to ensure your home looks its best and lasts for its expected lifespan, it will inevitably need to be replaced. If the vinyl siding on your Ogden home is looking a little dingy and cleaning it isn’t enough to restore its appearance, turn to our team at Unlimited Siding for vinyl siding replacement.

For years, our team has provided the most reliable vinyl siding installation to homeowners across the Wasatch Front, making us the perfect choice for your home as well. From vinyl siding to LP SmartSide, our team provides a variety of siding options to meet every homeowner’s unique needs.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team to replace your home’s old vinyl siding or if you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

Vinyl siding is an incredibly popular choice among homeowners due to its durability, versatility, and low maintenance. However, while it is incredibly durable, it is not infallible and may suffer from accidental damage. While you may think you are doing everything in your power to avoid this damage, there are a few common ways this can occur that you might not realize.

At Unlimited Siding, our team understands how important it is for homeowners to protect their homes from any accidental damage. Understanding the common causes of damage to your vinyl siding can help you prevent costly repairs and ensure your home looks pristine. If you want to learn some ways you might inadvertently damage your vinyl siding and tips on how to avoid it, keep reading. 

1. Lawn Care Mishaps

If you use lawn equipment like movers, trimmers, or edgers too close to your home, you may accidentally send flying debris like rocks and sticks into your siding. While you might not realize it, the speed at which this debris is thrown into your home may cause cracks, dents, scratches, and other accidental damage to your siding. 

If you want to avoid this damage, you need to maintain a safe distance from your home’s exterior when using these tools. You may also want to consider using protective guards to minimize the risk of debris being thrown toward your siding. You may also want to consider installing a mulch or stone border between your lawn and your home, which can act as a buffer zone. 

2. Pressure Washing

Pressure washing is a great way to clean the toughest debris off of a variety of surfaces. But, it may not be best for your siding if you want to avoid accidental damage. Using too much pressure can crack, chip, or even dislodge the vinyl panels. High-pressure water can also force water behind the siding, leading to potential mold and mildew growth in and around your home. 

If you need to clean your home, it might be in your best interest to reach out to a trusted power washing company to perform this service. They can ensure they are using the appropriate water pressure to clean your siding without accidentally causing costly damage. Alternatively, if you want to clean your siding yourself, you can invest in a soft brush and mild detergent to treat stains and debris as they form. 

3. Improper Decor Installation

While decorating your home is an important part of portraying your interests, doing so improperly can be harmful to your siding. Hanging decorations, bird feeders, or planters directly onto your siding can create holes or cracks. The weight of heavy objects can also warp or break the siding over time.

If you want to customize the exterior of your home, make sure to use hooks and hangers designed specifically for vinyl siding, which attach without causing accidental damage. You should also avoid hanging overly heavy items and regularly check on these items to ensure the integrity of their mounting. 

4. Poorly Placed Heat Sources

If you enjoy spending a great deal of time outdoors, you may choose to invest in a grill or an outdoor heating source. However, placing grills or fire pits too close to your home’s vinyl siding can cause the siding to warp or melt due to the intense heat. Even reflective surfaces like windows or glass tables can focus sunlight onto the siding, leading to heat damage.

If you want to protect your vinyl from accidental damage, you should keep grills, fire pits, and other heat sources at least 10 feet away from your siding. Use protective barriers or heat shields when necessary. Also, try to be mindful of where reflective surfaces are positioned to avoid concentrated heat exposure.

5. Improper Cleaning Techniques

If your vinyl siding is getting dirty, you might consider cleaning it on your own. Unfortunately, using harsh chemicals or abrasive tools can scratch, discolor, or weaken the vinyl. Over time, this can compromise the siding’s protective coating and make it more susceptible to damage, leading to costly replacements or repairs.

When you prepare to clean your siding, it is best to use a soft cloth or brush and a mild cleaning solution. You should also avoid using steel wool, harsh abrasives, or chemicals that are not designed for vinyl care. You may also want to speak to your vinyl professional about what they recommend using to treat the vinyl to ensure it is safe from accidental damage. 

Address Accidental Damage to Your Vinyl Siding with Unlimited Siding

While you can do everything in your power to protect your vinyl siding, accidents may happen. If you are dealing with accidental damage, it is best to reach out to a reliable vinyl siding company, like Unlimited Siding, for support. Our team has helped homeowners across the Ogden, Utah, area treat and repair vinyl siding, making us the perfect choice for your siding as well. In addition to installing and repairing siding, our team provides soffits and fascia services to ensure your home looks its very best. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about accidental damage your siding has experienced or if you have questions about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

If you’ve recently spotted signs of damage on your home’s vinyl siding, you might consider performing the repairs yourself. You might even think that this is the most convenient way to address the damage. However, DIY vinyl siding repairs might not be the most reliable way to address damage to your home.

