Comments on: How to Clean Siding http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-siding/ Wed, 23 May 2012 00:36:49 +0000 hourly 1 By: UglinessSentinel http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-siding/#comment-78095 UglinessSentinel Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:40:57 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/outside/how-to-clean-siding/#comment-78095 I was amused to read that asphalt siding was "the only thing uglier than asbestos-cement". Vinyl and aluminum have both beaten hands-down when it comes to ugliness. Asbestos-cement is the only one of those 4 that doesn't have any practical disadvantages (it lasts nearly forever, holds paint tenaciously and doesn't flap around much in the wind); it's also not really an imitation of anything else, though the kind with a wavy cut have a slummy connotation to some, mostly elderly, people. Asphalt is probably the silliest looking, especially when it's trying to mimic stone, but at least it's not flapping precariously in mid-air the way aluminum and vinyl do. Unfortunately, the stuff is really flammable, so it should be replaced with something, though the most common fix to this, covering it with vinyl, not only makes it even uglier, but does nothing to mitigate its fire risk. The worst problem with power washing is that people with algae or mold problems are the most likely to resort to it, and the last thing they need is more moisture. There probably are walls that can be safely power washed, but how can you tell that water is not getting in, until it's too late? Also, it's possible for a jet of water to dislodge some of the house wrap under vinyl siding systems, without which the house will be totally unprotected from rain intrusion. I was amused to read that asphalt siding was “the only thing uglier than asbestos-cement”. Vinyl and aluminum have both beaten hands-down when it comes to ugliness. Asbestos-cement is the only one of those 4 that doesn’t have any practical disadvantages (it lasts nearly forever, holds paint tenaciously and doesn’t flap around much in the wind); it’s also not really an imitation of anything else, though the kind with a wavy cut have a slummy connotation to some, mostly elderly, people. Asphalt is probably the silliest looking, especially when it’s trying to mimic stone, but at least it’s not flapping precariously in mid-air the way aluminum and vinyl do. Unfortunately, the stuff is really flammable, so it should be replaced with something, though the most common fix to this, covering it with vinyl, not only makes it even uglier, but does nothing to mitigate its fire risk.
The worst problem with power washing is that people with algae or mold problems are the most likely to resort to it, and the last thing they need is more moisture. There probably are walls that can be safely power washed, but how can you tell that water is not getting in, until it’s too late? Also, it’s possible for a jet of water to dislodge some of the house wrap under vinyl siding systems, without which the house will be totally unprotected from rain intrusion.

]]> By: Davidsen http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-siding/#comment-70968 Davidsen Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:23:36 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/outside/how-to-clean-siding/#comment-70968 I agree completely with George's method described above. My painted cedar shingled house turns dark grey/black in spots and especially on the North side each year. Spraying a clorax/water mixture works miracles in no time. I have used a power washer but one does more harm by tearing the wood than good. I needed to paint over the injured parts. Even more work. So, I highly commend the clorax water spray bottle. Yes, do wear protective eye wear and white clothing ! Is there anything I can apply after the rinse to keep mold from returning ? I agree completely with George’s method described above. My painted cedar shingled house turns dark grey/black in spots and especially on the North side each year. Spraying a clorax/water mixture works
miracles in no time.

I have used a power washer but one does more harm by tearing the
wood than good. I needed to paint over the injured parts. Even more work.

So, I highly commend the clorax water spray bottle.
Yes, do wear protective eye wear and white clothing !

Is there anything I can apply after the rinse to keep mold from returning ?

]]> By: E W http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-siding/#comment-64447 E W Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:48:03 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/outside/how-to-clean-siding/#comment-64447 To make the water bleach mixture from just running down the wall add some dish detergent or car wash soap. This makes the 'water' wet out and stay so the siding can absorb it and kill the mold. To make the water bleach mixture from just running down the wall add some dish detergent or car wash soap. This makes the ‘water’ wet out and stay so the siding can absorb it and kill the mold.

]]> By: George http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-siding/#comment-63522 George Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:52:04 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/outside/how-to-clean-siding/#comment-63522 My cedar siding is stained a light gray, and every year dirt, moisture and mildew create large areas of black grunge, especially on the areas receiving little sun. The rough texture of the siding encourages this and makes it difficult to clean. I spent the better part of today pressure washing one small area, testing various recommended cleaners-- to no avail. It simply removed the loose dirt and lightened the mildew to a medium gray at best, and even exposed the wood in spots where I washed too long or hard. I tried scrubbing with a brush in addition, and it would not budge. I finally resorted to my old standby, chlorine bleach. I took a spray bottle, filled it with bleach and sprayed a fine mist along the siding, trying not to make it drip. Without touching it, the siding quickly turned perfectly clean--right before my eyes! Section by section, I gently misted the siding, waited a minute, then rinsed lightly with a hose. Bleach seems most effective the second it hits a DRY surface, then quickly loses effectiveness. When it drips down, you'll notice it cleans less and less as it travels. Therefore, a very fine mist of fresh bleach along the entire surface kills mildew on contact. It was amazing. I read many warnings on the internet about using bleach, mostly by people selling other products, but nothing works as well or as fast for me. Just a couple cautionary notes: Wear protection and wear white! My cedar siding is stained a light gray, and every year dirt, moisture and mildew create large areas of black grunge, especially on the areas receiving little sun. The rough texture of the siding encourages this and makes it difficult to clean.

I spent the better part of today pressure washing one small area, testing various recommended cleaners– to no avail. It simply removed the loose dirt and lightened the mildew to a medium gray at best, and even exposed the wood in spots where I washed too long or hard. I tried scrubbing with a brush in addition, and it would not budge.

I finally resorted to my old standby, chlorine bleach. I took a spray bottle, filled it with bleach and sprayed a fine mist along the siding, trying not to make it drip. Without touching it, the siding quickly turned perfectly clean–right before my eyes! Section by section, I gently misted the siding, waited a minute, then rinsed lightly with a hose.

Bleach seems most effective the second it hits a DRY surface, then quickly loses effectiveness. When it drips down, you’ll notice it cleans less and less as it travels. Therefore, a very fine mist of fresh bleach along the entire surface kills mildew on contact. It was amazing.

I read many warnings on the internet about using bleach, mostly by people selling other products, but nothing works as well or as fast for me. Just a couple cautionary notes: Wear protection and wear white!

]]> By: John http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-siding/#comment-2635 John Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:37:40 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/outside/how-to-clean-siding/#comment-2635 I have been cleaning surfaces for years with a pressure washer. In the right hands, it is an effective tool to not only apply bleach and surfactants, but also, contrary to this article, a fantastic way to remove both dirt and mildew. PLEASE do not discourage this method of cleaning. It is highly effective and can remove the results of years of neglect. I have been cleaning surfaces for years with a pressure washer. In the right hands, it is an effective tool to not only apply bleach and surfactants, but also, contrary to this article, a fantastic way to remove both dirt and mildew. PLEASE do not discourage this method of cleaning. It is highly effective and can remove the results of years of neglect.

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