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By Jana Ward
Chances are, whether you
live in a condominium, townhouse or single-family home, vinyl siding
is probably in use somewhere on your home. According to NAHB
research, approximately 39 percent of new homes built in 2000
utilized vinyl siding in some fashion. That 39 percent figure was
the same for homes built in 1999, where it peaked after five years
of steady increase.
Vinyl siding
is a durable, low-maintenance material that is both attractive and
cost-efficient, which makes it a popular choice for the exteriors of
homes. One-third of all respondents in NAHB’s “What 21st
Century Home Buyers Want” preferred vinyl siding as the
cost-efficient exterior material for the back and sides of their
homes and nearly one-fourth of all respondents preferred it as the
material for the front of their
homes.
Despite its high
durability, the vinyl siding on your home is exposed daily to the
harsh effects of the elements, but some simple periodic cleaning and
maintenance will help keep it looking great. The Vinyl Siding
Institute (VSI) recommends the following
techniques:
CLEANING
Wash vinyl siding
with a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled, soft bristle brush. For
textured surfaces, use only a soft bristle brush to avoid smearing
stains into the grooves of the texture. To prevent streaking from
soap and water running down the house during cleaning, start at the
bottom of the wall and work up. Rinse the cleaning solution with
water before it dries. If your home has brick facing, cover the
brick so that it is not affected by the runoff.
Vinyl siding can be
washed with a power washer, although you should read the washer
instructions thoroughly before use. When cleaning, hold the power
washer straight at eye level. Do not aim the power washer upward, as
the water may collect behind the siding, leak later, and produce
streaks or could remain and cause decay.
Small spots of mold
and mildew can be handled with cleaners such as Fantastik® or
Windex®. For larger sections, a solution of vinegar (30 percent) and
water (70 percent) has proven successful. Alternatively, you also
could try the following solution: 1/3 cup (2 2/3 ounces) powdered
laundry detergent, 2/3 cup (5 1/3 ounces) powdered household cleaner
(e.g., Spic & Span®, Soilax®, or equivalent), 1 quart (32 fluid
ounces) liquid laundry bleach, and 1 gallon (128 fluid ounces) of
water.
Be sure to spot
check any general or stain specific cleaner before using it on a
large section of siding. After removing the stain, rinse thoroughly
with water. Do not use cleaners containing organic solvents,
undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish
remover, or furniture polish or cleaners. They can affect the
surface of the siding.
General cleaners
such as Simple Green®, Nice & Easy®, Armor All®, or the
equivalent can be used to clean dirt, bird droppings, and spider
webs. Cleaners such as Fantastik®, Lestoil®, Murphy’s Oil Soap®,
Windex® or the equivalent can remove some stains such as bubble gum,
crayon, oil-based caulk, felt-tip pen, grass stain, lithium grease,
motor oil or rust. Try cleaners such as Soft Scrub® or the
equivalent for pencil or paint*.
Rinse all cleaners
with water before they dry.
MAINTENANCE
To protect vinyl
siding from discoloration, cover it when using stains, sealants, and
wet concrete as part of home renovation projects. To avoid potential
staining from insecticides or herbicides, consult the product labels
and/or the insecticide or herbicide manufacturer before
applying.
Vinyl siding is made
from organic materials and will melt or burn when exposed to a
significant heat source. Home and building owners should always take
precautions to keep fire sources (e.g., barbeque grills) and
combustible materials (e.g., dry leaves, mulch, trash) away from
vinyl siding.
The typical heat
distortion temperature of vinyl siding is approximately 160 F to 165
F. When temperatures reach these levels, the siding is likely to
distort. Reflected or radiated heat sources can include windows,
roofing, pavement, and certain underlayments. Installing screens and
awnings and planting bushes or other landscaping can alleviate
reflections or radiation.
If a vinyl siding
panel is permanently stained or otherwise damaged, it is easily
replaceable. Place an "unlocking" tool behind the bottom of the
panel above the panel to be replaced and unzip it from the lock of
the damaged panel. Gently bend out the upper panel and remove the
nails from the damaged panel. Remove the damaged panel. Lock on the
new panel and nail it up. Use the unlocking tool again to zip the
upper panel over the lock on the new panel. VSI produces a
“Vinyl Siding Installation
How-To Guide” that can provide further instruction on this
topic.
If you wish to paint
your vinyl siding, consult with your vinyl siding manufacturer
first. Many manufacturers void their warranties if the siding is
painted.
Finally, if you are
replacing your vinyl siding or building a new home, be sure to check
if your product has been independently certified for quality
assurance through the Vinyl Siding Institute. The better your
product is, the better it will stand up to the tests of time,
weather, heat and impact.
For more information
on vinyl siding, visit the Vinyl Siding Institute’s Web site at
www.vinylsiding.org. If you are looking for a
licensed contractor or supplier to install vinyl siding on your
home, contact the Greater San Antonio Builders Association at
696-3800 and ask for a free copy of the Remodelors® Council
Directory.
*SPI, VSI, GSABA, and
NAHB do not endorse products or processes and make no warranties for
the products referenced herein. Reference to proprietary names is
for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to imply that
there are not equally effective
alternatives. | 