Although vinyl siding doesn’t rot or wear in the same way as wood, it can crack or puncture. You can keep your siding in good shape by trimming shrubbery and trees away from the house so they don’t mar the material.

If a section does become badly damaged, you’ll have to replace it. Heavy winds can sometimes pull vinyl siding off a house, so be sure it is firmly attached or consider other options in hurricane and tornado country.

To keep your vinyl siding looking good, clean it once a year or so. You’ll need a hose, a sponge, and a mild detergent such as laundry soap or TSP. You may want to use a car-wash brush or a high-pressure hose if you have grime built up from air pollution and exhaust. Be sure to cover any plants with plastic tarps.

Vinyl color is not a surface coating but permeates the material so the color won’t wear away. If you don’t like the color of your vinyl siding, you can paint it. Two coats of 100% acrylic latex paint are recommended for a sound finish.