Power Washing Clapboard Siding

Wetting siding and applying soap.

Power washing clapboard siding.

Although washing wood with a spray washer is usually enough you should be prepared to go over some areas with a scraper or sandpaper. Clean these areas separately to give the siding that finishing touch. Insert the detergent tip which is often black into the pressure washer wand and apply detergent as needed. Manual cleaning is preferred.

As an experiment rub a clean white cloth across the unwashed siding. That will result in excessive moisture residing in between the back or surface facing the sheathing wall shingles or clapboard and the housewrap. 3 that powerwash driven spray or jet of water will get driven thru any existing cracks fissures or just nail holes not to mention gaps between clapboard courses as well as shingles. Yes water under pressure and shot out of a nozzle at high velocity will cut thru just about anything given a long enough time span.

Use a lower strength washer some commercial pressure washers are way too powerful to be used on an old wood house. Even after pressure washing you may still find that a thin layer of dirt remains on the siding. The hard spray of water from the power washer can damage the surface of the siding. In fact pressure washing fiber cement siding is one of the only ways you can damage this durable type of siding.

I prefer a 1500 psi pressure washer. Instead use a soft cloth and soft bristle brush to clean your siding as needed. Pressure washer damaged wood photo by jon chapman. Scrub siding best practice.

Wet siding and apply cleaning solution. There are many ways to apply the cleaning solution from using a nylon brush and bucket to a pressure pump sprayer to a pressure washer. They may be perfect for cleaning driveways but they will blast right through wood siding especially if there is any wood rot. Wash the siding area with the pressure washer.

Depending on how much pressure you use and the width. Wait until the siding is thoroughly dry then look for areas that did not clean up as well as you expected. Rinse the siding using the pressure. The cloth will likely come up dark gray with a layer of fine soot.

Steps for washing cedar clapboards. Wood siding cleaner plastic sheeting. Buckeye mobile power wash is committed to the safety of our customer s and our employee s we can continue to maintain the exterior of your home giving you the look and feel of cleanliness our products sanitize as we clean your siding decks play sets and driveways. Much faster with a wood product.