Is It Possible to Protect Your Vinyl or Metal Siding from Rust Damage?
Your property’s siding helps protect it from environmental threats like wind, rain, and pests, but what’s protecting your siding? Indeed, siding is exposed to the elements, and different siding materials have different reactions to these various forces. Metal siding, for instance, can rust in the presence of moisture and oxygen. Even if your siding isn’t made from metal, rust stains can still show up due to underlying metal components. It’s important to amend these issues when you first notice them so they don’t grow into more significant concerns. If you let the problem persist, you may in store for a total siding replacement, which is time-consuming and costly. So, is it possible to protect your vinyl or metal siding from rust damage? Let’s discuss.
What Leads to Rust Damage in Vinyl and Aluminum Siding?
First, it helps to go over the conditions that cause rust damage. As mentioned earlier, the three main ingredients for rust to appear are metal, moisture, and oxygen. Of course, the outside world is filled with moisture and oxygen, but some regions and scenarios can accelerate the oxidation process. For instance, if you live near the water, the air will be more humid, and you’ll deal with stronger winds and plenty of salt. As a result, more moisture (and abrasive material) will be carried onto your siding, contributing to the rust over time. And if you’re wondering about rust stains on vinyl siding, this can occur when an underlying metal pipe or HVAC component is leaky. The bottom line is this: if moisture, air, and metal are factors, rust can occur -- if and when it does, what can be done?
Removing/Repairing Rust Damage on Your Siding
Fortunately, many rust stains found on vinyl siding are easily removed with the right chemicals and processes, and if it’s done early enough, you won’t need to spend too much time or money on siding repair. Magica rust remover is one such chemical that contractors often use for these purposes. Homemade solutions such as those made from warm water and oxalic acid crystals or white vinegar and lemon juice can also be used to remove rust stains with mixed results. Regardless of the cleaning solutions you employ, power washing offers the strongest and most effective method for blasting away rust stains (along with dirt, grime, mold, and other contaminants). Just be careful when pressure washing your siding, as the wrong technique can damage your siding and potentially contribute to more rusting.
To keep your metal siding (such as aluminum) rust-free, you’ll want to take a more proactive approach to dealing with oxidation.
Preventing Rust Damage in the First Place
If your home dons metal siding, you must do whatever you can to keep it from rusting, especially if you live near the ocean or lake. Specialty coatings are your best friend in this regard. Standard commercial or residential exterior painting won’t do the trick. Instead, you’ll want to invest in high-durability coatings designed for rust-resistance such as Everbrite™, Rust-oleum, and other similar products. Many of these coatings also protect your siding from sunlight, salty air, and other environmental threats. In addition to outfitting your siding with these specialty coatings, it’s important to keep your exterior clean by thoroughly washing it at least twice a year.
The Verdict
So, is it possible to protect your vinyl or metal siding from rust and rust-related damage? The answer is a resounding yes, but it requires proper maintenance. If you’re concerned about rust infiltrating your siding and/or don’t know how to handle it, you can count on the property professionals at Anderson Painting to keep your siding secure and beautiful. To learn more about us and all we do, call today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
