Care and Maintenance for your Aluminum Siding, Soffit & Accessories

Normal Weathering
Exposure to sunlight and extremes of weather and atmosphere will cause any colored or painted surface gradually to fade, chalk, or suffer an accumulation of surface dirt or stains. The severity of any of these conditions depends on the geographical location of your home, the cleanliness of the air in your neighborhood and many other local influences over which Alside has no control.

The finish is formulated to chalk in a controlled manner by releasing, over time, powdery microscopic particles of pigment. This is a self-cleaning feature, as surface dirt often is loosened along with the powder and is washed away by rainfall. Powder on places not reached by rainfall is washed with a garden hose. A sufficient thickness of finish is applied to allow for normal chalking without detracting from the long life of the finish.

Simple Cleaning
In areas where an abnormal amount of dirt is deposited on the wall surfaces, under the eaves, and under other protective enclosures, the following simple cleaning procedure should be scheduled annually or more often if conditions demand.

For surface soil or stains resulting from industrial fallout, tree sap, insecticides, or chimney fumes, the use of ordinary non-abrasive household detergents is recommended. (For example, 1/3 cup of Tide per gallon of water.)

The solution should be applied to the soiled surface by means of a soft rag, sponge, or soft bristle brush with a gentle rubbing action-do not rub vigorously so as to create glossy areas over the satin finish of your products. Rotary soft bristle brushes equipped with long extension handles may be used to reach some of the higher areas.

As with any cleaning operation, less streaking will result if the house is washed from the bottom to top. It is important that immediately following all washing operations, the entire surface be thoroughly rinsed with fresh water from a garden hose.

Stubborn Stains
CAUTION: DO NOT USE ABRASIVE OR SOLVENT TYPE CLEANERS OR PAINT REMOVER FOR CLEANING YOUR PRODUCTS. THESE MATERIALS MAY SOFTEN OR ACTUALLY REMOVE YOUR SIDING FINISH. AVOID SKIN CONTACT OR GETTING THE CLEANER IN YOUR EYES. AVOID CONTACT WITH SHRUBBERY. ALWAYS TEST ANY CLEANERS ON AN INCONSPICUOUS AREA BEFORE FULL USE.

If stubborn stains are encountered that cannot be removed by using the normal household detergents, request a siding cleaner from your siding contractor.

In some locales, mildew may be a problem. It appears as black spots occurring on the surface dirt and is usually first detected in areas not subject to rainfall, such as under the eaves and porch enclosures. For removal, prepare a solution as follows and comply to the aforementioned washing and rinsing procedures:
1/3 cup detergent (Tide™, for example)*
2/3 cup trisodium phosphate (Soilax™, for example)*
1 qt. 5% sodium hypochlorite (Clorox™, for example)*
2 qts. Water

*CAUTION: GREATER CONCENTRATIONS MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PRODUCT FINISH.

If the above solution does not readily remove the mildew spots, request a mildew type siding cleaner from your local siding contractor.