Tips to Properly Maintain Your Home’s Siding
TIPS TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN YOUR HOME’S SIDING
Your home’s siding is a multifunctional masterpiece. It adds curb appeal, helping your home to look attractive and up to date. But you shouldn’t value your exterior siding just for its looks. Siding can also help protect your home from the elements and pests. Thankfully, most siding requires minimal maintenance to help it stay beautiful and strong.
CLEANING AND CARE FOR ALL TYPES OF SIDING
No matter what type of siding you have, routine cleaning and care can optimize its performance and look.
VINYL SIDING
Perhaps the most common, affordable, and attractive vinyl siding is a trusted pick for homeowners.
Inspect
You’ll want to regularly inspect your vinyl siding. Though it isn’t prone to rotting or pests, it can warp with the sun or become brittle and crack in cold temperatures. Additionally, after strong winds or storms, you’ll want to check for loose or damaged pieces that can trap moisture and cause problems for your home.
Clean
It’s generally a good idea to wash your siding once a year. A regular hose sprayer can remove dirt and debris, while a pressure washer may be needed to clear tougher stains or build-up.
Care For
Don’t expose your vinyl to heat from a grill or excess moisture, such as the steam from a hot tub. It can also be easily damaged by lawn mowers or heavy equipment that gets too close.
A great feature of vinyl is that you can paint it to regularly refresh its color. If your siding has faded, consider painting it a light color that won’t absorb heat from the sun, which could lead to warping.
WOOD SIDING
Wood is a classic choice that homeowners prize for its natural appeal.
Inspect
Because wood is particularly susceptible to rot and pests like termites, you’ll want to inspect it every six months.
Clean
Wood can be prone to growing mildew. Once a year, be sure to use water and a brush to remove debris and grime; avoid pressure washing. Mildew can be scrubbed off using a 1:4 part solution of bleach and water.
Care For
To help your wood resist weather and pests and stay looking great, you’ll need to reseal it on a regular basis. It should be treated with a clear sealant every two years and either re-stained or painted every five years.
STEEL SIDING
Steel siding is quite durable, making it a long-lasting pick.
Inspect
Thankfully, you don’t need to perform frequent inspections. Just keep an out for scratches that can rust with water exposure.
Clean
Once a year, power wash your siding to remove build-up.
Care For
No regular maintenance is required! Simply paint as desired or leave it natural.
FIBER CEMENT SIDING
Composed of cement, cellulose fibers, and sand, this siding can take on nearly any appearance.
Inspect
You shouldn’t have to worry about whether or pest damage. However, objects striking the siding can cause damage that you should watch out for.
Clean
Fiber cement siding needs cleaning with soapy water and a rinse with the hose every one to three years. Alternatively, it’s pretty durable and can easily withstand pressure washing.
Care For
It’s impressive how well fiber cement siding absorbs and holds paint. If you don’t want a color change, you can expect to add a refresher coat once every ten to twenty years.
Caring for your siding is relatively straightforward and simple, but it is essential not to overlook it. Regular maintenance is a worthy investment to keep your home beautiful, safe, and structurally sound.
