The siding on your house is one of the most important aspects of maintaining your home. The siding is responsible for protecting the exterior of your house from water damage and extreme weather conditions. It also helps protect against pests such as termites, beetles and other insect infestations by acting as a barrier between them and your home’s interior.
Clean your siding.
Siding cleaning is one of the best ways to ensure that your siding stays in good condition. A simple hose and brush, or a chemical cleaner will help remove stains from your home’s exterior, but if you have more stubborn stains that won’t come off easily, then you may need to use a pressure washer.
How often should you clean the siding on your house? It depends on how dirty it gets and how much time and money you want to spend maintaining it. If there are only a few spots that need attention every couple months then this shouldn’t be too much trouble at all!
Inspect the flashing.
Before you start working on the siding, it’s important to inspect the flashing. Flashing is the metal or plastic that covers the top of your windows and doors, and it can be damaged by water, ice or wind. If your flashing isn’t properly installed or maintained, it can leak into your home and cause all kinds of problems like mold growth or rot. You also want to make sure there aren’t any holes in it where animals could get inside your house–rats love chewing through flashing! And finally, if tree branches are hitting against your siding too much they might bend them out of shape over time which will cause leaks as well (or worse).
Pay attention to caulking.
- Caulking is a sealant that is used to fill in gaps between siding boards. It should be inspected and replaced if it’s cracked or peeling, as this can lead to water damage of your home’s interior walls. If you don’t know how to do this yourself and want an expert opinion, hire siding contractors who specialize in exterior repairs.
- If you can’t afford professional help right away and still want to maintain your property yourself, look up videos on YouTube that show how other people have repaired their homes’ caulking before tackling the job yourself!
Check for loose or damaged boards.
Check for loose or damaged boards.
If you find a board that is loose, remove it and check the nails that were holding it in place. If the nails are rusted, replace them with new ones before replacing the board. Are there are no more nails left in place on either side of your missing one? Then you will have to replace both ends of your siding with new material. You need to secure them with screws or other fasteners before installing your replacement piece back into place (see picture below).
Repair loose or damaged boards.
- Repair loose or damaged boards.
- Use a hammer and nail to secure loose or damaged boards.
- If you have to remove a board, use a screwdriver to pry it out from the top of your house. Then replace it with another piece of siding that is cut to size. This should be done carefully so as not to damage other areas of your home’s exterior while doing so!
- Are there are any holes in your siding caused by termites or other insects? Try using an insecticide first before attempting any repairs yourself (you may need professional help). You can also use caulking around windowsills if they’re damaged by water leaking through cracks over time. This helps prevent moisture from getting into places where it shouldn’t go.
Siding maintenance is important, but it doesn’t have to be difficult!
Siding maintenance is important, but it doesn’t have to be difficult! Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to keeping your siding looking like new:
- Use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe down each section of the house with warm water and soap.
- Rinse well with clear water before drying off with another clean cloth or sponge
Siding maintenance can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! With these simple steps and tips, you’ll be well on your way toward keeping your home looking great.