Pressure-Wash Your Siding
A once-a-year wash extends paint life, removes mildew and pollen, and instantly makes the house look 10 years younger.
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Don't spray up under sidingWater forced upward gets behind the siding and rots the sheathing. Always angle the spray down, never up. Stay 18" away from the surface and never closer than 6".
Tools
- ✓Rent from Home Depot/Lowe's ~$70/day. 2,500–3,000 psi is plenty for siding
- ✓NEVER use a 0° red tip on siding — it strips paint
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- ✓For pre-scrubbing stubborn areas
Materials
- +Sodium hypochlorite-based works on mildew. Simple Green or Krud Kutter for general grime.
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Steps
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1
Cover plants and outlets
Tarp plantings near the foundation. Tape plastic over exterior outlets and light fixtures.
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2
Pre-wet from the ground up
Wet siding before applying detergent — dry surfaces let detergent dry too fast and streak.
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3
Apply detergent bottom-to-top
Use the soap nozzle on the pressure washer (low pressure). Bottom-up application prevents streaks from soap running over dry siding.
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4
Wait 5–10 minutes
Let the detergent work. Don't let it dry — re-wet if it starts to.
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5
Rinse top-to-bottom
Switch to a 25° tip. Rinse from the top down, holding the wand at a slight downward angle. Keep the tip 18" from the surface, move steadily.
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6
Check trim and re-wet stubborn spots
Algae streaks under gutters? Re-apply detergent, scrub with the soft brush on a pole, rinse.
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