3 August 2016
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog

Wood siding can be a great material to use for the exterior finish of your home. It can last for decades with the proper care and maintenance. If you take the time to do things like add a sealant, do small repairs and keep cracks well sealed, your wood siding will last for many decades. Here are some tips that can help ensure your wood siding lasts for generations:

1. Clean The Siding Regularly To Prevent Grime From Forming

Wood is durable as long as you keep it clean. The grime that builds up on wood is what contributes to the fungus growth that is the beginning of rot. To prevent these problems with your siding, clean the siding regularly with a garden hose and mild water solution. You may want to use a wood soap for this to prevent marking the wood and use as little water as possible. Doing this on a sunny day will help ensure that the wood dries quickly to prevent any problems.

2. Make It A Habit To Check For Dried Out Caulking Around Cracks In Siding

Water is your enemy when it comes to wood, which is why you want to make sure all the cracks in your siding are sealed with silicon caulking. It is especially important to do this around the corners, windows and doors that have more places where water can get behind the siding. Check your siding regularly for dry caulking and cracks that need to be sealed. Preventing the water from getting behind the siding will ensure that you do not have problems with wood rot on the siding or water damage inside your home.

3. Thoroughly Clean And Apply A New Sealant To Siding Every Few Years

When your siding is installed, a coat of wood sealant is applied to protect it from sunlight and weathering. This is a type of paint that usually becomes worn in a couple of years. Thoroughly cleaning the siding and applying sealant every few years will ensure that the wood is protected from the elements. If you choose to use a pressure washer to clean the siding before painting, make sure to use lower pressure so that you do not damage the wood as you are cleaning.

These are some tips that can help ensure that your wood siding looks like new for many years to come. If you need help with repairs or replacement, contact a siding installation contractor to help ensure your siding is well cared for. Contact a company like Side-Pro, Inc. for more information.