The Do's and Don'ts of Vinyl Siding Maintenance

One of the greatest advantages of vinyl siding is that it requires minimal maintenance. But it doesn't mean that you shouldn't take care of it. Siding and roofing contractors Henderson Roofing share the do's and don'ts of vinyl siding maintenance.

The Do's

• Clean Your Siding Regularly Make it a point to clean your vinyl siding once a year, ideally during springtime. Unless otherwise stated by your siding contractor, all you need to clean your siding is a garden hose. Use a soft brush with a telescoping handle for those hard-to-reach corners.

• Clean Your Siding Properly In case of stubborn stains, mix a quarter cup of dish soap for every four gallons of water. Use the same soft brush to scrub the stains out. Make sure the water is spraying on the siding in a downward direction or the water may get under the siding where it won't easily dry out.

• Perform Regular Inspections Siding and roof replacement contractors like us recommend inspecting your siding twice a year. Keep an eye out for cracked, warped and loose siding. Softly but firmly tap sections using an elongated tool, such as a screwdriver. If parts fall out, dry rot may already have set, which may necessitate siding replacement soon.

The Don'ts

• Allow Dirt to Accumulate more than a few homeowners make the mistake of assuming that vinyl siding requires absolutely no maintenance. This is not true; while dirt doesn't infiltrate vinyl, it still stays on the surface and you will need to clean it off. Fortunately, as described above, keeping vinyl siding clean is easy.

• Paint Vinyl Siding Yourself Vinyl siding has molded-in colors which, in most cases, is enough. However, if you must paint it, there are specific instructions on how to do so. The outer surface should be cleaned and primed before any painting is done. When in doubt, consult a painting professional. Also, check your warranty terms and conditions, as painting the siding may void your warranty.

• Let Plants Get Too Close Keep the shrubbery near the siding trimmed. Twigs and branches may poke into the siding and cause scratches or even cracks, which may expose the exterior wall to moisture intrusion.

Henderson Roofing is your leading provider of siding installation and roof leak repair services. Give us a call at (401) 622-0076 (Rhode Island) and (860) 910-1811 (Connecticut). You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.