Don’t Ignore Your Vinyl Siding Maintenance in Winter
One significant advantage of choosing vinyl siding is its low maintenance requirements. While vinyl is recognized for its durability and longevity, exposure to external elements can still impact its lifespan. Despite the common tendency to neglect house maintenance during winter, adopting a few straightforward practices during this season can contribute to extending the life of your siding.
Why do I need to do this maintenance in the winter?
In the winter months, your house undergoes various changes due to external elements like fluctuating temperatures, snow, rain, hail, and strong winds all of which can adversely impact your siding. When water accumulates on your vinyl, there’s a risk of mold buildup on the house’s side. Additionally, when dirty snow melts off your home, the lingering dirt can affect your siding. While these issues are common, neglecting them can eventually result in costly projects.
How do I clean my vinyl siding?
While winter may not appear to be an ideal time for washing vinyl siding, it is actually better to clean it during the winter than allowing grime to build up for a spring wash. The persistent moisture on your siding during cold winter promotes mold growth, and as the snow melts, the dirt within the snow sticks to your vinyl siding. With each cycle of snowfall and melting, the buildup on your siding becomes substantial, making it a more challenging cleaning task come springtime.
Cleaning siding is a straightforward process. All you need is a long-handled bristle brush and a cleaning solution. You can create your own cleaner by mixing three parts water with one part bleach. If you prefer not to use bleach, you can also make a mixture using 70 percent water and 30 percent white vinegar.
It’s not advisable to use a power washer for cleaning your vinyl siding because the force it generates can trap water beneath the siding or potentially damage it. Moreover, if you’re regularly cleaning your vinyl siding, the additional power of a power washer is unnecessary.
Other Winter Vinyl Siding Tips
To maintain the best appearance of your siding, it’s essential to regularly check your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can lead to overflow, causing dirty water to run down your siding and towards your home’s foundation. Keeping your gutters clear of leaves and debris ensures that rainwater is directed to the downspouts, away from your house. This practice also helps prevent your gutters from becoming clogged with ice in winter as the sun melts water from your roof.
To maintain the appearance of your vinyl siding throughout the year, it’s advisable to cover it when engaging in outdoor construction work, particularly tasks involving concrete, chemicals, or dyes. These substances can lead to discoloration, stains, or other damage to your siding.
When in Doubt, Seek a Professional
Even if you’re conducting regular inspections and cleaning of your vinyl siding, it’s a wise decision to consult a siding expert and have your siding inspected annually by a reputable siding company. These professionals work with siding daily, understanding what to look for and how to effectively address any issues that may arise.
Winter maintenance for vinyl siding is essential to help your house from potential damage caused by the elements. With some regular maintenance and care and following these tips, your vinyl siding can provide protection for your home over the years and through every season. Neglecting your home’s exterior can lead to costly issues in the future.
If you are looking for assistance for your upcoming home renovation project at New America Construction we provide Vinyl Siding estimates for all NJ homeowners.
Call us for more information 973-804-9400
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