The Art of Power Washing Siding

Some of the most common mistakes to avoid made by homeowners and contractors are:

Trying to remove the powdery coating called oxidation on aluminum siding. Removing this coating can cause discoloration and in some cases cause the siding to look like a completely different color. Using too much pressure can also force water up behind the siding where it will cause mildew behind the siding or in some cases, blow the siding off the house!

Washing the house from the top down or letting chemicals dry on the house, which may leave streaks on the siding.

Using a ladder to clean the upper areas of a house can result in serious injuries and death from slipping off the ladder. These are the types of mishaps that many people have when attempting to do a quick power washing of their home. If you decide to use a power washer on your home, here are some general guidelines to use.

Make sure the machine your using puts out a minimum of 4 gallons of water per minute and less than 1000 PSI.

Most homeowners will buy a machine from a hardware store that puts out 1,000 PSI but only uses 2 gallons per minute of water. While this machine may work, it will triple the amount of time to do the job properly. Be careful if your making your own house washing chemicals. For example, mixing bleach and ammonia can create a poisonous gas.

We suggest that home owners buy a siding wash that's available in most hardware stores and follow the manufactures guidelines for the product. Leave the stronger agents to the pro's or you may end up removing the paint along with the dirt!

The best way to clean siding is by using a power washer that has a chemical injector built into the machine. Using a chemical injector will allow you to pull the soap from the container, mixing it in the machine with water and spray it onto the house using low pressure starting from the bottom up. Make sure when using a power washer that you don't shoot water or chemicals up under the siding, this can cause significant mold problems behind your siding.

Allow the chemical to dwell on the siding, then using low pressure, rinse the product from the siding. Make sure when your rinsing the product off the siding that you start at one end of the siding all the way to the end. Do not stop or vary your distance from the siding, or it will cause the surface to be cleaned un-evenly.

If your siding has small black dots that do not come off during cleaning but can be scraped off using your finger nail. You probably have artillery fungus on your siding. This can not be removed from the siding without causing damage. For more information on Artillery fungus, see the Artillery fungus page.

If you decide this project is more than you want to handle on your own, we would be happy to tell you how to do the job safely and correctly or to find a reputable and experienced company. Just give us a call.

Henry Bockman
President, Henry's Housework Inc.
MHIC # 65039 Licensed, bonded and insured.
www.Henryshousework.com
301 353 9287

Henry Bockman has provided power washing, gutter cleaning, roof repairs and deck restoration services to over 10,000 commercial and residential clients for over 16 years.

Henry Bockman is currently the Maryland PWNA chapter president, serves on the Board of Directors for the National organization The Power Washers of North America and is also the Chairman for the Clean Across America campaign which he helped create in 2004. For more information on Henry Bockman and his company, Henry's Housework, visit the website at http://www.henryshousework.com

