Because most siding material is made to be durable and withstand the elements and other abuse, many houses do not require a huge amount of siding maintenance. While different types of material usually require different siding maintenance methods, there are a few general things that can be done to keep your siding in top shape. Whatever type of siding that is on a house, keeping it in good repair and clean are important. Not only will this keep a home looking nice, it can also prevent possible further damage. Some types of material, such as steel or wood siding, may also require additional maintenance.
Not only does siding add style and looks to a house, but it is also an important part of protecting your home from the elements and pests. Damaged siding can cause damage to the inside of a home as well. Water damage, for instance, can be caused by rain water seeping in through a damaged portion of exterior siding and becoming trapped between the interior and exterior walls.
Trapped moisture, if left untreated, can caused extensive damage and rot to a home. If any part of the siding is damaged in any way, repairing it as soon as possible can greatly reduce other more extensive, costly damage further down the road. Siding maintenance should be an important annual task for almost every homeowner.
Washing siding should be included in the yearly maintenance of a house. This will help prevent build up of dust, grime, mildew, and mold on the exterior of a home. While it may seem like a daunting task to many people, washing the siding on the outside of a house can be a relatively simple job. This should be done using a mild detergent, a soft bristle brush on a long pole, and a hose.
A pressure washer can also be used to clean exterior siding. If this method is used, however, it should be used carefully. Water should not be forced into seams or behind panels. Masonry siding, such as brick siding or stucco, should be cleaned using a low setting if a pressure washer is used. Using the pressure washer on too high of a setting can loosen the cement holding the bricks together or otherwise damage the siding.
Trees and shrubs can possibly cause minor damage to some types of exterior siding, such as steel siding. When steel siding is scratched, it will usually rust if it is not fixed right away. Sap and moisture from plants may also seep into other types of siding, such as wood, which can cause mold and eventually rot. Keeping plants trimmed and away from exterior siding can help prevent these problems.
Steel siding maintenance may require an extra step or two. Anywhere that the coating and paint gets scratched can be prone to rust. To prevent the rust, any scratches should be filled in and repainted. If rust is noticed on steel siding, it should be scraped off and repainted. Any rust spots that are not repaired as soon as possible could become larger, requiring more money and more labor in the future.
In addition to routine cleaning, wood siding, such as board and batten siding or cedar siding, also needs a little more maintenance. Wood siding maintenance should include treating and sealing the wood every five to seven years to prevent rot and decay. In wetter or snowier climates this may need to be done more often.