We can all agree that the basic framing structure of a house is definitely one of the most important aspects of home construction that absolutely must be done right. However, experts agree that the next most vital elements are the roofing and siding as they shield and protect the house.
Roofing and siding are the primary basic layers of protection for your home and they must be resistant to harsh weather conditions and other kinds of wear and tear. And in addition, the maintenance of these critical components on a regular basis is extremely crucial. Because you certainly don’t want to permit those first layers of protection to go to waste or to allow harm to your house. There can be a lot that goes into your maintenance, such as regular inspection, cleaning, and replacing parts and materials that get damaged.
So you will want to give care and attention to your roofing and siding, to ensure that it is kept in excellent condition. Some tips and tricks can help you achieve positive results and can make your home’s exterior highly resistant to harsh weather elements and premature aging. Here, we have summed up some expert tips to apply to your roofing and siding, to help ensure that your repairs and maintenance are done right.
1. Don’t leave moss on your roof unattended.
If you discover moss growing on your shingled roof, don’t leave it unattended. If you do, it will grow freely and will damage and slowly break down the shingles. The thought of cleaning your shingles might seem hard but in reality, it isn’t too difficult. Experts advise that you use a deck cleaning product for this purpose. This should help you get rid of the moss quickly. You simply apply the product where the moss has appeared and use a soft bristle brush to clean the shingles. It’s a pretty effective way to get rid of moss. But don’t be too aggressive with the brush; you don’t want to damage the shingles. So be gentle and you will see the moss disappear within seconds. And since maintenance is an important part of the entire process, sprinkle a little laundry detergent in the area where you found the moss growing so as to avoid it from appearing again.
2. Replace shingles that are missing.
Replacing a shingle may sometimes be a required task in your roofing and siding care and maintenance. If your shingles have aged or were not properly installed a strong wind can be enough to rip them loose. Even shingles in good condition can be damaged by a powerful storm. When this happens, you can simply replace the shingle with another shingle of the same color and make. Or if you are unable to match the color of your shingles, then try to choose one that is as close in color as possible to the one that was torn off. Mismatching colors will really disrupt the look and appeal of your home. If you are having a difficult time matching your shingles you can always contact a professional to help you.
And remember, when replacing shingles in some areas on the roof you may need to trim the new shingle. So don’t worry, this is perfectly normal and the correct way to make it replace the old one properly. And remember to tap the new shingle downwards into place with a gentle touch. Watch a video here on how to replace a shingle.
3. Try to match your vinyl siding.
Vinyl siding is the trend these days and if you are looking to replace your siding, then you will have a large variety of vinyl to choose from in order to make a smart choice. Experts recommend vinyl siding most often as they are available in plenty of textures, colors, and styles. In fact, there are so many options available that it is highly likely that you can find a siding that matches the one that you are looking to replace. Moreover, the quality offered by modern vinyl sidings is indisputable. And as it is extremely resistant to various conditions, vinyl is most often the preferred choice for homeowners.
4. Use the right tools for repairing vinyl siding.
A definite requirement for performing roofing and siding repairs and installation the right way is using the right tools. You‘ll need these tools on hand as you learn how to install vinyl siding. Luckily, the basic tool requirements are pretty simple. First, you will need a scoring tool, such as a utility knife with a supply of good sharp blades. You’ll use this for scoring and for small trimming. And fortunately, the vinyl is quite easy to cut. You will also need a level, a pair of tin snips, and an assortment of everyday tools like a hammer, a square, a nail puller (like a cat’s paw or flat bar), chalk line, tape, etc. A standard sized circular saw will definitely make your life easier for cutting the siding more perfectly and clean. And if you plan on doing quite a bit of repair work we also recommend buying a vinyl siding removal tool. Helpful for pulling out damaged pieces, it will make your job go more smoothly. Watch this video for more on how to repair your vinyl siding.
