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Clean white aluminum lap siding beside a window with shutters

Aluminum Siding Cleaning for a Brighter Home

Aluminum siding has been on Ohio Valley homes for generations, and many of those homes still wear it well. The metal itself lasts, but its painted surface collects dirt, mildew, and a powdery film that makes the whole house look tired.

Chalky film and streaks on older siding

Aluminum siding cleaning removes that layer gently. It is a different job from washing vinyl or brick, because the finish on aluminum can be marked by too much pressure.

As the paint on aluminum ages, it can oxidize into a chalky residue that rubs off on your hand. Rain streaks from gutters and rooflines add vertical lines, and shaded walls pick up green growth.

Cleaning removes the loose oxidation and the grime sitting on top of it. The color often looks brighter afterward, though siding with worn paint may show its age more clearly once it is clean.

Clean siding and gutter in sunlit spray

Scope

What aluminum siding cleaning includes

Wall surfaces

Every course of siding you can safely reach is washed, from the foundation line to the eaves.

Oxidation and chalking

The powdery film on faded siding is loosened and rinsed so the underlying color shows.

Mildew and algae

Growth on north facing and shaded walls is treated and rinsed away.

Gutter streaks

Dark vertical lines below gutters and downspouts are cleaned from the face of the siding.

Trim and shutters

Aluminum trim, soffits, and shutters beside the siding are washed to match.

Process

A careful method for a delicate finish

  1. 1

    Inspect the siding

    Dents, loose panels, and worn paint are noted so they are handled with care.

  2. 2

    Choose low pressure

    Gentle pressure and a cleaning solution do the work, rather than force that could mark the metal.

  3. 3

    Wash with the lap

    Spraying follows the direction of the panels so water does not get driven behind them.

  4. 4

    Rinse thoroughly

    Cleaning solution is rinsed from every course so no streaks are left to dry on the wall.

Questions to think about first

Dents and creases in aluminum will not disappear with washing. Cleaning improves the finish but does not repair physical damage.

If paint is peeling in patches, washing can lift loose flakes. Let us know so you are not surprised by what comes off.

Windows and door seals matter on siding jobs. Closing windows beforehand keeps water outside, where it belongs.

Common questions about aluminum siding cleaning

Is aluminum siding safe to pressure wash?

Yes, when the pressure is kept low and the technique follows the panels. High pressure is the thing to avoid.

Will cleaning remove the chalky look?

It removes the loose chalky film. Siding with heavily worn paint may need repainting for a fully new look.

More answers are on the FAQ page.

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