If you have ever run your hand across your vinyl siding and come away with a chalky, powdery residue on your fingers, that is not dirt.
"That chalky residue that comes on your hand after rubbing your siding, that's called oxidation," says Nick Berezansky, owner of Central Jersey Exterior Cleaning Services, which washes houses and roofs across Somerset, Hunterdon and Middlesex counties."That is the sun's UV rays breaking down the protective layer that comes from the factory on your vinyl siding."
Oxidation is not random. It shows up in predictable places. "Oxidation is typically found more prevalent on homes that are 15+ years old, and typically on the east and west sides of the home, where you have the most sun exposure," Nick explains.
Some siding colors show it far more than others. "Homes of the color blue, red, yellow, green, and sometimes gray are your most prominent colors that will have a noticeable color change from when the house is new to when the house is aged 20+ years."
Regular washing helps, but it is not a fix. "General washing on a regular basis will help keep that down, but it will never get it to go away. An oxidation removal would be your best way to reset your home."
Because siding wears differently on every house, Nick does not quote an oxidation removal sight unseen. "We deeply encourage an on-site consultation so that we can provide a test spot, to show how much oxidation is on your home, and also what would be needed to achieve the results a client is looking for."
The work itself is hands-on, not a spray and rinse. "This is a very labor-intensive process. It requires small sections, working with an application of a chemical treatment, followed by some manual light scrubbing to agitate the cleaning solution and break up the oxidation. Then the property and work area are rinsed down thoroughly to make sure the process is complete."
The takeaway for Bridgewater homeowners: if your siding is 15 years or older and you are seeing that chalky residue, particularly on the east or west side of the house, the next call is a consultation with a test spot, not another routine wash.
About This Guide
Nick Berezansky is the owner of Central Jersey Exterior Cleaning Services, which soft washes houses and roofs, power washes driveways, walkways and patios, cleans gutters, and washes windows and screens for homeowners in Somerset, Hunterdon and Middlesex counties.
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