Cleaning stained vinyl siding
Q: I have a 4-year-old home. Where the chimney goes down the side of the house, it has rust stains that dripped from the top part of the chimney all the way down. Is there anything I can use to remove those rust stains from the vinyl siding? Thank you. — Mrs. Cook
A: I’ve read of several different cleaning methods to take care of stains on vinyl siding, but since some (like undiluted bleach) can damage the siding, I consulted the Vinyl Siding Institute ( www.vinylsiding.org) for cleaning information.
Rust stains can occur where the siding meets metal flashing or when water drains away from the flashing, carrying oxidized deposits with it. Fortunately, off-the-shelf products are recommended for cleaning. These include soapy all-purpose cleaners like Fantastik, a mild cleaner like Murphy’s Oil Soap, and a vinegar-ammonia-water solution like Windex. Use one of these cleaners at a time and rinse well; if the cleaning solution you selected doesn’t do the job, move to the next product and clean again.
If the stains are high up and hard to reach, use a power washer that can deliver the cleaning product to the siding, and then rinse well.
Maintaining vinyl siding is relatively easy, although some precautions should be taken to protect it. Cover the siding if you are using stains or sealants nearby, pouring concrete, or applying insecticides or herbicides in the area.
High temperatures can damage the siding, so keep barbecue grills well away from the house. It’s also a good idea to move combustible materials like mulch, leaves and dry trash away from the siding, too.
Don’t paint vinyl siding without consulting the manufacturer — the wrong paint will go on horribly, and in some cases will void the warranty.
Clean the siding about once a year to remove dirt, bird droppings, spider webs and so on. Use a mild cleaning solution and rinse well. Remember that bleach, even if well-diluted, can do a number on vinyl siding, so avoid using it and concentrate instead on regular maintenance and cleaning.
Damaged siding can and should be replaced, and is fairly easy to do. Just use an unlocking tool (provided by the manufacturer, or available at home improvement stores) to “unzip” the damaged panel from the one above it, remove and replace, zipping the new panel into place.
HOME TIP: Prevent streaks from running down a home’s siding when cleaning with a power washer: Start from the bottom and work your way up, moving the water stream slowly from side to side.