Our mission is to help homeowners save money while increasing the value of their houses, so we want to help by equipping you to clean your siding. Just a few minutes of vigilance (and a couple hours of hard work) once a season will protect your home from damage and maintain its curb appeal! Learn how to clean and inspect your siding below.
How to Spot Siding Damage
The worst thing that can happen to your siding is moisture getting inside and behind it. The water (which isn’t visible at first) freezes in winter, expanding and damaging the joints and connections of the siding. Spotting the signs will help ensure that repairs can be made quickly (and cheaply).
Here’s what you’re looking for:
- Cracked caulking
- Expanded caulking pulling away from gaps
- Wood: peeling paint and cracking boards/trim
- Stucco: cracks and chips
- Brick: deteriorating mortar
Once you’ve inspected your siding or had the necessary repairs completed, it’s time to clean.
How to Clean Your Siding for Cheap
Here’s what you’ll need to buy from the nearest hardware store:
- Trisodium phosphate
- Soft-bristle brush with a long handle
First, mix ½ a cup of trisodium phosphate with a gallon of warm water. Once soapy, you’re ready to go.
Second, mentally divide your siding into 10-foot sections. Focusing on one section at a time helps ensure that you’re cleaning thoroughly (and allows you to take breaks and pick up where you left off).
Third, dip the brush and clean from the bottom to the top. Once done, move on to the next section (and repeat until finished).
How to Clean Mildew Off Your Siding
Mildew looks like black, spotted stains that won’t go away no matter how hard you scrub. To see if it’s mildew, dip a cotton ball in some watered-down bleach. If the black spot disappears after touching it with the bleach, it’s mildew.
Mix four parts water to one part bleach, put on a mask and gloves, and scrub the mildew with the soft-bristled brush. Make sure you don’t get the bleach mixture near any plants you want to keep.
With this short guide, you’ll be on your way to protecting your home’s value and appearance for years to come! If you have any questions, call a roofing expert at JM Roofing & Siding today: (203) 299-0716.