Your home’s siding is one of the first things people will notice about it, whether they are coming to visit you or simply driving by. If your siding is dirty or covered with debris, it will greatly decrease the curb appeal of your entire property. Therefore, keeping your siding clean and tidy is extremely important if you take pride in the appearance of your home, which you undoubtedly do! As you read this brief guide, you will learn how to clean several common materials off of your siding effectively and efficiently.
How to remove dirt
There are a number of ways dirt can settle on your siding. Most commonly, however, storms and high winds blow dirt from the ground onto your house. Since both North Carolina and South Carolina regularly experience wet, windy weather, homes throughout this region frequently need to have dirt cleaned off of them. Fortunately, the process is not difficult.
All you need to remove dirt from your home’s siding is water and, if you so choose, a mild soap. Use a brush or a rag to work your way from top to bottom, one section at a time. This will help you easily keep track of where you’ve already cleaned since it can be challenging to tell when you are so close to the siding boards. When you’re finished cleaning, spray the house with a garden hose.
How to remove grease or oil
Grease and oil can get onto siding from dirty fingers and hands, often when someone is working on a car and rests his or her hands against the house. Luckily, this type of grime is not hard to remove with the right solution. All you need is a mixture of gentle soap and water and a sponge or soft cloth, such as a chamois. As you clean the dirty area of your siding, make sure you regularly rinse your cloth to avoid putting the oil or grease right back onto your home. Again, rinse the section with a garden hose when you’re through with your task.
How to remove mold
Mold growing on siding is not only unsightly but can be a major red flag. Mold always equals moisture, so there’s a good chance that your siding has water pooling underneath of it if you notice mold or mildew. Although you should certainly clean the affected area, it’s also a good idea to have a reliable contractor inspect your house to make sure your siding doesn’t need to be replaced entirely to avoid further problems.
To remove mold and mildew, you will again need a sponge or soft cloth and, in this case, a mold-specific cleaning agent. You will probably have to scrub the siding fairly vigorously to remove the mold. Afterward, once again, the section should be rinsed thoroughly with a garden hose.
If you have any questions about cleaning your siding or about potentially investing in new siding, the team at Hatch Homes can assist you. We are passionate about siding and want to make sure your home looks as good as it possibly can! Whatever your siding needs are, we’re here to help!