Your home’s exterior is the most impactful visual element of your house’s aesthetic, and creates the first impression for visitors and passersby. Whether your home already has it, or if you are considering vinyl siding as an aesthetic improvement in the future, protecting the siding and keeping it in the best condition possible will ensure your home is attractive throughout the years (and especially if you ever want to sell it.)
But don’t just take it from us. Folks in Wisconsin know a great deal about winterproofing, as you might imagine. News8000 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, recently featured Sarahbeth Kluzinski’s column about vinyl siding. In it, Kluzinski gives tips about protecting your vinyl siding from cold weather and seasonal damage. She shared some great tips, and we’ve added in some of our own advice, as well.
Check it Out
Regularly looking at your siding for evidence of defects and damage is a smart idea. Noticing a small problem before it spreads can save you a great deal of repair expense in the long run. Taking a quick look at your siding weekly, with a more thorough look at least once per season, to catch the start of any issues is something you can do to help yourself. For a more thorough inspection, you can call a home siding company like ours (Harper Siding and Roofing) to check for buckles, pests, gaps, or cracks.
Clean it Regularly
Washing your siding a few times per year with a power washer will help prevent deterioration over time. A mix of soapy water and Trisodium Phosphate works well as the cleaning solution. It is recommended to keep the power washer on a low setting, however, as siding cannot handle the more intense blasts from an industrial power washer. And if the siding has already experienced any kind of damage, it is best to not use a power washer on it at all.
Do Not Paint It
Painting vinyl siding voids the manufacturer’s warranty and can negatively impact the condition of the siding. It is best to either replace the siding if it looks unattractive, or to just keep it clean while fantasizing about the new look you’d like to have with your next round of siding.
Cover it When Doing Other Work
If you are doing concrete work, staining a deck, replacing your windows, repairing your gutters, or doing any other kind of exterior home construction, you will likely be using tools and/or chemicals. In these cases, be sure to cover your siding so you don’t scrape, crack, or corrode the siding or cause the color to fade.
If you think new siding might be the right choice for your home, or if you have questions about repairing or maintaining the siding you already have, we offer detailed estimates, and would be glad to help you with all of your vinyl siding needs. Just give us a call if you have any questions or would like to schedule a visit. Our number is 513-444-6098, and we work on homes all across the Greater Cincinnati area.