Preventative Maintenance Can Extend the Life of Your Exterior Siding
Your home’s exterior siding plays an important role; it protects your house from the elements and adds to its appearance, architectural character and value. With a little preventative maintenance, your home’s siding could last 50 years or more. And that means you won’t have to replace siding as often.
Dirt and mildew can shorten the life of siding, but both can easily be removed with annual cleaning. Cleaning your siding also will protect your investment; real estate experts say good curb appeal can add 5-10% to your home’s value.
Cleaning your exterior siding can be done easily in four steps. The time it takes will depend on the size of your house, but most one-story homes can be thoroughly cleaned in one day. You will need water mixed with a mild detergent or TSP, rubber gloves, a hose and a stiff-bristle brush screwed onto the end of a telescoping pole. For lower parts of the house, you can use a handheld scrub brush.
4 Simple Steps to Make Your Home’s Exterior Sparkle
- Inspect. Take a close look at the exterior of your home, looking for any damage, loose siding, decaying caulk or crumbling mortar. Keep an eye out for spots that are mildewed or especially dirty — they will need to be pretreated.
- Pretreat. Apply a mild detergent directly to any mildew spots. Give any really grimy areas a quick scrub.
- Wash. Scrub the siding with a stiff-bristle brush from the top down, working in areas about 10 feet wide and the full height of the wall. Scrub in the same direction as the siding. If possible, work in the shade.
- Rinse. Rinse from the top down with clear water as you finish each 10-foot section.
Other Options for Cleaning Exterior Siding
If you have a two-story home or just don’t want to do it yourself, you can have your house professionally cleaned. A professional team will use a power washer and take less than a day.
Another option is to rent a power washer to do the job yourself, but use caution. Power washers can strip paint, gouge wood, loosen caulk and eat through mortar. Power washers also can force water under horizontal siding joints, resulting in moisture behind the siding.
But What If it’s Time to Replace Your Exterior Siding Altogether?
Regular maintenance can extend the life of your exterior siding, but like your home’s roof, it will eventually need to be replaced. Whether your siding needs to be replaced due to age or storm damage, to improve your home’s appearance, or make it low-maintenance, The Chuba Company has many exterior siding products available to fit your siding needs and budget. No matter what you choose, with our help, you know that you will be getting the best siding products and service in the area with The Chuba Company.
With over 125 years of combined experience in the roofing and exterior construction industry, The Chuba Company provides quality installation and dedication to our clients. We aren’t satisfied until you are! Connect with us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Houzz to view our quality craftsmanship, check out our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, then contact The Chuba Company to go over your siding options!
