March 29, 2024

While siding generally comes with a long life span and requires little maintenance, there are some things you can do to further extend the life and aesthetic appeal of your home’s siding. Giving it a little TLC now will go a long way toward helping it last for decades. If you experience major issues with your siding, it’s always best to consult a professional for help rather than attempt to fix it yourself. You could end up doing more damage than good, so leave it up to the pros. Click here if you’re interested in finding a professional now to fix your siding issues.

Give It a Bath

If you’re wondering why you need to pay any further attention to your vinyl siding after you spent all that money to install it, think about it: you probably spent a lot on your car and you get that washed in the warm weather, right? It helps to prolong the life of your car by getting the dirt and grime off so it doesn’t rust out or otherwise damage the body. Plus, it looks darn good when you are driving around in a shiny ride. Same thing with siding, except your house, is even more visible and should be an even bigger source of pride for you. So, give it a bath once in a while. You can hire a professional to pressure wash your home every year or two to really get out all the dirt, leaving a shiny example of what your house used to look like. Let the dirt build up and it will only become harder and harder to get off.

Protect Your Investment

Protecting your siding is as simple as being conscious of what you’re doing around your home. A hit from a snow blower or lawn mower can put a dent, crack, or warp into your siding, leading to even more damage later on, not to mention the eyesore it creates. This can be very difficult to repair because it often involves removing and replacing several pieces of siding and color-matching new ones. Always leave this up to a professional. Tell your kids to watch out when riding their bikes or throwing baseballs near the house. While vinyl siding is much more durable than aluminum, you never know what could cause some damage, especially in cold weather when the material is more brittle.

Do a Regular Inspection

Every spring and fall, take a walk around your home to really take a good look at it. Is there any warping? Surely there is dirt and grime in some spots, but what about other things that can stain, such as bird droppings, insects, spider webs, and even pollen buildup? Look for mold and mildew, which tends to proliferate in shaded, moist spots. You may even notice staining from fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, caulking, driveway sealant, paint, motor oil, and tar. It’s a good thing vinyl siding is easy to clean! Call for a pressure washing appointment from your local professional and they can handle the job quickly and efficiently.

Avoid Melting Your Siding

That sounds like a no-brainer, right? Still, countless people, each year put their gas grills too close to the side of their homes and fire them up for cookouts. Although vinyl is slow to burn, constant heat, even from a foot or two away, can warp and bend it over time, even melting it in spots. So keep your grill away from the home—that goes for tiki torches and outdoor fireplaces, too.

The popularity of vinyl siding is on the rise. Homeowners can take the several steps mentioned here to make sure their vinyl lasts for years to come.

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