House Siding Maintenance

If you ve got mildew or rust stains here s what to do about them.

House siding maintenance. Diligent maintenance adds to the overall cost. Low maintenance exterior material options for your home. On the other side fiber cement siding could encounter possible moisture related problems and older homes built before the late 1980s may have siding that contains asbestos and requires a professional abatement contractor for removal. Power wash every two to four years.

All you have to do is attend to your siding. Divide your house into 20 foot sections clean each section from bottom to top you ll avoid those annoying drip marks and rinse before moving on. Vinyl siding is not maintenance free but is definitely reduced maintenance. Your climate and landscape will determine how often these processes are required.

Pressure wash once or twice a year making sure to fill the plastic dip tube on the pressure washer with laundry detergent. You should clean siding annually using warm soapy water and a soft bristled brush. Wood requires refinishing every four to six years depending on the type of finish you use. Wood siding is considered a highly sustainable material that breaks down easily in landfills.

Siding accumulates dirt grime and other stains throughout the year. Many metal siding options are painted and if the paint is peeling or starting to chip scraping and repainting will preserve the life of the rest of the coat. Fiber cement siding is low maintenance non flammable and termite resistant. The resulting siding or trim is heavy but virtually unaffected by temperature changes so paint holds up for many years.

Retrofitting with wood siding requires removing existing siding materials. Genuine cedar siding is going to require washing and staining sealing or painting on a regular basis. Your aluminum siding will remain bright and shiny for years and the task won t seem overwhelming. Dusty climates will require more frequent washing.

They may cost more up front but these low maintenance materials save later on frequent repainting and replacement without skimping on curb appeal. Available in a range of styles and textures factory painting or finishes are highly recommended. Fiber cement isn t immune to moisture those fibers can still suck up water so any cuts or overdriven nails have to be primed or caulked and siding and trim must stay clear of the ground and any adjacent roof surfaces. A mild non phosphate detergent is recommended.

If for some reason a portion of your metal siding is beginning to rust scrape off the rust and coat with a sealant so that it won t rust through.