How to Winterize Your Siding

Before the cold winter weather sets in, homeowners need to prepare their homes for the upcoming weather conditions. While most people immediately think about prepping their HVAC system, it’s also important to remember that you don’t forget your siding. You’ll need to include several things to winterize your siding for the upcoming season.

Thoroughly Clean Your Siding

A great place to start your winterization is by cleaning your siding. Lighter-colored vinyl siding is known to get especially dirty and can attract mildew and mold. To prevent staining and fading of your vinyl siding, give it a thorough cleaning before the harsh winter weather sets in. You can use mild soap and a soft-bristled brush to agitate the surface and remove any stuck-on debris. This will help to ensure that your home looks great and that any mold or mildew growth is removed before it causes long-term harm.

If you want to speed up the process by using a power washer, that’s completely fine. However, make sure that you only use the recommended pressure setting from your vinyl siding manufacturer to ensure that you don’t damage the siding. High pressures could allow for puncture damage to the siding. If you notice any areas that are already cracking, be sure to avoid putting pressure on them as you’ll cause more extensive damage. Be sure that you’re choosing a relatively warm day to clean as you don’t want any water sitting on your siding and freezing.

Visually Inspect Your Siding

Once your siding is nice and clean, it’s time to look over all of its components. You want to examine both the siding and J channels to identify if there are any gaps or damage. Inspect any of the caulking to ensure that it’s not dried out and look for any insect holes that could indicate an infestation. Pay particular attention to doors and windows as they’re the most vulnerable point of your home’s exterior.

Fix Small Problems

If you run across any small problem areas, it’s best to get them fixed before the winter weather sets in. When it comes to small divots or little cracks in your siding, opt for using a clear caulking solution to help seal up those areas and hold your siding together. If you notice any nesting material for pests, be sure to remove it completely and check the area for any further damage. Any deteriorating or dry rotted caulking should be thoroughly cleaned off and replaced with new caulking. If you notice any gaps around your doors or windows, be sure to seal them up with caulking as well.

Consult an Expert on Bigger Issues

While it’s relatively easy and inexpensive to repair small problems on your own, bigger issues with your siding should receive expert care. Bigger issues include missing pieces of siding, large cracking in your siding, extensive fading, and warping. A siding professional can examine the damage and replace parts when necessary to ensure that the entire exterior of your home is protected.

Consider Upgrading

Different types of siding materials will have different responses to various weather conditions. Living in a cold New Jersey climate requires you to have siding that can withstand the snowy and cold weather. Two materials that are well known not to be a good choice for these cold wet areas include wood and clapboard. This is because both materials are known to shrink and expand depending on the temperature.

Over time, materials will create unwanted gaps that can allow moisture to seep behind your siding and start penetrating the internals of your home. Furthermore, these unwanted gaps can allow pests access to the inner layers of your home. If you have degraded siding materials on your home, it may be time to consider upgrading. Some of the best materials for cold climates include vinyl and metal. Both of these will stand up well to the temperature changes and are fairly durable.

Trim Back Greenery

If you have trees or shrubbery around your home, check to see if any of it is up against your siding. Bushes or low-hanging branches that can rub against your home’s siding can create long-term damage. Remember that greenery will hold in moisture. When it’s constantly up against your home for long periods, it can prematurely wear out your siding. Trim back greenery to ensure that there’s at least a good foot of space between your home and the plant.

Get a Professional Inspection

Before the cold winter weather sets in, consider getting a professional siding inspection. This will not only help to detect areas of damage that you may have missed but can also give you an idea of how much longer your siding is likely to last. You’ll have the insight you need to ensure that you’re able to schedule a replacement at a time that works best for you and when it fits into your budget.

Fix Peeling or Cracking Paint

If you have wood siding, check the paint to ensure that it isn’t peeling or cracking. Any areas where these imperfections are occurring should be scraped to remove any of the bubbling paint. Give it a slight sanding so that your new paint will adhere properly and go ahead and paint those areas. It’s best to do this before winter to ensure that any moisture that comes up against your siding is properly defected from the paint.

Clean Out Your Gutters and Check Downspouts

While your gutters may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your siding, they do have a big effect on it. If your gutters become clogged full of debris and are unable to adequately drain through the downspout, that excess water will flow over the siding or back up onto the roof. While siding is constructed to be waterproof, having a large amount of water pouring over your siding can lead to unwanted water penetration in any small leaks or cracks that your siding has.

To avoid this problem, you should have your gutters thoroughly cleaned out. You may even want to consider investing in gutter guards. This is a screen-like material that goes over the gutter to prevent unwanted material like leaves and twigs from entering it.

Check all your downspouts to ensure that they’re moving the water at least six feet away from your home’s foundation. Test out your gutter system by putting some water down through it to ensure there are no clogs in your downspouts or any leaks happening. Be sure to also have your gutters checked to ensure that they’re adequately adhered to your home so that they don’t come off over the winter.

Reliable Siding Service

Warren Thompson & Son Roofing & Siding provides reliable siding services to Alpha, NJ. We can also assist with all your roof repair, gutter, Roof Maxx, commercial roofing, storm damage, and roof replacement needs. Simply call our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our siding professionals.