When it comes to siding installation, many homeowners opt for Vinyl Siding over its competitors for its durability and weatherproof qualities. But just because vinyl is a powerful, durable material doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require its fair share of upkeep, especially if you want your home’s siding to stay looking like new as the years wear on. Vinyl is susceptible to scratching and wind damage and should be carefully looked after and maintained in order to keep its flawless finish. If you’re seeking ways to keep your vinyl siding looking pristine, here are some helpful hints.

Trim Shrubs

Strange as it sounds, one of the biggest threats to your vinyl siding’s health is plant life. If shrubbery grows too high, it can end up scratching your siding and creating cracks that could cause certain sections to need replacement. While scratching might not seem like a huge problem, when overgrown shrubbery is combined with the kind of high winds that vinyl siding is sensitive to, you can end up with a mess on your hands. The best thing to do is commit to trimming your shrubs and nearby plant life semi-regularly. For smaller plants, consider plastic plant covers or other protective methods. If you live in a particularly windy climate, you might want to be a bit more vigilant about keeping your plants and shrubs at a distance from your siding.

Keep Painting

One of the benefits of installing vinyl siding is that it’s extremely versatile and can be painted over regularly. That means that you not only get to change your home’s color frequently, you can actually use paint as protection for your home’s exterior. Painting a few coats over your siding will protect it from damage, and the paint actually absorbs into the vinyl rather than chipping away over time. By building up layers of paint and retouching every so often, you’ll be building a strong barrier against wind and rain simply by adding a bit of color to your home’s exterior.

Do a Thorough Wash

Never underestimate the work of a good, thorough cleaning on your home’s siding. Though many homeowners clean in order to keep their home looking fresh and new, doing a yearly or semi-annual thorough cleaning of the outside of a structure can actually be a great way of maintaining and strengthening the external materials. Vinyl isn’t vulnerable to the normal problems of aging like moss growth, mold or rotting. However, because cracks can occur and the foundation can loosen to create gaps, you want to make sure nothing gets in the way of your vinyl siding’s durability. This includes taking the time to clean away dirt and debris buildup to make sure it doesn’t end up creating cracks or rifts in the structure. To clean your vinyl siding, use a stiff-haired brush and a gentle, neutral household cleaner. Scrub more vigorously at dirtier sections to spot treat, and try to give your home’s siding an even cleaning with a hose at least every few months or after a big storm.