There’s a lot of upside to having James Hardie siding on your home. From the fade-resistant Colorplus technology that bakes colors into the material to its long-lasting durability, Hardiplank is the ideal choice if you’re considering a remodel. And it just looks great with little to no maintenance.
One thing it can’t do, however, is clean itself. In the Pacific Northwest, we experience rain, snow, sun, and wind–sometimes on the same day! When those downpours roll through, mud and other debris can splash back onto the sides of your home. Then when the sun finally does come out, that mud can get cooked onto the siding.
After a year or two without cleaning, your beautiful siding can start to look grimy. But don’t worry: James Hardie board siding remains beautiful under all of that gunk! All you need to do is give it a good wash once or twice a year. Because of its composition, the siding is easy to clean, making for easy maintenance.
Can You Pressure Wash Hardiplank?
When it comes time to clean your driveway, patio, decking, or even your car, you may want to hit up your neighbor for a high-pressure power washer if you don’t already own one. But more power isn’t always the best solution. While concrete and most pavers can stand up to a power wash, you can damage the surface of most decking.
The same is true of James Hardie siding. Hardiplank siding was designed specifically to stand up to the weather, keep pests at bay, and repel rot. But its surface could be damaged if pressurized water is used incorrectly. In most cases, you won’t need that kind of force for cleaning your fiber cement siding.
All you really need is a garden hose and a nonmetal soft medium bristle brush to keep your home looking neat and clean on the outside. When done annually or even semi-annually, the exterior of your home will look great no matter the season!
How to Clean Your James Hardie Siding
A combination of rain and wind really makes a mess of your home’s siding. By kicking up mud from the ground and helping dust stick, it doesn’t take long for the rain to make the house look dreary. But if you have a garden hose, you can make it shine again.
Starting from the top, rinse the area well with water. Using a soft cloth or brush, wipe away the water and dirt in a side-to-side motion. By working from top to bottom, you won’t have to reclean an area you’ve already addressed. For tougher stains, you’ll need soap and water to achieve the desired results.
Work With Professionals
Unfortunately, Joseph Ketner Construction won’t clean your siding. But as a preferred James Hardie siding contractor, we are the experts at installing Hardiplank siding and trim. Why is that important? Because no matter how good the siding looks, if it’s installed incorrectly, you could be looking at big problems down the road.
Buckling, cracking, warping, and other issues lead to water or moisture damage under your siding. If a weather barrier wasn’t installed under the siding, you could be looking at rot, mold, mildew, and other nasty results. And if the siding didn’t follow the proper fastener schedule, it could literally fall right off the side of your home!
With Joseph Ketner, you’ll be working with more than 30 years of combined remodeling experience. If we encounter any issues under the old siding, we’ll provide solutions with transparency and open communication. This is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make–we want to make sure it’s protected!
If you’re considering a remodel that includes new siding, contact Joseph Ketner Construction for a free consultation. We are licensed in both Washington and Oregon, secure all needed permits, and offer a 20-year workmanship warranty on all of our labor. When you’re ready, give us a call. We can’t wait to design a new look for your home!