Homeowners in Moore, Oklahoma often look at the north side of their house after a heavy windstorm and find a greenish-black buildup. If you live in Moore, OK, you already know how fast Oklahoma weather coats your exterior in a mix of red dirt, pollen, and mildew. Cleaning Siding is not just about curb appeal; it is also about making sure your Siding materials actually last for 15 to 20 years or more.
Before you drag the garden hose out to the driveway, take a close look at what you are dealing with. Not all Siding handles water and soap the same way. Vinyl Siding acts tough, but old wood Siding or fiber cement Siding needs a gentler touch. Moore Siding Company sees plenty of homes in Moore where homeowners blasted holes right through their exterior because they rented a commercial pressure washer and cranked the psi way too high.
Before You Start: Prep and Safety
Homeowners should not just walk outside with a bottle of bleach and start spraying. You need to prep the area first to protect your landscaping and your electrical outlets.
- Tape heavy plastic over all outdoor electrical outlets so water does not short out your system.
- Wet down your shrubs and flowers before and after you use any cleaning solutions. Soap and harsh cleaners will burn the leaves right off those plants.
- Close all your windows and doors tight unless you want a soapy living room rug.
- Grab a standard garden hose with a thumb nozzle or a basic pump sprayer instead of heavy-duty industrial equipment.
During the Wash: Keep It Low Pressure
Most dirt and mildew surrender easily with the right cleaner. Mix a simple solution of water and mild dish soap, or use a specialized Siding cleaner if the red dirt has really baked in. If you are tackling Vinyl Siding, spray from the bottom up and rinse from the top down. Working bottom-up keeps streaking to a minimum and lets you see where you have already cleaned.
Keep that nozzle moving. Never point a high-powered stream straight at the horizontal seams of your Siding. If you force water upward underneath the panels, you will trap moisture behind the wall. That leads to rotting sheathing and mold growth that you will not notice until it starts causing structural issues inside your home in Moore.
What You Can Do vs. When to Call a Pro
You can easily handle a single-story home wash on a Saturday morning with a soft-bristle brush on an extension pole. It takes some physical effort, but it saves you cash.
Call in reinforcements if your house is two stories high or if you spot cracked, warped, or loose panels while you are scrubbing. If water is getting behind the Siding during your wash, or if you notice soft spots near the foundation of your Moore home, stop what you are doing. That is no longer a cleaning job; that is a repair project waiting to happen. Moore Siding Company provides Siding services for homes in Moore, OK, and a quick inspection from our local team can save you from replacing a whole wall later on.