No matter what the season, there is always is some maintenance that needs to be done on your home. Milder weather is the best time tackle the outside. Early fall here here in the Twin Cities finds many for homeowners tackling exterior maintenance such as gutter clean-out and window washing. What's on your to-do list this month?  Don’t neglect the siding - it's actually a great time to put a bit more maintenance into it. Having a quality siding product professionally installed is the first step. But in order for that siding to keep looking and functioning its best, you need to put a bit of work into it yourself. Every siding is different in terms of appearance, style, color and more but that doesn’t mean it needs no TLC. Here are some tips to make sure your siding is looking it’s best.

Early Fall Twin Cities Siding Maintenance

Avoid Pressure Washing; Use a Garden Hose

You might see homeowners in your area using power or pressure washer to clean their siding. We do not recommend this unless you're very experienced with the use of this equipment.  You can damage wood and vinyl siding, and it could strip the finish. (That's why painters use this method to prep for  new painting or staining jobs.)  Even if you're familiar with a power washer, check with your siding manufacturer before you use a power washer on it - some (like James Hardie) recommend that you don't. It could even void the warranty.  For cleaning most siding, the water pressure of an ordinary garden hose is enough.

Scrub Stuck-On Debris with Household Soaps

Don't use anything caustic like bleach. Just a mild soap with some warm water can be ideal to use. Think dish or laundry soap or general purpose household cleaners. You can then scrub down the sides of the house without any issues. Use a long-handled brush to get into those harder-to-reach areas. This can make it last longer.

Repair Any Damage to Your Siding Before Winter

Damage that is done to home siding should be fixed as soon as it is noticed. Loose or cracked siding can let moisture such as rain or snow to get underneath (as well as giving entry to your home for insects and small rodents). Damaged siding can also result in heat or cooling loss. This is just one more example of how a problem on the outside of your home could result in problems inside as well.

The siding is just one of the many parts of a home that come together to provide the comfort and protection everyone living inside needs. Quarve Contracting, Inc. is a licensed Minnesota home remodeling contractor, and we've been helping people in the Twin Cities with their siding needs for over 35 years. Please give us a call if you've got siding damage that needs repair before another harsh winter hits.