---

Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:51:03 GMT Bush, allies seek to calm jittery investors - BusinessWeek Bush, allies seek to calm jittery investors BusinessWeek - 4 hours ago By JENNIFER LOVEN and MARTIN CRUTSINGER President Bush and financial leaders from nations rich and poor pledged Saturday to intensify their efforts to unblock a frozen financial system before it does more damage to an increasingly shaky global economy. Bush Says US Must Take Lead in Solving Crisis (Update3) Bloomberg Bush, allies seek to calm jittery investors The Associated Press New York Times - Austin American-Statesman - AFP - KSFY all 1,542 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:30:21 GMT Theatrical Review of Body of Lies - DVDTOWN.com Theatrical Review of Body of Lies DVDTOWN.com - 5 hours ago By Jason P. Vargo "Body of Lies" is a certain type of movie designed for a certain type of moviegoer. I think the tagline describes the movie perfectly, actually. Body of Lies E! Online 'Body of Lies': Desert Norm, By Kurt Loder MTV.com Boston Herald - Los Angeles Times - Radar Online - Entertainment Weekly all 1,041 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:19:39 GMT Van driver's work in Mass. aided Nobel winners - Boston Globe Voice of America Van driver's work in Mass. aided Nobel winners Boston Globe - 1 hour ago HUNTSVILLE, Ala.—When two American scientists won a Nobel Prize this week in chemistry, the driver of a car dealership's courtesy van had reason to take special interest. Video: Nobel Chemistry Prize Goes for Jellyfish Protein AssociatedPress Comment by Jeremy M. Berg, Ph.D., Director National Institute of General Medical Sciences The Daily Yomiuri - The Associated Press - Los Angeles Times - WTEN all 1,250 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:14:18 GMT Singer Lisa Marie Presley gives birth to twins - The Associated Press The Associated Press Singer Lisa Marie Presley gives birth to twins The Associated Press - 3 hours ago LOS ANGELES (AP) - Lisa Marie Presley is a mom again. A publicist says the 40-year-old singer gave birth Tuesday to twin girls, whose names were not released. Lisa Marie Presley delivers twins: report Reuters Today's News: Our Take - Lisa Marie Presley Gives Birth to Twin Girls Seattle Post Intelligencer E! Online - People Magazine - Monsters and Critics.com - Hollywood.com all 569 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:11:28 GMT McCain supporters face uphill climb in blue Jersey - Newsday Sunday Times.lk McCain supporters face uphill climb in blue Jersey Newsday - 15 hours ago By WAYNE PARRY | AP Writer WOODBRIDGE, NJ - Walter Zjawin is trying to help John McCain do what no Republican has done in 20 years: win a presidential general election in New Jersey. Maine now on McCain radar Central Maine Morning Sentinel McCain inches closer in Saturday's Gallup Kansas City Star Boston Globe - CBS News - Washington Post - Ethiopian Review all 220 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:04:37 GMT Five killed in New York fire; 300 acres burn in Napa Valley - Austin American-Statesman CBS News Five killed in New York fire; 300 acres burn in Napa Valley Austin American-Statesman - 1 hour ago NEW YORK - A family of five, including three children, died in a blaze that filled an apartment with thick smoke and kept the victims from escaping through the front door, fire officials said. Napa County wildfire forces evacuations of over 100 homes Los Angeles Times Fire Threatens Napa Valley Homes and Wineries New York Times KEYC - CBS 5 - San Francisco Chronicle - WSBtv.com all 422 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:27:05 GMT On the trail to the White House - Fort Worth Star Telegram The Age On the trail to the White House Fort Worth Star Telegram - 33 minutes ago Sen. Barack Obama, Democratic presidential nominee, at a rally in Philadelphia on Saturday. AP/ALEX BRANDON Today’s headlines Report stings Palin over troopergate flap; Raw anger showing up in McCain crowds, candidate taking steps to minimize it; ... McCain Asks Supporters to Show Obama Respect Wall Street Journal Obama Thanks McCain for Urging Supporters to be Respectful Voice of America Washington Post - Chicago Tribune - ABC News - Bloomberg all 733 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:17:46 GMT RSS Software Increase Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Beautiful, Sparkling Chandeliers!

If you want to add extra spark to rooms, consider... Read More

Work From Home and Make Money from On-line Rewards and Incentives Programs

You'll be amazed at how much free money you can... Read More

Seven Interior Design Psychology Ideas for Dining Pleasure

A separate dining room adds glamour, elegance, and excitement to... Read More

The Advantages of Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings

Steel is a remarkable material that has been steadily increasing... Read More

Save Money On Home Improvement Projects

Many of us avoid home improvement projects due to their... Read More

Gas Stoves - Pros and Cons

Gas stoves are those preferred by professionals. The heat distribution... Read More

Building Wood Stairs

Building a set of wood stairs is not nearly as... Read More

A Carefully Planned Outdoor Kitchen is Worth the Investment

Do you have any idea how popular outdoor kitchens are... Read More

How To Care For Your Leather Furniture

Leather is the most durable fabric used for furniture today.... Read More

Successful Motor Protection Formulae

As we have discussed before, all overload relays have one... Read More

Replacing Steel Casement Windows

I have been getting quite a few emails from homeowners... Read More

Window Shutters On A Budget

While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood... Read More

Home Automation Enhances Your Lifestyle and Saves Money - Exciting Home Automation Applications

Wouldn't it be nice to have your home take care... Read More

Laminate Flooring - Cleaning & Maintenance

One of the biggest advantages of laminate floors is that... Read More

Colour Your World With Art

When you buy art, you may think you not consciously... Read More

Planning Your DIY Project

Ready to start your first serious DIY project? Read through... Read More

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Bathroom remodeling is often a popular home improvement project for... Read More

The Right Shower Curtain For Your Bathroom!

A shower curtain can add the perfect touch to any... Read More

10 Tips for Working With a Contractor

This is the year you're going all out. You're going... Read More

A Well Chosen Bathroom Vanity Will Make Your Bathroom Look Great!

A bathroom vanity is the centerpiece of your bathroom. Regardless... Read More

Help With Buying A New Ceiling Fan

When you are choosing a new ceiling fan there are... Read More

Expansion for Heat Absorption

In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant must undergo a change... Read More

Planning Permision Tips UK - 6 Common Design Mistakes When Extending a Residential Property

Don't you just love the design of some of these... Read More

Quick and Dirty Guide to Wood Flooring

If you've always longed for hardwood floors, you're in good... Read More

Heres What a Jacuzzi Will Do For You

Jacuzzi's are a great recreational and health benefit for a... Read More