If you have problems with your home’s siding, it can be annoying. You don’t want it flaking off in the middle of a storm or making your property look hideous from the road.
Usually, it’s wise to call the pros. But if you don’t want to do that immediately, you can try some at-home fixes to see if they work.
Get Rid Of The Grime
If the problem is dirt and grime buildup, that’s something you can usually deal with yourself. Pressure washing the exterior should remove the majority of this detritus, returning the siding’s appearance to what it looked like originally.
Just be careful when using pressure washers. Avoid blasting the siding at full strength at less than 12 inches as this could damage the material or knock it off the side of your building.
Tighten Loose Panels
Loose panels can be another issue in some homes with siding. When it starts to peel away, it can cause all sorts of issues, including rattling in the wind, which is annoying.
Usually, you can fix this problem pretty easily using standard tools. For example, you can re-secure loose siding by using a removal tool and then snapping it back into place, depending on the fitting.
If necessary, you can also use a chewing-gum-style solution by adding nails or screws to the board, attaching it to the brickwork behind. Avoid over-tightening as this can deform the siding material and make your property look like it has a dent in it.
Patch Holes
Small holes can also appear in your siding. These form for all sorts of reasons, including issues with the materials and physical damage.
As with roof repair, patching small siding holes is essential to maintain the integrity of your building. You want to make sure that you aren’t letting water flow in unintentionally.
Patching holes usually requires you to buy a vinyl kit or a piece of spare siding. All you need to do is remove the damaged piece or cut the patch to size so it fits over the problem.
If you have wood siding, one of the most unreliable materials, ensure you fill holes with filler and then smooth over before painting. These behave similarly to wood, blending into the material, while also treating some of the damaged area, preventing water from infiltrating it.
Seal Cracks
Cracks are also something you should prioritize on your siding. These are similar to small holes, allowing moisture to interact with your building’s frame.
The simplest solution for this issue is exterior-grade caulk. Adding fillers to external areas reduces the risk of weather intrusion into your property. Just make sure the area is clean and dry before you get started.
Add Paint
Finally, siding can sometimes wind up looking tired even without damage or other issues. Constant exposure to sunlight dulls paint.
Therefore, you might want to give it a new coating to see whether it improves things. High-quality exterior compounds containing acrylic latex are the most popular at the moment.
