For many homeowners, the best way to clean vinyl siding is essential for maintaining this popular choice for home exteriors. Vinyl is more affordable than other options, such as cedar, and will last a long time if properly maintained. While vinyl siding is resilient, it is not immune to the elements. Mold, mildew, bacteria, and UV rays can all put your vinyl siding to the test. If not periodically maintained, these issues can reduce the lifespan of your siding and eventually lead to more serious problems.
The Science of Vinyl Oxidation: Why Siding Becomes Chalky
If you have noticed a white, powdery residue on your vinyl siding that comes off on your fingertips, you are witnessing vinyl oxidation. This occurs when the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material is exposed to oxygen and UV radiation from the sun over several years. While many homeowners assume this is just “dirt,” it is actually a chemical breakdown of the vinyl’s surface. Scrubbing oxidized siding with standard household detergents or generic cleaners can result in a splotchy, uneven finish that permanently ruins your home’s curb appeal.
Managing oxidation requires an educational approach rather than just a “cleaning” one. Standard high-pressure washing is often ineffective against oxidation and can actually blast the chalky residue deeper into the pores of the vinyl, leading to “tiger stripping.” To properly restore the luster of the material, a specialized soft wash solution must be used to break the electrostatic bond of the oxidation without abrading the underlying surface. Identifying oxidation early is critical; it allows you to take steps to protect the structural integrity of the vinyl before the material becomes brittle and prone to cracking during Long Island’s harsh freeze-thaw cycles.
Beware of the Dangers of Pressure Washing Vinyl Siding
Pressure washing is a method whereby a high-powered stream of water is pushed through a small wand and hose after being compressed. The result is an extremely powerful force of water that blasts away the bacteria, dirt, algae at its surface. This may seem like an effective approach at first glance but it can actually compromise your vinyl siding in the long term. While this pressure does appear to remove the dirt, it doesn’t kill the bacteria at its root. This means that it will grow back more quickly. Imagine you are mowing over a weed, if you don’t pull it out by its root, then it will grow right back.
Pressure Washing Can Strip Away UV Protection
In addition, the pressure utilized by pressure washing can strip away the UV coating that comes with all vinyl siding to help it repel the sun’s UV rays. This coating helps increase the life span of your vinyl and prevents oxidation from occurring on the material. Once removed, your vinyl will eventually crack and fade sooner resulting in the need for replacement.
What Is the Best Way to Clean Vinyl Siding?
Our innovative soft washing technique utilizes a low-pressure rinse, combined with powerful, eco-friendly cleaning solutions, that effectively kill the bacteria at its root. This means that the bacteria will not grow back, and this is why the results last up to 6 times longer. Finally, the gentle process will not affect the UV coating of your vinyl siding so you can maximize the lifespan of your vinyl siding.
Top five reasons to choose soft washing over other methods of exterior cleaning:
- Uses ⅓ of the water pressure washing does
- Will not harm or deteriorate your vinyl siding like pressure washing
- Lasts up to four to six times longer than pressure washing
- While pressure washing cleans the surface, soft washing destroys the bacteria at the root
- The cleaning solution employed by Gulf2Bay SoftWash is safe and biodegradable
Can Oxidation on My Vinyl Siding Be Removed with Soft Washing?
Have you noticed that white chalky substance on the surface of your vinyl siding and trim? What you’re seeing is something called oxidization, and this will give your vinyl siding & trim that faded, discolored look. Oxidation is a natural process that occurs when the Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) material in your siding comes in contact with oxygen combined with other natural elements, including dirt and grime. This chalkiness is Titanium Dioxide being released as the vinyl material degrades from exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
Oxidation on vinyl siding causes more than just fade and other aesthetic issues; it can also cause degrading or deterioration of your exterior trim material. Regular maintenance helps ensure that your vinyl siding not only looks great but will last for many years to come.
At Gulf2Bay SoftWash, we can remove the oxidation from your vinyl siding. While our standard cleaning solution is not designed to remove oxidation, we do offer a special service that will remove oxidation and restore your vinyl siding luster. Simply let us know!
Contact Gulf2Bay SoftWash Today
Purchasing a home is the largest investment most of us will make in our lifetime. As such, it makes sense to protect your investment and increase your ROI with soft washing. At Gulf2Bay, we offer fast, effective, and safe soft washing solutions for every part of your home, including:
- Roof Cleaning
- Siding Cleaning
- Gutter Brightening
- Window Cleaning
- Concrete Cleaning
- Paver Cleaning and Sealing
- Cedar Restoration
- Fence Cleaning
- Deck Cleaning & Staining
Contact us today to request a quote or to schedule an appointment.
