No matter how beautiful your siding, decking, roof and windows are, they still need to be cleaned regularly. That’s because dirt, debris, mold and mildew build up on these exterior surfaces, dulling the appearance of your property and lowering its curb appeal. In addition to detracting from its beauty, all that dirt can actually eat away at the surfaces of your exteriors, cutting short their useful lifespan.

So why replace or upgrade these materials sooner than you have to? Extend their lifespan by engaging in some simple cleaning tips for your home’s exterior.

Siding

Power washing is the best way to clean a variety of your home’s exteriors. However, it bears noting that you should never use a high-power pressure washer on any of these materials. Low pressure or soft washing is the way to go. Too much pressure can do untold amounts of damage to your siding, resulting in bowing, pitting and even cracking.

To remove simple dirt, rinse your siding with a garden hose, using a brush with a long handle to wash with soapy water. Rinse well.

If there is algae and mildew on your siding, you may want to try a garden sprayer and oxygen-based bleach. Just don’t use chlorine bleach, which will fade color and kill surrounding plants. Always wear eye protection, and start at the top of the house and work down.

Deck

HGTV recommends washing your deck with a tip that produces a spray about the width of a two-by-four with low pressure. Always keep the spray moving. Resting in one spot for too long can damage the surface. Apply a wood preservative to guard against water damage and discoloration.

Windows

Mix an even solution of vinegar and water, placing the mixture in a spray bottle. Use a microfiber cloth or squeegee and never paper towels, as those can leave dust and streaks. Top off the cleaning with a quick buff just to make sure no streaks remain, using a chamois or a dry microfiber cloth.

Roof

Removing those black algae stains on your roof can seem daunting, but it’s definitely doable. Mix up an oxygen-based cleaner with water, then lightly wet down the roof using a garden hose. Using a stiff bristle brush, apply the cleaner to the roof without doing damage to the shingles. Leave for 15 minutes, then rinse with a garden hose.

Contact Hi-Tech Windows and Siding

No matter how much cleaning you do, sometimes it’s necessary to replace or upgrade your exteriors. For that, rely on the experts at Hi-Tech Windows and Siding to provide quality installation of replacement windows, roofing, siding and much more. Contact us today for a free estimate at 800-851-0900.