Siding is one of the most important parts of a house. It protects the house from bad weather and it helps maintain the value of a property. Nice siding improves the aesthetic appeal of a house, too. There are different types of siding, such as vinyl, wood, stucco and fiber cement. No matter what kind you have, it’s important to take care of it.
Here are some helpful tips on maintaining your siding…
Cut Down All The Overgrown Landscaping:
If you leave your siding areas unattended for long, you’re likely to observe a lot of overgrown landscaping. This can be really damaging to the siding as the moisture content present in the overgrown area will damage the siding material. It will also destroy the curb appeal of the house. In order to prevent problems, you must trim your shrubs from time to time. This way, you can provide a clean look to the siding. Moreover, the paint of the siding will be protected and won’t peel out. You can also protect the siding from scratches that can be caused due to shrubs.
Perform Regular Inspections And Get All The Repairs Done:
When you regularly inspect the siding, look for damages. If you observe any cracks in the siding, get them repaired immediately. You don’t want rainwater or pests coming into your home thru cracks in the siding. You should also make sure caulking around joints, doors and windows is in good condition in order to keep moisture out of your house.
Remove Moss/Mildew:
One of the most common problems that occurs on siding if you reside in a humid climate is the growth of moss and mildew. Spray a cleaning solution on affected areas. This should kill the mildew and help you further clean the area. This also prevents the spreading of mildew to other areas. When using a cleaning solution, ensure that it is compatible with your siding material. The cleaning solution must not damage the siding or remove the paint.
What about specific tips for certain kinds of siding?
Vinyl doesn’t require much maintenance. If you find cracks, though, get the crack(s) repaired.
Aluminum siding is prone to dents. If you find a dent you might need to replace the affected panel.
Fiber cement siding is sustainable, strong and can take nearly anything. But if there is a big impact, you might need to get help from professionals to get repairs done or get new siding installed.
Generally, wood siding requires varying levels of maintenance depending on whether it’s painted or stained. If you have stained wood siding, it’s easier to take care of. But if you have painted siding, you may have problems if your home isn’t well-ventilated.
Summary:
Being a homeowner, it is essential for you to regularly clean your home’s siding every year, and keep it in good repair to extend its life. You should take the time to perform a visual inspection of your home’s siding at least once a year. It can help you identify problems at an early stage and take note of leaks, cracks, wear-and-tear, and any other problems that may have developed over the previous year. Then call Born Carpentry to fix or replace siding, as needed.
