Re-siding your home can be an expensive investment. Due to its high cost, many homeowners look for ways to protect their siding and help it last longer. If you want this investment to last for many seasons, keep reading to learn the best tips for preserving your home’s exterior siding.
Keep Your Siding Clean
Keeping your home’s exterior siding clean is the first step to preserving its quality and condition. Buying or renting a power washer is an effective way to clean your home’s siding. Use a power washer on vinyl or wood siding to remove stubborn grime, mildew, and dirt buildup. Cleaning your siding provides a fresh canvas for future inspections, paint jobs, and other steps that can help preserve its quality. It also prevents damage from going unnoticed and minimizes the chances of mold growth.
Inspect and Repair Damages
Once your siding is clean and you can get a good look, be sure to inspect your home’s exterior regularly. Strong storms and other weather conditions will often impact siding, causing cracks, dents, and other signs of damage. If you notice any of these signs during your inspection, contact your local siding company as soon as possible for a repair. The longer you wait, the more likely damage could spread along your siding or to your home’s interior.
Paint and Seal Your Home Regularly
A fresh coat of paint not only makes your home look better, but it can also protect your siding. Regularly painting and sealing the exterior of your home is extremely useful for preserving its quality. The paint and sealant provide extra layers to protect your wood, vinyl, or brick siding from weather damage, sun exposure, and other harmful conditions. Aim for a new coat of paint or sealant every five years or more often if needed.
Protect It From Wildfire Damage
Finally, if you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, protecting your home’s exterior is critical. There are specialty coatings that provide passive fire protection until the event of a fire. These are excellent additions to any home’s exterior, especially for more wildfire-prone areas. If a wildfire were to occur, the coating would activate and prevent flames from spreading across your home’s exterior, protecting its surface. This also provides more time for evacuation and emergency services to arrive.
These are some of the top tips for preserving your home’s exterior siding that homeowners should know. If you want to learn more about protective sealants and passive fire protection (PFP) coatings, browse our website at Firefree Coatings, Inc. We provide wildfire-fighting coatings for home and business owners alike.