How to Clean Seamless Steel Siding
How to Clean Seamless Steel Siding
Clean seamless siding enhances your home’s appearance and longevity. Seamless steel siding is custom cut to fit the dimensions of your home, eliminating individual pieces and creating an overall uniform look without splices and seams. Because it doesn’t have single slats and deep grooves between each, seamless siding doesn’t collect dirt and grime the way traditional siding does. But even though it is low maintenance, seamless siding still requires some yearly or twice-yearly cleaning; below are a few tips to help you keep your siding looking its best.
Steps for Cleaning Seamless Siding
1. Remove Dirt
A good first step is to scrub away caked-on dirt. To avoid scratching the siding, choose a brush with soft bristles, such as nylon. A brush with a long or extendable handle is ideal for reaching high spots without the need to haul out a ladder. Scrub dirt spots vigorously in all directions until the debris loosens and falls away.
2. Mix & Apply the Cleaning Formula
Vinyl and wood siding can withstand harsh chemical cleaners, but seamless steel siding needs something milder. Mix one-third cup of standard laundry detergent with six gallons of warm water. If you’re using a pressure washer, add this solution to the washer and apply it on the lowest setting in even strokes across the surface of the seamless siding. If you’re using a garden hose, apply the solution with a soft-bristled brush—a clean one, not the one used to remove dirt—across the siding surface.
3. Rinse Well
Next, rinse thoroughly with clean water from the pressure washer or garden hose. Start at the uppermost portions of the home and gradually work your way down. Be sure to remove all solutions, so leftover soap won’t dry and leave a residue. Once the solution has been thoroughly rinsed off, let the siding dry. For best results, you may want to undertake this task early on a sunny day, so your seamless siding has plenty of time to dry before sundown.