Maintenance Tips: How to Keep Your Siding in Great Shape

Your home’s exterior siding is exposed to the weather, which means it will eventually deteriorate due to wear and tear. You must keep it in good shape all year to preserve its longevity and performance. Continue reading to learn five siding maintenance tips to remember.

1. Conduct a visual inspection. Regular inspections help extend the life of your siding. Its surfaces may degrade over time, exposing your property to moisture damage and bug infestations. Cracks and gaps should be repaired, but substantial damage should be replaced. A once- or twice-yearly visual inspection can detect subtle abnormalities. You can then contact a local professional for a complete evaluation and repairs.

2. Clean the siding. Dirt, mildew and harmful chemicals can harm siding, lowering your home’s curb appeal. To extend the life of your siding, get rid of issues with proper cleaning. When cleaning grime from wood and vinyl siding, experts recommend using warm, soapy water. A mild trickle of water from a garden hose can be used to remove dust and grime off vinyl or fiber cement siding.

3. Trim plants and trees. If you have trees or other plants near your home, keep them trimmed so they don’t touch your siding or other exterior features. Plants attract and hold moisture, which can be problematic for your wood siding. When the wind blows, tree branches could scrape against your house, producing scratches and nicks on the surface of your vinyl siding.

4. Apply a fresh coat of paint. A fresh coat of paint will help protect your siding from the elements and freshen the look of your home exteriors. Depending on the type of siding installed, you may need to repaint it every five to 10 years. Some siding products, like James Hardie® fiber cement siding, can retain their color for much longer, minimizing the need for repainting.

5. Maintain your gutters. Maintaining your gutters will also help to extend the life of your siding. Rainwater can overflow from clogged gutters onto your siding and the rest of your home’s exterior, causing water damage. Never put off gutter repairs and get them cleaned on a regular basis.

For your home’s exterior improvement needs, Dior Construction is the name you can rely on. This summer, make sure to turn to us when you need to have your roof, gutters, windows or siding inspected, repaired or replaced. You may call us at (201) 472-5462 or fill out our contact form to schedule your appointment. We offer our services to the residents of Essex County, NJ.