Can Pressure Washing Damage Vinyl Siding?

​The short answer is – No, if done correctly pressure washing will not damage vinyl siding and in fact is a great way to keep your home or business siding in tip top shape and beautiful! Pressure washing keeps dirt and debris build-up to a minimum and can greatly improve the overall appearance of the entire home or building. But wait, there’s more! Pressure washing is also a great way to keep wood, brick and glass surfaces clean and looking brand new!

As I mentioned, pressure washing can damage vinyl siding if done incorrectly. Unfortunately, we have seen many homes and buildings that have damaged areas in the vinyl siding because the pressure washing process was not done correctly.

As the name suggests, pressure washing machines push water through a small hose and wand at a rapid and compressed speed. This process creates a very powerful flow of water that is very effective in removing dirt and debris buildup on a variety of surfaces. Pressure washing your vinyl siding is very similar to your car going through a car wash – the combination of the water pressure inside the car wash and soaps and detergents rid your car of stuck on mud and other debris.

So far we’ve only mentioned hard surfaces and that is because pressure washing is not a good cleaning method for soft surfaces like window screens. The harder the surface being cleaned the less potential damage from pressure washing. While vinyl siding surfaces are hard they are not as hard as some other surfaces like concrete or brick. Some care has to be taken with surfaces like vinyl to ensure that it is not damaged in the cleaning process. A professional pressure washing company will have a lot of experience cleaning a variety of surfaces and will know exactly the right amount of water pressure to use for each specific surface.

If you choose to DIY pressure washing your siding or inadvertently hire a non-reputable company to do the job and your siding is damaged you may have to replace some portions of your siding which can end up costing a lot of extra money that you probably didn’t plan on spending.
In addition to replacing siding, water can also build up in your walls or attic if pressure washing is not done correctly. Renter beware! A commercial pressure washing that most DIYers rent to tackle this chore can blast out up to 3300 psi of water! Water shooting out at that rapid rate means that it can easily seep beneath your siding and even sometimes concrete. It is important to inspect your siding before pressure washing for any damage, gaps or holes.

Pressure washing can also damage windows if not done properly. A trained professional will know exactly how to clean the vinyl siding near windows to avoid damaging them or causing leakage. Our team of expert pressure washers know how to carefully clean around more delicate house surfaces such as doors, windows, and flower plants to ensure that no damage is done in the process.
Believe it or not, pressure washers can even remove paint. Many homeowners or painting companies actually hire a professional pressure washing company to pressure wash an exterior surface that needs to be repainted. However, if you are just trying to clean your home or business’ vinyl siding you probably don’t want any paint removed! This is yet another reason to hire a professional to get just the right amount of pressure for cleaning each type of hard surface.

Hiring a professional pressure washing company like ours can make all the difference in the final result! Before we ever begin the pressure washing process we will inspect your home’s siding to see if pressure washing is even the best cleaning solution. If your siding has some damage, old paint or ornate and delicate features to clean around we may suggest a soft washing technique instead of pressure washing. Our goal is to get your siding as clean as possible without damaging anything!
Our team is properly trained to use the correct tools to achieve the best results for each customer and property. We have access to many professional tools that most homeowners do not, therefore we are able to provide safe and effective cleaning for a large variety of surfaces.

​Call our team of experts for a free estimate or contact us online! We are excited about delivery expert results that meet your timeline and budget!