KEEP YOUR SIDING LOOKING ITS BEST

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR FOR 7 COMMON EXTERIORS

- BRAD HOLDEN

Your home's exterior is visible to everyone, so you want to keep it looking like new. To do that, fix the little things. In doing so, you'll protect your home, keep it looking sharp, and avoid big problems requiring major work.

VINYL

The least expensive option, vinyl siding can last 30 or more years with minor maintenance needs, except for occasional cleaning. It doesn't dent or scratch but can crack if struck or hit by hail. To clean vinyl siding, wipe it down with detergent, then spray it with a hose. I don't recommend pressure-washing any exterior. If your vinyl siding cracks, it's a relatively easy fix, and a new panel typically costs less than $10. Of course, you'll need to know the exact brand and color to get a good match.

STEEL

Like vinyl siding, steel can last 30 or more years with little maintenance. Unlike vinyl, steel may need repainting. Steel siding doesn't crack like vinyl, but hail and the neighbor kid's baseball can dent it. Metal siding is installed like vinyl, but replacing a panel involves more work-you can't just lift the panel above the damaged one to get at the nailing flange because metal doesn't bend like vinyl. To get to a damaged piece, remove all the panels above it, and then replace them in order after you replace the damaged panel.