5. Treat or paint wood siding before installation.
When it comes to wood siding, pine or cedar siding is extremely long lasting. And working with cedar siding is easier because it requires no paint. You just use it in its natural form. However, with pine siding, there are more steps involved. Pine siding is widely used, particularly in the log home industry, and it is quite economical. Some people prefer the look of stained pine, while others like the more natural look. Either way, unfinished pine should have a water repellant sealer applied.
If you choose to paint your pine siding you will want to apply a stain blocking primer. And if you paint it with a good quality exterior acrylic paint before you install it, this will provide superior adhesion for an amazing shield. Also, you should be advised that painting it after the siding has already been installed will take double the time and effort.
6. Pressure wash your old siding.
If you are wanting to simply give your existing siding a facelift, a good pressure wash is most likely in order. With the help of a pressure washer (which can be rented at nearly any rental store), you are able to either clean up your existing vinyl or prep your old wood siding for paint. Just remember to cover all the exterior electrical outlets with duct tape. Once the wood gets dry, you can scrape off what little paint that is left (which is rare) and the wood is ready for paint. At this point, the following question should probably be addressed…
“Should you power wash vinyl siding?”
Pressure washing will remove dirt and debris from your siding to keep it looking great. Nevertheless, a major concern regularly expressed by our customers is: Does pressure washing damage vinyl siding? In short, it definitely can cause damage to your siding.
There is so much pressure available to some washer units that you can crack or break your siding, especially if it’s older. Another danger is that water can get up in behind your siding onto your wallboard and can even break through it. So be careful with the amount of pressure you use, and be sure to stay clear of windows and other soft surfaces. If your vinyl is old and a little brittle you’ll want to use a soft washing technique, like water from a garden hose and a soft bristle brush.
How to Get Green Mold Off of Vinyl Siding
When your house gets green stains on the siding this is most typically caused by mold, mildew, algae or moss. This is a quite common occurrence, especially in areas with higher concentrations of humidity, and this discoloration builds up naturally as time passes.
So, thankfully, these unsightly green stains can be removed from your siding to prevent them from blemishing your homes’ appearance. And please be advised that we recommend that you clean the entire sided area, and not just those places where the stain exists. In doing so, your home will have a nice, uniform clean appearance.
- Preparation: Again, cover your outlets and also cover your plants and landscaping.
- Create a solution with warm water and TSP (trisodium phosphate), chlorine bleach, or oxygen bleach in a large container. Follow directions on the TSP label for precise ratio instructions. If you use bleach, start with a ratio of one part bleach to four parts water. Test your solution on a small inconspicuous space to see if it is effective, and adjust your mixture as needed.
- Now wet down your siding with your garden hose. Be sure to work from the top down, pointing your water nozzle downward. You don’t want to spray water upward, because you can cause damage by inadvertently causing lots of water to seep in behind your siding.
- Now use a stiff brush dipped in your solution to scrub down your siding. It’s better to work from side to side, with a slightly downward motion, again to avoid getting water behind the siding. And when you are working the area with the stains don’t spare the elbow grease! Plan to start high and gradually work downward. And it’s more manageable to work in sections that are 10- 20 feet wide while working the full height of your house (if it’s one-story). If it’s a two-story structure you will need ladders, and scaffolding would be even better.
Tip: RV brushes work great for this task.
The Final Verdict
Siding and roofing are two of the most important elements of a house as they provide not only a nice appearance, but they are also the main features that protect your home. Your siding is the main element that safeguards the walls of your house, while your roof protects virtually everything beneath it against the sometimes-harsh weather at Lake of the Ozarks. So If your roofing and siding are not well-maintained and impervious to the elements, you are going to experience serious damage to your home or business within a short period of time.
Experts understand all sorts of roofing systems and siding. So hiring professionals is certainly the best way to get these two important home materials repaired, replaced or installed. However, if you intend to maintain them yourself in the best way possible, the above-mentioned tips can really help you.
Need help with your roof or siding? Call today and get a free inspection and free estimate, absolutely no sales pressure, guaranteed.
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Lake Ozark, Missouri 65049
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