Your home's siding represents not only the look and feel of your home but also its strength and protection. Extending the longevity of your siding and keeping your home looking beautiful means proper siding maintenance throughout the years. But how can you identify problems with your siding that need to be addressed? Here are some of the most common siding issues and the siding maintenance that can help.
Siding issue #1 - Dirt and grime
Over time, the siding of your home becomes dirty. Luckily, siding is easy to clean and maintain. You can clean your siding with pressure washing or just siding cleaner and a rag. Cleaning your siding is a great time to check it for any irregularities, such as damage from hail or from tree branches. You should fix any damage as soon as you see it; your siding can't protect your property if it's been breached. Cleaning your siding regularly will also prevent it from becoming dull and scraped early in its lifespan.
Siding issue #2 - Peeling or faded paint
Every five years, you should consider refreshing the paint on your home. Even great paint can start to get faded, which makes it unattractive and old-looking. As your paint starts to peel, it gets down to the base layers of your siding; your siding will no longer be protected by the paint. You can also get siding that doesn't require paint at all. Siding that can be painted can also have its color changed when you want to change the appearance and feel of your home.
Siding issue #3 - Cracks or holes in siding
Over time, cracks or holes can occur in siding, or damage (like the before-mentioned hail) can naturally occur. These need to be sealed. If they aren't sealed, water can leak in behind the siding. Pests such as termites may also get in. Luckily, areas of the siding can be replaced, or the siding itself can also be repaired.
Siding issue #4 - Warped or buckling siding
Is your siding warped or buckling? Not only is this an eyesore, it could allow moisture in. Warped, buckled siding is often a sign of improperly installed siding, and should be fixed. It can also be a sign of other issues, such as siding that became damaged and then experienced water damage, or signs of severe water infiltration. Proper siding maintenance can help.
Siding issue #5 - Noisy siding
Siding that is noisy in response to weather conditions could indicate improper installation. The siding may not be properly affixed to the wall. Luckily, this is an issue that can be fixed very easily by a professional. It's not always improper installation, either; sometimes it's just damage that may have pulled up the siding over time, and that needs to be addressed by a professional.
Not sure whether you need your siding repaired or replaced? It's time to call the Exterior Medics. Contact us today to find out more about common siding issues and siding maintenance.
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