Installing vinyl siding on your home is a great way to keep your home looking good, protect your home's exterior structure, and add to your home's value. However, as with all forms of residential siding, installing new vinyl siding on your home can represent a significant investment. The five tips outlined below will help you to protect that investment by prolonging the life of your new vinyl siding.
Tip #1: Always Use Grills Several Feet Away From Your Home
While vinyl siding is one of the most durable options you can choose for your home, this type of residential siding is still quite vulnerable to the damage done by high temperatures, such as those produced by barbecue grills. Using your grill several feet away from your home's siding will ensure that the vinyl does not become warped by exposure to the flames and heat. This distance will also prevent any scorch marks on your siding.
Tip #2: Avoid Using Highly Pressurized Water
One thing you really need to watch for with vinyl siding is that moisture does not become trapped in between the siding and the exterior frame of your home. To help prevent this, use a standard garden hose rather than a pressure washer when cleaning dirt and other debris from your siding.
Tip #3: Perform Bi-Annual Inspections
A basic visual inspection of your home's exterior is a quick and effective way of detecting potential issues before they become expensive repairs. When walking around the exterior of your home, look for pieces of siding that have begun to pull away from the side of your home. You should also look for missing screws or nails that are used to secure your residential siding to the frame of your house.
Tip #4: Quickly Address Minor Damage
Whether you discover minor damage as part of a bi-annual inspection or notice that your siding has suffered damage as the result of a particular event, it is important to address this minor damage quickly. Leaving your siding damaged for even a short period of time can result in moisture easily becoming trapped behind the damaged siding. This moisture can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, as well as provide the perfect breeding ground for many different bacteria and insects.
Tip #5: Use High-Quality Latex If You Decide To Paint
If you decide that you want to paint your vinyl siding at any point, it is important to ensure you are using high-quality latex paint that is designed specifically for use on vinyl. This will prevent the paint from peeling and leaving your home looking less than its best.
For more information about residential siding like vinyl, contact a local installation professional.
Roof problems can go from minor to really scary in no time at all. One day you have a little leak, and the next you're left with major water damage in your attic. But it does not have to be this way. Well-informed homeowners know how to recognize roof leaks, and they know the importance of regular maintenance for roof longevity.
How do you become one of those well-informed homeowners? By visiting our website, of course! Here, we have articles about common roofing problems, hiring a roofer, choosing a good roof, and even DIY repairs. Every home has a roof, and every homeowner should know the basics about roofing.