One of the key advantages of having fiber cement siding on your home is its low maintenance requirements – an important feature if you’re planning on doing your own siding maintenance. Pritchett Roofing Inc. shares a quick guide on how to clean your fiber cement siding.
How Often Should You Clean Fiber Cement Siding?
Under normal outdoor conditions, fiber cement siding requires cleaning every 6 to 12 months, same as with other types of siding. Factors such as the siding’s color (light colors may make dirt more visible) and dust levels in the air may prompt more regular cleaning. If you have new siding, a quick visual inspection every couple of months will help determine how often you should clean your siding.
How to Properly Wash Your Siding
Fiber cement siding has an exterior surface that has similar qualities as vinyl siding. This means a good wash using a garden hose will clean most of the exposed surfaces. Start from the top down to prevent streaking on cleaned areas and prevent water from getting behind the siding. Dirt and debris stuck in tight areas can be scrubbed or wiped off using a soft brush or wet soft cloth. When doing so, always move in a side-to-side motion, following the direction of the planks or boards.
Stubborn dirt can be removed from the surface using a variety of mild household cleaning products. The ratio of about 3 ounces of dish detergent to a half-gallon of water produces good results. If you are cleaning near landscaping, we recommend using plant-friendly cleaning products. To remove mold spots, treat the affected areas with diluted white vinegar or non-chlorine bleach. Make sure to rinse everything after.
Things to Avoid
It can be tempting to use a pressure washer on fiber cement siding, but you would be doing more harm than good if you do. Pressure washers are strong enough to strip the outer coatings off the siding material. Using metal brushes or similarly, abrasive tools will have the same effect. Chlorine bleach and cleaning products that have higher acidity levels than diluted white vinegar must also be avoided. If your fiber cement was painted after installation, refer to the paint manufacturer’s care and maintenance guide.
Learn more about the advantages of fiber cement siding with our selection of James Hardie® products. Call Pritchett Roofing Inc. at (770) 345-1622 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Woodstock, GA, and the surrounding communities in Northern Atlanta.