Every home, no matter how well it is kept up, will have its problems with dirt and grime. Windstorms, rain, and other problems with the weather wreak havoc on the siding of an otherwise beautiful home. Below are three common factors that can affect the beauty of wood siding panels on a home.
For homeowners who have wood siding panels, the dirt and environmental problems may not be as apparent as they are with white houses. However, when a homeowner discovers that their home has been hit hard with stains from the elements, it helps to know what can be done to make the home looking beautiful again.
It is a good idea for the homeowner to clean their home each year using a brush with soft bristles and soapy, warm water. Dirt is the most common cause of discoloration on wood siding. In order to make the job less cumbersome, the person can divide their house into sections of 20 feet. Each section should be completely cleaned and rinsed before the homeowner moves on.
Stains that are black and spotty signify a problem with mildew. This can be cleaned using a solution of bleach and water — four parts of water with one part of bleach. It is essential for the homeowner to wear goggles to protect their eyes when cleaning their house using this. They also should protect their plants around the house from any possible splashes. When the home is cleaned, clean water should be used to rinse it thoroughly.
Vertical streaks and black splotches on wood siding panels often mean that there is rust on the siding. These problems are often caused by something such as a screw or a nail that was not galvanized. These fasteners oxidize when they come into contact with water. In order to remove this stain, a homeowner can make a mixture of four ounces of oxalic acid (which can be purchased at home improvement stores and hardware stores) and a cup of warm water.
While cleaning the rust stains from wood siding, it is important for the homeowner to wear goggles on their eyes and gloves that are acid-proof. It is also important to stay away from splashing this solution onto nearby surfaces. The homeowner can apply this mixture to the stain, then gently scrub it using a brush that has soft bristles. The spot should then be thoroughly rinsed with water. If necessary, the spot can be refinished. Once this is done, the homeowner should replace the problem fasteners with stainless steel or galvanized fasteners to keep it from happening again.