Lest you thought your spring cleaning tasks were complete with the roof and windows, let’s not forget about the siding. Your home’s siding takes a beating all year long, with exposure to moisture, wind, sun and changing Charlotte-area temperatures. As you are sprucing up your place this spring, don’t forget to take a close look at your siding and take the time to give it a little TLC.

Check the Siding

The first step in this process is to inspect your siding. If you can repair damage or cover chipped paint early, you can prevent costly repairs. Here’s what you should look for when inspecting your siding:

• Signs of water damage at seams
• Cracked caulk or caulk pulling away form the surfaces
• Chipped or peeling paint on wood siding
• Cracked boards on wood siding
• Crumbling mortar on brick siding
• Mold or mildew on siding of all types
• Bent or damaged vinyl siding

If you notice these problems, research how to fix them, or call a siding repair professional for help.

 Wash the Siding

Whether you have wood, metal, brick, vinyl or some other composite type of siding, it needs a good washing. Washing your siding will remove mildew and grit that can eventually damage the materials. To wash your siding, mix up a bucket of warm water with trisodium phosphate, about 1/2 cup per gallon of water, and use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the siding gently with the solution.

To make this task simple, do a 20-foot section at a time. Scrub the section from top to bottom so the debris does not fall on a clean area. Then, rinse with your hose and a sprayer attachment. Keep in mind that this task will require a ladder if you have a two-story house.

A Caution About Power Washers

Power washers can make the task of cleaning your siding a bit quicker, but be careful. A power washer sends water out at a very high pressure. If you know how to use one, it can work well, but if you don’t, you could end up with stripped paint, loosened caulk or broken mortar. If you have wood siding, it could even create gouges. Water can also penetrate at joints and seams if you aren’t careful. A power washer is best left in the hands of someone who knows how to use it.

Your home’s siding is the first thing people notice when they see your property. Make sure it is looking its best with a little extra effort this spring. Once you are done, you’re ready to climb down off that ladder and tackle the final part of spring cleaning your home’s exterior, and that is your deck or patio.