Siding Maintenance

Regular maintenance is imperative to ensure the longevity of your siding whether it’s wood, masonry, or manufactured siding. Looking for obvious problems such as warped boards, or missing or damaged singles can be the first step.

Wood siding includes board siding along with shingles and shakes. With regular maintenance wood siding should last at least 30 years. Heat combined with humidity may cause mildew on wood or painted surfaces. To retard mildew, wash the siding with a detergent, trisodium phosphate, and bleach solution; then rinse well. Always wear goggles, gloves and protective clothing when working with these types of chemicals. Or if this doesn’t sound like your idea of weekend fun, there’s always the option of calling in a professional!

Masonry siding is practically resistant to weather and should last for the life of the house. These materials include stucco, brick, and stone. Inspection to masonry should include holes in stucco, crumbling mortar, cracks, or deteriorated caulking.

Manufactured siding includes vinyl and aluminum which are available in many colors, with smooth or wood-grain textures. With regular maintenance, both will last from 40 years to the life of the house. To keep siding in good shape, hose it down and if necessary brush it with a carwash brush. Hose down vinyl panels and sponge them with a mild liquid detergent. After cleaning repair any loose or missing caulking.

There are also manufactured composites available that offer low maintenance and high durability. One such composite, Hardiplank®, by James Hardie® Building Products, offers the look of natural wood, brick or stucco, is low maintenance, won't crack, rot or delaminate, withstands termite attacks, and has the durability of fiber cement. Ideal for residential and commercial use, these newer fiber cement composites give homeowners an alternative, without the regular maintenance issues associated with more traditional sidings.

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