Fiber cement’s aesthetics and versatility combined with its resistance to moisture, pests, fire, and extreme weather conditions make it one of the most practical choices for your home’s exterior. In addition to its affordability and durability, fiber cement is also a low-maintenance alternative to other siding options; however, low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance.
Protect the longevity of your home’s new look with proper installation. Because fiber cement is heavy, weighing approximately 2.5 pounds per square foot, and requires special handling, it’s advisable to hire professionals for the install. Continuing with a yearly maintenance routine ensures you keep your home’s exterior looking its absolute best. Home Pros Plymouth offers five tips to add to the life of your fiber cement siding.
1. Maintenance of Fiber Siding Finishes
You’ve made a sound choice if you’ve decided on fiber cement siding for the exterior of your home. Whether the finish resembles wood clapboard, shingles, brick, stone, or stucco, the versatility of this hardy material extends well beyond style and color.
Comprised of sand, cement, water, and wood fiber, the result is an extremely resilient material that is capable of withstanding Plymouth, Michigan’s harsh winter elements. Low maintenance is one of the benefits fiber cement siding provides. That said, it’s advisable to routinely inspect your home’s exterior at least once a year.
2. Cleaning Siding To Reduce Problems with Wear
To keep your fiber cement siding looking fresh and clean, simply wipe it down with your garden hose and a cloth. For spots that take a little extra effort, you only need to use a mild dish soap mixed with warm water to clean with a cloth or soft bristle brush.
The use of a power washer or metal scrub brush should not be necessary. In fact, it’s recommended to read the specific manufacturer’s owner’s manual before cleaning for their advice on proper care to prevent voiding the warranty.
While maintenance of fiber cement siding is minimal, keeping the dirt from building up not only maintains a fresh clean appearance, it adds to the overall life of the material.
3. Gutter and Drainage Maintenance To Protect Siding
Keeping your home’s gutters clean and free of debris allows rainwater and snow to flow and move through the downspout and away from the house as it should. When not managed effectively, clogged gutters create excess moisture that can cause great damage to your home.
Maintaining the gutter system is one of the most important aspects of keeping the rest of the structure solid. When water continually pools and spills off your roof and hits the siding, it not only affects the aesthetics by leaving dark stains but more importantly, it begins to erode the structure itself.
Just as important as keeping the gutter system clean and free-flowing is removing any snow that’s accumulated and left standing against the siding.
4. Landscaping and Plants that Damage Siding
If you keep the bushes, shrubs, and trees that are planted next to your home trimmed back, it allows for proper airflow. Airflow allows your siding the opportunity to dry after a rain, which in turn, helps prevent the appearance of mold.
In addition to creating proper air circulation, keeping plants a safe distance from your siding also prevents dents, chips, or cracks that may occur from branches rubbing up against it.
A good paint job should last between 5 and 15 years; however, when landscaping is planted too close to your home, it can discolor the siding and require premature painting.
5. Reducing Damage with Routine Inspection and Repairs
As previously mentioned, water and moisture are your home’s enemies. One way to ensure your home is properly maintained is to perform routine inspections. Check the caulking and connection around any point where two surfaces meet. You should see a nice tight seal around windows, door frames, eaves, and trim edges.
A flexible sealant allows for the natural expansion and contraction of the fiber cement siding and prevents moisture penetration in the wall cavity. Referring to the manufacturer’s recommendations for the appropriate caulking material is the best way to add to the longevity of the exterior surface.
If you are not comfortable with managing the inspection and repairs yourself, it’s advisable to contact a professional service to assist you. The experts at Home Pros Plymouth, Michigan, are available to arrange an appointment for a complimentary inspection of your siding’s condition.
Repainting your fiber cement siding is another aspect to maintaining curb appeal. It’s also a chance to inspect the siding’s surface for any damaged areas that could lead to more extensive repairs if not managed in a timely manner.
How the original fiber cement siding was painted determines the overall longevity you should expect of the finish. If the material was pre-painted, it’s typically warrantied for up to 15 years. Material that was painted after the installation should last a minimum of five years. Consult the manufacturer’s guidelines before patching and repainting.
Working with the Professionals at Home Pros Plymouth, Michigan
Deciding on fiber cement siding provides you with a low-maintenance alternative to preserving the integrity of your home’s structure while satisfying the aesthetic quotient of curb appeal.
As with any aspect of your home’s maintenance, a routine schedule is critical to preventing expensive repairs.
Begin your journey with fiber cement siding on the right foot by hiring a professional and certified team to install it. The licensed and insured installers with Home Pros Plymouth are experienced in every aspect of fiber cement siding installation. We strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines and provide you with our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Once you’ve updated your home’s exterior, keep it at its best by performing routine maintenance and cleaning at least once a year. Contact Home Pros Plymouth by calling (734) 548-9911 or by completing our online form and one of our professional staff will contact you immediately to arrange an inspection. We are a full-service contractor that is fully licensed to assist you with every aspect of your home improvement needs.