Typically, siding does not require a lot of maintenance and is built to be strong, durable, and last for a long time. However, some types of siding need a little maintaining to live a longer life and provide your house with a beautiful and appealing look. When choosing the right siding, it is critical to consider your preferred style and the amount of time, cost, and energy required for its maintenance. This way you will know how much effort is required to upkeep it and what to expect from your new siding. Let’s discuss how you can maintain your siding to help it last for a long time.
Vinyl Siding Upkeep
If you have vinyl siding, you already know that it doesn’t need much maintenance. In spring or autumn, you can wash it with a hose to take down spider webs, dust, or little insects that might be hiding between the sections. This will also make your vinyl siding look a lot cleaner, using a
a pressure washer will wash down all the dust and dirt.
Vinyl siding tends to break away from the nails and bend out of shape, due to expansion and contraction as a result of changing weather conditions. It is important to re-secure all loose siding and replace all damaged or cracked vinyl siding. This siding can also be painted. After a few years, depending on the color, the siding can fade in color. Painting the siding is a great option for maintenance. Consult with a licensed professional for the best methods and options.
Wood Siding Maintenance
Wood needs to be painted and treated approximately every 5-8 years depending on how extreme the weather conditions are where you live. You can start by washing your wood siding with a hose and this will also help you get rid of spider webs, dust, and old debris. A fresh coat of paint needs to be applied every few years because it helps to protect your wooden siding from moisture, winds, and other elements that can make your siding susceptible to mildew, fungi, termite infestation, or dry rot. It’s very important to maintain your wooden siding by sealing all holes, cracks, and seams. This helps to also protect the windows and doors as well. Priming weathered siding also helps preserve and protect your house. Dry rot and termite infestation can create a lot of damage if not detected and treated right away, including damaging your house structure. These repairs, in turn, can be very costly. Unprotected wood is prone to rot or become infested with a pest. Damaged wood will feel weak and brittle to touch. It’s a good idea to thoroughly inspect your siding as these could be the signs of infestations by termites or dry rot.
Maintaining Stucco Siding
Stucco siding can also be power washed before it is painted or touched up. If you see any stains, you can use a special detergent for washing your siding or you can soap or degreaser to get rid of these stains. Stucco siding is known to last for a long time, but it still requires maintenance. It is prone to cracking and separation, it is beneficial to inspect the stucco periodically. The good news is that these cracks can be fixed with a good sealant or stucco patch, depending on the size of the cracks. It may take some time but consider it a good investment into the beauty and protection of your home.
Stucco cracks and voids have been knowing to cause leakage into the wall cavities, and eventually lead to severe damages.