Cladding or siding is one of the easiest and best ways to protect your home from the elements. It even offers the ability to reduce your energy bills as it improves the insulation on your building.
Another great fact regarding cladding is that it requires very little maintenance, in most cases a wash every 6 months or a year will keep it looking like new. Of course, it is advisable to get the best cladding possible in the first place. Using a specialist service such as the one offered by Peter Bracey will help.
However, there are a number of useful tips to help you get the best results in the shortest possible time:
Prepare First
Don’t underestimate the amount of dirt and grime on your cladding; even if it looks pretty clean. This dirt is going to come down the walls and onto the ground below.
You need to cover your ground surfaces, particularly deckings and patios. If you don’t you’ll be cleaning them after the cladding!
It is also a good idea to cover your plants wherever possible. The chemicals you’re about to use and the dirt may have a detrimental effect on their appearance and their health!
Wash It First!
Instead of just turning on the pressure washer you should select the detergent attachment from the accessories kit and connect it to your device. Most achiness will automatically do a 12% solution which is fine for your cladding.
Add your detergent and then work the tool across your cladding. You must use the low pressure setting; you’re trying to apply the detergent and leave it there!
If possible agitate it slightly using the brush in your pressure washer kit or even using a standard brush; as long as it’s clean first.
General detergent is good for must marks but if you have mildew on your cladding you may need a specialized cleaner; bleach can be used but it must be diluted.
Just don’t forget to think about how it will affect the plants below it.
Pressure Washing
Always start from the top of your cladding and you should never do it during the hottest part of the day.
Work with long smooth strokes to ensure that all the cladding is covered and every bit of detergent is removed.
Obviously your pressure washer should be on full blast at this point.
The secret to getting good results is to do one side of your property at a time. The detergent should be allowed to sit to do its job. However, it should not sit on the cladding for more than a few minutes or you’ll struggle to get it off again!
This is why you do one side at a time. Once you’ve finished all the cladding it is a good idea to go over it again with your pressure washer. This will make sure it is spotless.
Done properly it will look as good as the first time you put the cladding up!
