When it comes to taking care of your vinyl siding, often times what you DON’T do is just as important as what you DO end up doing. Here at Stay Dry Roofing of Indianapolis, we offer a range of services for a homeowner in the area- including help with siding. One of the most common types of residential siding today is vinyl and it is still used in more than 30-40% of new home constructions and home renovations. Vinyl siding has come a long way and like everything else in life, early problems have been addressed and improvements have been made that still put this siding option at the top of the list for many homeowners in the area.
“At first, vinyl siding was prone to cracking and warping, but advances in the 1970s re-engineered the product to make it much as it is today—weatherproof, insect-proof, fade-resistant and under normal conditions, virtually indestructible. Some manufacturers, such as Mastic, offer vinyl siding that can resist wind speeds up 240 miles per hour. Of all types of home siding, vinyl has the cheapest installed cost, according to the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI). In fact, its durability and low price point have helped make vinyl siding the most popular exterior cladding choice in America” (Bob Vila). Thanks to its many benefits and with the use of these easy vinyl siding tips, you can take care of your siding and keep it looking great for years to come.
Taking Care of Your Siding
Once you have new siding, you want to keep it looking its best and you will want to protect your investment. That is where our siding experts can help! Stay Dry Roofing has long been the go-to team for all siding needs in the Indianapolis area. Here are five things that you should avoid in order to keep your home’s siding looking its best for years to come:
Avoid Painting Over the Siding With Exterior Paints
Painting your vinyl siding may seem like a good way to keep its color bright and fresh or n easy way to change the color of your home quickly. However, it is a bad idea in every way and will end up damaging the aesthetics of the building in the long run. Vinyl siding is known to expand and contract in response to changing temperatures outside and this can lead to cracking and peeling of the outer layer of the siding. Painting vinyl siding in the summer months may show no real issues but as soon as the temperatures drop in the winter the pain can start to crack and peel and bubble. Not only that but painting your vinyl the wrong color may affect the longevity of the siding by causing it to warp and deteriorate faster than it would normally. Premium quality vinyl siding is made to hold its color for years and should not fade or discolor unevenly. If it does check into the warranty that came wot the installation and if you are ready for new siding, call in the experts at Stay Dry Roofing to help you determine what the best siding choices are for you.
Good Vinyl Siding Care Tips Means No Harsh Chemicals
Vinyl siding is exposed to a lot day in and day out and over time it can get coated and discolored. Cleaning is needed on a regular basis in order to keep it looking its absolute best. Dirt, cobwebs, pollen, dust, grass stain, mold, mildew, stains or any other unsightly residue can build up over time. These detract from the curb appeal and leave your home’s exterior looking tired and untidy. When homeowners want to clean their siding and restore its beauty, they often ask us for vinyl siding care tips and cleaning pointers. The single best thing you can do is to avoid the use of harsh chemicals and cleaners that have solvents, beach, or other harsh ingredients. These products can potentially damage the surface of the siding by stripping pain, discoloring the material, dissolving waterproofing sealers, and speeding the decomposition process. When using any cleaning solution on vinyl siding, it is a good idea to stay simple and start with warm water and basic mixes of water and soap or vinegar. If you do use a commercial cleaning product, do a test clean on a small area first.
Don’t Use Abrasive Cleaning Tools and Materials
Items like steel wool, wire brushes, and paint scrapers may seem like a good way to scrub stubborn dirt and stains off your siding. But once again, this is an example of a seemingly good idea that can have very damaging results for your siding. These types of abrasive materials can leave permanent scratches, fade paint layers, expose under layers to the elements, cause discoloration, and even cause puncture marks in your siding. Any hard, abrasive, and stiff cleaning material or tool should be avoided when trying to clean a home’s exterior. Although it may take more time and require the use of a good bit of elbow grease, the Stay Dry Roofing team recommends cleaning your vinyl siding with a soft rag and sponges. This helps to avoid possible damages to your siding and is one of the most common problems we see from homeowners who mean well but did not know about this important vinyl siding care tip. If your siding is overly stained and discolored it may be time to replace it. Our team can help you get your home looking great without the wasted time and energy of useless scrubbing.
If Choose to Power Wash, Keep it Level at All Times
If the siding on your home has been neglected for quite a while and needs a little muscle to get it cleaned, you may need to step things up a notch. Using a power washer can go a long way in getting the job done much quicker. However, it is important to be smart and safe when using the power washer- not just for your own safety but the safety of your siding. When using a power washer, it is of the utmost importance that you keep the stream of water at eye level as you spray. This is in order to ensure the water does not get behind the siding. If you spray at an angle, water can get behind the siding and seep into the insulation and walls of the home where it can cause massive damage. If too much moisture builds up mold can develop, insulation can rot, wood beams can warp, and the siding itself can be knocked loose by the pressure of the spray. It is recommended that you hire a professional to clean your siding. As one of the vinyl siding care tips we recommend to all of our customers, the Stay Dry Roofing team can take care of this for you so make sure you reach out to us for your siding care and cleaning needs!
Keep Your Grill at a Safe Distance From Your Home
Summer is here and the means backyard BBQ and a lot more time cooking on the grill. While this is a great time to be with family and friends, you need to make sure your grill is not too close to your home while cooking out. It should be more than 10 feet away from your home’s exterior because even though vinyl siding will catch fire at around 730°F (387°C), BBQ’s can reach temperatures up to 600°F (315°C) easily. This can lead to severe damage to your home’s exterior, including warping and melting. “ Five out of six (82%) grills involved in home fires were fueled by gas, while 14% used charcoal or other solid fuel. Gas grills were involved in an average of 7,900 home fires per year, including 3,300 structure fires and 4,700 outdoor fires annually. Leaks or breaks were primarily a problem with gas grills. Twelve percent of gas grill structure fires and 24% of outside gas grill fires were caused by leaks or breaks. Charcoal or other solid-fuel grills were involved in 1,300 home fires per year, including 600 structure fires and 700 outside fires annually.” (NFPA). Be smart with the grill and keep your home safe!
Contact Us For Vinyl Siding Care Tips
To learn more about how you can keep your siding looking great year after year, call Stay Dry Roofing of Indianapolis today! Our team of experts has years of experience with vinyl siding, installation, and care and we can help you with all of your cleaning and maintenance needs. If you are looking for more vinyl siding care tips to use on your home, call us today and schedule a free consultation with our team. We can help you develop a customized care and maintenance plan that is just right for you and your home. Call us now to get started and to see for yourself how easy it is to have the best looking home on the street!