You need gutters and roof guards. The gutters are the only thing that will stop water from splashing on to the side of your house which will cause rotting of any wood. Siding is not designed to protect from water going up. Roof guards will stop avalanches of snow on the roof so your gutters will be safe.

I would be wary of using vinegar. The hard water deposits had sealed the electronics enclosure after the gasket started leaking in my dishwasher, after I ran a cycle with vinegar it shorted out.