Power Washing 101

How would you feel if you had to stand outside 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – regardless of weather, and with very little protective barriers? Very likely, you’d feel like you want to head indoors, which is possibly how your siding would feel if, you know, it could talk.

 

Your home’s exterior has to stand up to the elements and those elements can take a real toll: dirt and other grime build up over time. One way to combat the aging effect weather can have is to power wash.

 

Here are the basics of what you need to know.

 

What is it?

Very simply, power washing is like blasting your car with a really good cleaning after a long winter of salt build up. It’s an efficient way to clean the siding with a powerful stream of water and cleanser.

Why should I?

Depending on where you live, you may need to power wash your home more or less often. In the Northeast, wind and weather blow up pollen, dirt and leaves. Like other regions, we’re also susceptible to insect nests and spider webs.

 Sure, but when?

No one wants to do too much outdoors during New England winters other than ski. Fall is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, but probably not to power wash, given the falling leaves. Here, the best time to give the siding a good cleaning is during summer when the weather is sunny but the pollen has passed. It’s a great way to prepare your home for the coming seasons.

 

What if a cleaning isn’t enough?

It may be time to replace the siding if there’s damage beyond unsightly grime. Damage good include dents, cracks, rotting or warping in several areas. While a replacement might not be top on your home improvement wish list, there are several advantages. It will help retain your home’s value, curb appeal and refresh the color. Additionally, the new siding may be lower maintenance than the prior.