How To Avoid Siding Damage When House Washing Your Hampden Home
When you look around for information about how to avoid siding damage when house washing your Hampden, MA house, you'll see some conflicting information about pressure washing, using bleach to treat algae, and what works best to clean the siding.
The problem is that most people looking for house washing tips have never done it before. They don't know how to properly handle a pressure washer or use detergents or chemicals like bleach.
As a pressure washing company who provides house washing services, we want to help local homeowners to avoid siding damage.
We understand there are plenty of folks who like to DIY and that not everyone will choose our experts for service! Whether you plan to hire a Hampden house washing pro or do the work yourself, here are some tips you'll want to know about house washing for your home.
Soft Washing – The Only Method Approved by Siding Manufacturers
Soft washing is the only house washing method that is approved by siding manufacturers. If you read your warranty information, you'll see specific recommendations on how to clean your siding. Unfortunately, only some roof cleaning and house washing professionals use the soft washing method.
Pressure washing damage is a real problem that can void your siding warranty. It's always best to follow the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures just in case you need to file a claim. Even if your siding isn't under any type of warranty, you don't want to damage it.
Soft washing is approved for house washing all types of siding:
- Vinyl Siding
- Aluminum Siding
- Wood Siding
- Brick Siding
- Stone Siding
- Metal Composite Siding
- Faux Brick & Stone Siding
- Fiber Cement Siding
- James Hardie Siding
Pressure Washing Can Damage Your Hampden House
To avoid damaging your Hampden home's siding while house washing, never use a pressure washer. Pressure washing can and often does cause siding damage.
- Can leave permanent streaking on vinyl siding
- Can dent vinyl siding and aluminum siding
- Can destroy plants and the landscape
- Loosens the mortar on brick or stone siding
- Can break windows, loosen or remove glass seals
- Penetrates cracks, unsealed joints, and loose joints
- Water can get underneath the siding and saturate the walls
- Can chip old lead paint – toxic paint chips!
- Can peel paint off the siding surface
- Digs out wood particles or gouges surface
- Can hurt you! Wear safety glasses and never point nozzle at yourself or anyone else!
How to Get Rid of Algae During House Washing
Removing and preventing algae growth is an important part of house washing. Algae leaves green or black stains on the siding of most Hampden homes, so it is always a battle to get rid of it and keep it from growing back.
The best way to get rid of algae and prevent its growth is to use an algaecide during the house washing process. The best way to use an algaecide is to mix it in a solution with a biodegradable house washing detergent. We mix our commercial soft washing solution together, so we make sure it contains the appropriate amount of algaecide and detergent.
Our house washing solution will kill the algae at the roots. It will prevent algae from growing on the siding again for months at a time.
Always Protect Electrical Panels & Meters
Never clean electrical panels and meters or outdoor outlets when house washing. These areas should be protected before you begin house washing no matter what method you are using to do the job.
Protecting Sensitive Plants and Landscape
Sensitive plants that are located around your Hampden house should be covered with plastic, upside down garbage cans or buckets, or anything else you want to use to protect them.
When we provide our house washing service, we make sure that the landscape near the house is watered first. Although we use a biodegradable soft washing solution, wetting the turf first is just an extra precaution we take to protect the grass from absorbing too much detergent.
