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Wednesday, December 12, 2001 Keep your vinyl siding looking like new By Eddie
Lusher, President
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 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit. 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 website at www.vinylsiding.org or call 1-888-FORVSI-1. * SPI, VSI 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. Eddie Lusher, who is with Jerry Ballard Homes, is president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 460 builders and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Heard and Meriwether counties.
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