Pressure Washing Fiber Cement Siding

This can be a great quick way to clean siding but power washing can damage fiber cement siding.

Pressure washing fiber cement siding. Do not use a high pressure hose to clean fiber cement siding. Choose a pressure washer. Be sure to completely rinse it free of any soap residue. Use a side to side motion when cleaning horizontal planks.

Using wide fan tips that are kept a minimum of 6 feet from the wall and at pressures under 1500 psi will minimize the chance of damaging the siding. Pressure power washing. Power washing or pressure washing can be too harsh for fiber cement siding. Here is a link to the james hardie recommended cleaning methods.

You may need to repeat. If using a pressure washer care must be taken to ensure that the water stream does not damage the surface of the siding. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture and saturate it well. If using a brush brush the siding s surface dust or dirt then rinse the area with a garden hose.

How to pressure wash fiber cement siding 1. When using a pressure washer to clean any siding you need to prevent water from becoming trapped between the siding and your home s sheathing because the moisture promotes mold. If applying a cleaner with a built in applicator choose a product in a bottle with a. Here are the keys to pressure washing fiber cement siding.

Sand blasting can damage the fiber cement surface and is not recommended. Start from the top and clean with the direction of the siding. Only use a pressure washer at a distance of 6 feet or more. Mix a mild dish detergent and water in a bucket until you have sudsy water.

The best way to clean fiber cement siding is by soft washing it. Rub the oil or grease off the siding. If you re spraying mold and mildew off of your siding you should use more than just water. This is one of the few ways that you can damage it.

Rinse out your cloth in the bucket frequently to prevent grease and oil buildup. If using a soft cloth wet the cloth then wipe the area in a side to side motion in the direction of the plank shingle or panel siding until clean. If you feel that you need to use a pressure washer especially on harder to reach locations only use it at a low pressure under 1500 psi with a wide tip. The higher pressure can damage the siding leading to cracks and a shorter lifespan.

A 3000 psi consumer grade gas pressure washer is a great choice for cleaning fiber cement. Soft washing provides just enough pressure to remove caked on dirt and debris without causing any damage to your siding. From there rinse the area with clean water. 1 keep a minimum distance of 6 from the wall.

2 use wide fan tips in the wand of the pressure washer.