How to Remove Black Streaks From Siding
Black streaks on house siding can be the result of mold and dirt that has accumulated on the surface. Whatever the case may be, black streaks on siding can be unsightly and diminish the exterior appearance of the home. Ideally, the entire sided surface should be cleaned as opposed to only cleaning the areas with black streaks; cleaning the exterior surface will provide a neat and clean appearance throughout. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Plastic sheets
- Garden hose or power washer
- Large bucket
- Trisodium phosphate or vinegar
- Water
- Bleach
- Long-handled scrub brush
Instructions
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1
Close all doors and windows on the house. Turn off the power to any outdoor electrical outlets. With plastic sheets, cover plants and landscaping that may be harmed by the cleaning solution. Remove any obstacles that may get in your way such as grills, planters and toys.
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2
Spray the siding with a garden hose to remove loose dirt and debris. If you have a pressure washer, use that instead of a hose. The pressure washer will loosen up the dirt making it easier to clean. Spray from the top down to avoid getting excess water behind the siding.
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3
Fill a large bucket with a solution of trisodium phosphate and water. Mix 1/2 pound of trisodium phosphate for every two gallons of water. The bucket should be one that a wide scrub brush will easily fit into.
For an alternative cleaning solution, fill the bucket with 30 percent white vinegar and 70 percent water.
If you are confident that the black streaks are mold, mix a solution of one part chlorine bleach and five parts water into a separate bucket.
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If the black streaks are mold, clean those areas first. Dip a long-handled scrub brush into the bleach mixture and scrub the black streaks, scrubbing in a horizontal motion. Rinse the area with plain water from the garden hose or pressure washer.
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Clean the remainder of the siding beginning at the top and working your way to the bottom. Work in sections about 20-feet-wide. Rinse the scrub brush with plain water to remove any bleach residue. Dip the scrub brush into the cleaning solution and scrub a 20-foot-section of the siding. Be sure to also clean the area where the black streaks were located.
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Rinse the siding clean with plain water after scrubbing each 20-foot-section. It is very important to rinse the siding clean of the soap before it has a chance to dry onto the surface.
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Tips & Warnings
Most siding is made of vinyl or aluminum, which are durable and hold up well to cleaning. If the house siding is wood, it is best to contact the manufacturer to find out which type of wood you are working with and the best methods for cleaning.
If the black streaks are caused by dirt, power washing the siding with plain water may be all that is necessary to remove the streaks.
Use an RV brush to clean house siding. These brushes have long handles which are ideal for cleaning siding.
