Your Summertime Vinyl Siding Maintenance Checklist

The hot temperatures of summer can be problematic for a number of reasons. When it comes to your household, the heat beating endlessly against your vinyl siding means its lifespan can be shortened. That is why, as the temperatures begin to warm up in the spring, you should do a quick inspection of your vinyl siding and perform some maintenance.

Here is an easy checklist for summer siding maintenance to follow:

Clean The Siding

The first thing you need to do is clean up. Throughout the winter and spring, your house is bombarded with precipitation and other debris. This means dirt and other things will be clinging to the vinyl siding, making it difficult to see problems. Plus, grime is unsightly and can cause wetness and humidity to stick to the vinyl, promoting premature rot.

Rake away any leaves, pick up branches and sticks, clear plant growth (like vines) and sprouting seeds, and wash away any dirt, mold, and mildew. You can use a clean washcloth, soft brush, or even a sponge with some dish detergent and water. Rinse off the soap with some more water. Try not to use too much force, since that can damage weakened areas.

Look For Weather Damage and Cracking

Now that the sides are clean, you need to consider what the siding has gone through. Do you live somewhere that gets snow, rain, and strong winds? There is always a chance that siding can rip, warp, or be pulled from the house, so keep an eye out for missing pieces at the corners, damaged soffits and flashing, and cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and anywhere else.

As soon as you find weather-related damage, repair it. If the damage looks extensive, you may need to hire a siding contractor to help assess the severity.

Check For Fading and Chipping

Though most vinyl siding is guaranteed to keep its color for many years, intense sun exposure will still do damage. If you see sections of siding getting lighter or chipping, it’s not a good sign. It means that the vinyl siding is already beginning to fail and will need to be replaced.

Seek Out Insect and Pest Damage

The last thing to do is seek out any pest or insect damage. Throughout the summer months, your house is going to be assaulted by curious rodents, ants, and termites. The first step is to make sure that there are no cracks and spaces in the vinyl siding for pests to worm into. Rinse the siding regularly. If you find cracks, repair it. In the event you find insect damage and suspect infestation, call a professional exterminator to learn more.

Wrapping Up

Summertime is right around the corner! How is your siding holding up? Before the intense weather and heat arrives, be sure to perform some maintenance on your home’s vinyl siding. The faster you find damage or weak spots in the siding, the sooner you can get it repaired—saving you both time and money in the future!