Wintertime snow can be a beautiful scene, but it can also be harmful to your home’s siding if unprepared. We love vinyl siding because it is very cost effective and durable through even the winter months, but it does still require some maintenance and monitoring. To keep your home safe and secure this season, we’ve compiled 5 of our best pieces of advice to help protect your home’s exterior in the winter.
1. Check to make sure siding is securely connected to all sides of the house. Any gaps or loose spots should be sealed.
2. Inspect around the house for cracks, rotting, holes, or any spots where snow could soak through.
3. Also, inspect the small space between the home’s exterior surface and the back of the siding. This should be properly sealed as well, with no gap. You may be able to use exterior-grade caulk to seal it yourself, but it’s always safe to consult a professional.
4. If weak areas are found, call a professional to fix them (or try to conquer it yourself) BEFORE the snow comes. We highly recommend this step does not get put off until the warmer, springtime months. If snow is allowed to stay near these areas all winter, the siding and home’s exterior can sustain serious damage (leaks, mold, mildew, higher energy consumption, etc.).
5. After a large amount of precipitation falls, it’s always a good idea to push away the un-melted snow from the siding. If you’re already shoveling the driveway or sidewalk, this is a good time to check around the house for piles of snow to clear as well. Add it to your normal maintenance list and it can become a habit.
If you have any questions, concerns, or have found some spots on your siding that may require professional repair, please give us a call. We are knowledgeable experts in siding and pride ourselves in the quality of our work. We’d love to help keep your home safe this winter.
