Chances are,

whether you live in a condominium, townhouse or single-family home, vinyl

siding is probably in use somewhere on your home. According to NAHB research,

approximately 39 percent of new homes built in 2000 utilized vinyl siding

in some fashion.

That 39 percent

figure was the same for homes built in 1999, where it peaked after five

years of steady increase. Vinyl siding is a durable, low-maintenance material

that is both attractive and cost-efficient, which makes it a popular choice

for the exteriors of homes.

One-third of

all respondents in NAHB's "What 21st Century Home Buyers Want"

preferred vinyl siding as the cost-efficient exterior material for the

back and sides of their homes and nearly one-fourth of all respondents

preferred it as the material for the front of their homes.

Despite its

high durability, the vinyl siding on your home is exposed daily to the

harsh effects of the elements, but some simple periodic cleaning and maintenance

will help keep it looking great. The Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) recommends

the following techniques:

Cleaning.

Wash vinyl siding with a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled, soft bristle

brush. For textured surfaces, use only a soft bristle brush to avoid smearing

stains into the grooves of the texture. To prevent streaking from soap

and water running down the house during cleaning, start at the bottom

of the wall and work up. Rinse the cleaning solution with water before

it dries.

If your home

has brick facing, cover the brick so that it is not affected by the runoff.

Vinyl siding can be washed with a power washer, although you should read

the washer instructions thoroughly before use. When cleaning, hold the

power washer straight at eye level. Do not aim the power washer upward,

as the water may collect behind the siding, leak later, and produce streaks

or could remain and cause decay.

Small spots

of mold and mildew can be handled with cleaners such as Fantastik or Windex.

For larger sections, a solution of vinegar (30 percent) and water (70

percent) has proven successful.

Alternatively,

you also could try the following solution: 1/3 cup (2 2/3 ounces) powdered

laundry detergent, 2/3 cup (5 1/3 ounces) powdered household cleaner (e.g.,

Spic & Span, Soilax, or equivalent), 1 quart (32 fluid ounces) liquid

laundry bleach, and 1 gallon (128 fluid ounces) of water.

Be sure to

spot check any general or stain specific cleaner before using it on a

large section of siding. After removing the stain, rinse thoroughly with

water. Do not use cleaners containing organic solvents, undiluted chlorine

bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover, or furniture polish

or cleaners. They can affect the surface of the siding.

General cleaners

such as Simple Green, Nice & Easy, Armor All, or the equivalent can

be used to clean dirt, bird droppings, and spider webs. Cleaners such

as Fantastik, Lestoil, Murphy's Oil Soap, Windex or the equivalent can

remove some stains such as bubble gum, crayon, oil-based caulk, felt-tip

pen, grass stain, lithium grease, motor oil or rust. Try cleaners such

as Soft Scrub or the equivalent for pencil or paint. Rinse all cleaners

with water before they dry.

Maintenance.

To protect vinyl siding from discoloration, cover it when using stains,

sealants, and wet concrete as part of home renovation projects. To avoid

potential staining from insecticides or herbicides, consult the product

labels and/or the insecticide or herbicide manufacturer before applying.

Vinyl siding is made from organic materials and will melt or burn when

exposed to a significant heat source.

Home and building

owners should always take precautions to keep fire sources (e.g., barbeque

grills) and combustible materials (e.g., dry leaves, mulch, trash) away

from vinyl siding. The typical heat distortion temperature of vinyl siding

is approximately 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures reach these

levels, the siding is likely to distort.

Reflected or

radiated heat sources can include windows, roofing, pavement, and certain

underlayments. Installing screens and awnings and planting bushes or other

landscaping can alleviate reflections or radiation. If a vinyl siding

panel is permanently stained or otherwise damaged, it is easily replaceable.

Place an "unlocking"

tool behind the bottom of the panel above the panel to be replaced and

unzip it from the lock of the damaged panel. Gently bend out the upper

panel and remove the nails from the damaged panel. Remove the damaged

panel. Lock on the new panel and nail it up. Use the unlocking tool again

to zip the upper panel over the lock on the new panel.

VSI produces

a "Vinyl Siding Installation How-To Guide" that can provide

further instruction on this topic. If you wish to paint your vinyl siding,

consult with your vinyl siding manufacturer first. Many manufacturers

void their warranties if the siding is painted.

Finally, if

you are replacing your vinyl siding or building a new home, be sure to

check if your product has been independently certified for quality assurance

through the Vinyl Siding Institute. The better your product is, the better

it will stand up to the tests of time, weather, heat and impact.

For more information

on vinyl siding, visit the Vinyl Siding Institute's website at www.vinylsiding.org

or call 1-888-FORVSI-1.

* SPI, VSI

and NAHB do not endorse products or processes and make no warranties for

the products referenced herein. Reference to proprietary names is for

illustrative purposes only and is not intended to imply that there are

not equally effective alternatives.

Eddie Lusher,

who is with Jerry Ballard Homes, is president of the Home Builders Association

of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 460 builders

and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Heard and Meriwether

counties.

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