As the temperatures start to drop and winter approaches Michigan, it’s important to start thinking about how you can best protect your home. One of the most vulnerable areas of your home during winter is the siding. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can all take a toll on even the most durable siding on the market. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 8 ways to keep your fiber cement siding maintained through winter.
The harsh and freezing Winter is here and it’s time to do maintenance for your homes fiber-cement siding. This means making sure that your home is properly insulated, your pipes are protected from freezing temperatures, and your siding is in good condition. Today, we’re going to focus on the latter and give you eight tips for keeping your fiber-cement siding maintained through winter.
How To Keep Your Fiber-Cement Siding Properly Maintained:
1. Inspect your gutters and downspouts regularly. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up and seep under your siding, leading to costly damage. Make sure that your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris so that they can do their job properly. Through the Winter, your gutters may become frozen and clogged up, so it’s important to keep them properly maintained.
2. If you have any cracks or holes in your siding, make sure to repair them before winter sets in. Small cracks or holes can quickly turn into big problems when they’re filled with snow and ice. It can also be a place for insects and small animals to go depending on the size of the holes, so having your fiber cement siding inspected to ensure it’s not infested.
3. Be sure to caulk any gaps or seams in your siding. This will help prevent moisture from getting in and causing damage. Leaks can be disastrous to your home’s fiber-cement siding, so taking care of any caulk gaps or seams that may have shifted on your home is an important step to keeping your home safe this harsh Winter.
4. Make sure you get your annual siding inspection done. It’s important to hire a professional to inspect your home’s siding. It’s a great way to ensure your fiber-cement siding is up to date with the harsh elements of Winter. Professional inspections are also great since the siding experts will have the experience to properly inspect it.
5. When painting or staining your siding, use a high-quality product designed for fiber cement siding. This will help ensure that your paint or stain lasts through the winter weather. If you decide to use cheaper, low-quality products, you could be faced with having your siding compromised in the middle of the cold Winter.
6. If you have any exposed pipes, make sure to insulate them before the temperatures start to drop. Frozen pipes can burst and cause serious damage to your home.
7. Keep an eye on trees and branches near your home. Falling debris can cause serious damage to not only your siding, but also your homes roof. So it’s important to trim any overhanging branches before they become a problem. This is definitely not something homeowners should do themselves as it could be dangerous, so calling a professional would be more ideal for the sake of your own safety.
8. Invest in a good quality snow brush or ice scraper to remove snow and ice from your siding safely and without damaging it. Be sure to scrape gently so as not to scratch or chip the surface of your siding.
Conclusion: Properly maintaining your fiber cement siding before winter will help ensure that it can handle the cold weather and keep your home looking great. By following these 8 steps, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your siding is ready to brave the elements this winter.
With regular maintenance, proper insulation, and a little bit of preparation, you can protect your fiber cement siding from winter damage. If you’re still unsure about how best to prepare for winter, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals! A qualified contractor can take a look at your home and provide you with specific recommendations for what needs to be done to get it ready for the upcoming season.