At Unlimited Siding, our team understands how appealing the convenience of DIY repairs might seem. However, we also understand how much more reliable professional repairs can be. If you are considering performing DIY vinyl siding repairs but want to learn more about how the benefits of investing in professional repairs, keep reading to learn more. 

DIY Vinyl Siding Repairs

DIY vinyl siding repairs are incredibly convenient for homeowners, allowing you to get the job done when it best fits into your schedule. However, there are a few drawbacks to attempting this project on your own. Some of the benefits and drawbacks of attempting to DIY your siding repairs include: 

The Benefits of DIY Vinyl Siding Repairs

Cost Savings: While you might want to invest in professional repairs, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have the funds to pay for it. If that is the case, performing DIY vinyl siding repairs is a great option to keep your home safe while saving money. You won’t need to invest in the hours your vinyl siding team will be at your home, the tools they may need, and the products necessary to make the repair. Instead, you can rely on what you already have to make the repair without breaking the bank. 

Flexibility: When you choose to perform DIY vinyl siding repairs, you don’t need to worry about working around someone else’s schedule to get the job done. Instead, you can work on the repairs when it fits best with your schedule. If you do this yourself, you don’t need to worry about taking time off of work to be present when the team arrives. When you perform DIY repairs, you can focus on this task over the weekend, in the evening after work, or when your friends and family are available to help. 

The Drawbacks of DIY Vinyl Siding Repairs

Lack of Expertise: Although performing DIY vinyl siding repairs on your own may save you time and money, you likely don’t have the expertise that a team of professionals has. Without the proper expertise, you may find yourself going through a great deal of trial and error to get it done right. It may also take you several days or weeks to figure out how to properly make these repairs. This lack of expertise may also lead to repeat problems or premature wear and tear of your home’s siding materials, costing you more time and money in the long run. 

Safety Risks: Performing DIY vinyl siding repairs might be a relatively easy process if you have a one-story home. However, as your home gets taller, the risk of performing these repairs on your own continues to grow. You may need to climb a ladder or get on your roof to reach the damaged patches of vinyl. This can be dangerous if you are unsteady on your feet, don’t have the appropriate tools to reach higher levels of your home, or have no experience performing these repairs. If that is the case, relying on the professionals may be a better option. 

Professional Siding Repairs

Working with a team of professionals almost certainly guarantees that the job will be done right the first time around. However, in some situations, it isn’t the best option for homeowners. Some of the benefits and drawbacks of investing in professional vinyl siding repairs include: 

The Benefits of Professional Repairs

Quality Work: Working for a vinyl siding company comes with a great deal of training before you are allowed to perform repairs and replacements on homes. When you turn to the professionals for your vinyl siding repairs, you can trust that you’re going to get a quality product when the job is done. You won’t need to worry about recurring damage to the same spot, inadequately performed repairs, or an inability to repair the spot. Your professionals have the experience necessary to make a variety of repairs. No matter how big or small, your team will know how to help. 

Time and Convenience: While you may need to repair your vinyl siding, that doesn’t mean you have the time to get the job done. Whether you’re balancing work and other household responsibilities or you are focusing on school, friends, and family, finding time to perform your repairs may be easier said than done. When you work with the professionals, you don’t need to worry about making time. They have the time to get the repair done in a timely manner, allowing you to return your attention to the things that matter most to you. 

The Drawbacks of Professional Repairs

Higher Upfront Cost: You aren’t always going to be prepared for the cost of repairing your home’s vinyl siding. If the damage to your siding is more substantial than you initially realize or it occurs very suddenly, like as a result of inclement weather, you may not have the money set aside to invest in professional repairs. With their expertise comes an increase in the cost of repairs. The more experienced your vinyl siding company is, the more these repairs may cost. If you want reliable repairs but don’t have the funds, professional repairs might not be the best option for you. 

Scheduling Constraints: Even though you’re ready for vinyl siding repairs, your vinyl siding company may not be available just yet. When you choose to work with a professional, you have to wait until there are openings in their schedule to get the job done. If you need repairs during their busier seasons of the year, like spring and fall, you may find that you have to wait several weeks before they can come out to perform your repairs. This means that when an opening comes up, you may have to skip out on other responsibilities to ensure the job gets done. 

Reliable Siding Repairs in Ogden, Utah

If you want to avoid the problems that may accompany DIY vinyl siding repairs, turn to our team at Unlimited Siding. For over two decades, our team has provided reliable vinyl siding installation and repairs to homes across the Ogden, Utah, area. Whether you have vinyl siding, LP SmartSide, or Board and Batten, our team is equipped to care for it all. If you need to schedule repairs for your home’s siding, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.