siding

Itr/HEN selling siding, make sure Y V your customers know that, while it is a /ow-maintenance product, it is not a no-maintenance product. Cedar, hardboard, plywood, brick, synthetic stucco, vinyl and fiber cement siding all require at least annual check-ups.

Constant moisture

can rot wood or fiberboard siding.

Suggest that the following are periodically inspected:

(l) Check the installation. The bottom lap of the siding should be no closer than 6 inches to the ground and no closer than 1 inch from surfaces where puddles may form, such as driveways or concrete patios.

(2) Check the nearby mulch, bushes and other landscape materials that may contribute moisture. Such materials should be at least a foot away from the siding.

(3) Check the air conditioner. Moisture must run awav from the siding.

(4) Check the gutters and drains. Leaks are not to run down siding.

(5) Check sprinklers near the home. Make sure that spray does not hit the siding. Spray from below gets moisture up underneath siding. Chemicals and minerals in the water may rust, decay or discolor siding. Constant moisture can rot wood or fiberboard siding.

(6) Check the paint.

Immediately attend to chalking (by washing), cracking (by sanding, priming and repainting), and lack of paint (if primer is visible through fine cracks, the siding will soon need to be washed and repainted).

(7) Check the caulking.

If caulk is missing or loose, thoroughly remove the old caulk, clean out all dust and dirt, dry and recaulk.

(8) Check the nails.

If a nail is protruding or loose, drive it in straight. lf it is not connecting with frame, seal the hole and drive a new nail into the frame. Nails countersunk less than l/8 inch should be sealed with paintable caulk. If nails are countersunk more than 1/8 inch, seal with paintable caulk and drive a new nail into the frame.

(9) Check the mildew or dirt. Determine if the stain is mildew or dirt by testing the spot with a dropler of household bleach. Mildew will bleach away in a few minutes, dirt will not. Then clean by following the directions in box below.

(10) Check the objects that are nailed to the siding.

Shutters usually do not present problems, since they are designed to drain moisture and allow air to flow through to dry out the siding between rains. Planters or decking should not be nailed to the siding, because they can trap moisture and ruin the siding.