Siding Repair - Tips to Maintain Your Home's Exterior

Siding is meant to protect your home from the effects of weather and to maintain its property value. A few simple tips toward maintaining your siding will keep your home and its exterior in good shape for years to come.

Cut Back Your Landscaping

Overgrown landscaping not only takes away from your home's curb appeal but over time can also damage the exterior of your siding. Prevent this by cutting back any shrubs, plants, and trees that make contact with the exterior. It may seem like a small task but will prevent peeling paint, scratches, and mildew caused by moisture.

Keep your Siding Clean

No matter what kind of siding you have - vinyl, aluminum, wood, shingle or brick, the best way to clean the exterior of your home is with a bucket of soapy water and a stiff brush. Depending on the size of your home, you will need a ladder and a long pole with a bristle brush to scrub from the top of the house to the bottom. Clean one area at a time with soap and rinse with a hose before moving to the next section. On average it is suggested that your home's exterior is cleaned twice a year.

Repair Damage to Siding

Siding that shows signs of coming loose or cracking needs to be repaired immediately. This makes your home susceptible to insect damage and over time the siding will allow rainwater to seep behind the siding and cause rotting to the wall. Since siding overlaps, you will want to use a siding removal tool to locate the damaged piece of siding and fasten it back into place. If insect or water damage has already occurred this problem will need to be fixed before the siding can be repaired.

Note: It is also important to maintain caulking around joints, doors, and windows to keep the moisture out.

Remove Mildew on the Siding

A common problem that can occur on your siding in a humid climate or lack of direct sunlight is mildew. After you inspect the mildew spray the affected area with a power washer and then clean the area with a mixture of one part household bleach and four parts of water. This mixture helps to prevent the spread and return of mildew. If mildew remains after you have cleaned the affected area repeat the process over until clean.

Note: When using a power washer on wood siding set it at the lowest pressure setting to ensure it does not damage the siding or remove the paint.

Clean Your Gutters

Rain gutters are designed to keep rain from soaking into the roof of the house or into the foundation. When gutters get clogged they can lead to problems that will affect your home's overall exterior including the siding. It is usually good practice to clean your gutters twice a year. Once in the fall and once in the springtime. If you don't have a problem with a lot of debris from overhanging or nearby trees you can routinely check them once a year.

If you need help tackling these or any other items on your list make sure to give Mr. Handyman a call. One call really does take care of everything on your to-do list. We can help you stay on top of all your household repairs, improvements, and maintenance needs and request service now online.