Siding Used In The Atlanta Real Estate Market Area

Siding may be plagued by a variety of ills -- from obvious problems like peeling paint to less obvious insect infestation and dry rot. Many problems can be remedied if caught early on. Regular inspection and maintenance are crucial. If you need to replace damaged siding, note the style, finish, and dimensions of the existing siding so you can find an exact match.

Wood Siding This category includes board siding as well as shingles and shakes. Board siding is available in many types of wood and milled in a variety of patterns. It can be installed vertically, horizontally, or even diagonally. Shingles and shakes are also available in a number of patterns. With regular maintenance, wood siding should last at least 30 years.

Masonry Siding Masonry siding includes stucco, brick, and stone. Masonry siding is practically impervious to weather and should last the life of the house.

Stucco is a cement base plaster. You can either add pigment to the last coat or paint it when it's dry. The finish coat can be tooled in a number of textures.
Brick walls may be laid in one of several patterns; the bricks themselves come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and textures.
Stone veneer can also be laid in a variety of patterns.

Manufactured Siding

Vinyl and aluminum siding panels are applied either horizontally or vertically; they usually come with trim pieces into which the panels are fitted. Vinyl siding is available in many colors, with smooth or wood-grain textures. Aluminum panels come in a wide range of factory-applied colors and textures. With regular maintenance, both will last from 40 years to the life of the house. Other types of composite siding (such as Hardyplank) offer some of the advantages of both manufactured and wood siding.

Inspecting and Maintaining Siding

Inspect your siding for damage in the spring and autumn. Look for obvious problems, such as warped boards, missing or damaged shingles, holes in stucco, crumbling mortar, cracks, and defective paint. Don't ignore less obvious interior problems such as dry rot and termite damage-- these can eventually destroy your house.
Make any needed repairs promptly.
Clean and repaint regularly.

Tips for Specific Siding Problems

Deteriorated Caulking Make a note of any caulking that has dried out and renew the seals. Check the seals around windows and doors, around protrusions, and where a deck or masonry fireplace adjoins the house. Caulk any cracks in board siding.

Defective Paint Often, repainting the defective area is all that's needed. If necessary, repaint all the siding.

Cracks Long, vertical cracks in masonry walls may indicate the house is settling. Place tape over a crack and leave it in place for several months. If the tape twists or splits, consult a professional to determine if there's a serious structural problem; otherwise, repair the cracks.

Mildew Combined heat and humidity may mildew wood and painted surfaces. To retard mildew, wash the siding with a solution of 1/3 cup detergent, 2/3 cup trisodium phosphate, and 1 quart household bleach in 3 gallons of water. Brush or sponge the walls, then rinse. CAUTION: When working with this solution, wear goggles and gloves, and cover your plants with a plastic tarp.

Efflorescence (White stuff) Brick or stone veneer may become covered with a white powder called efflorescence, formed when water-soluble salts are washed to the surface. In an old wall, this may indicate a leak that should be fixed. To remove efflorescence. scrub the siding, one small area at a time, with a mild solution of muriatic acid (one part acid to ten parts water) and rinse the wall well with clear water. CAUTION: When working with muriatic acid, wear goggles and gloves, and cover your plants with a plastic tarp.

Dry Rot and Termite Damage Dry rot is a fungus that causes wood to crumble. Termites destroy wood by chewing out its interior. Both can destroy wood timbers and siding so inconspicuously that they can easily escape your notice.

To detect damage, probe the edges of wood siding with a knife and look for soft, spongy spots.
Pay special attention to any part of the siding that's close to or in contact with the ground, even indirectly.
Check for visible evidence of termites; look for their translucent, 1/2 -inch-long wings or the mud tubes they sometimes build (usually visible from under the house).
If you find evidence of dry rot or termites, consult a licensed termite inspector or pest control professional.

Cleaning Siding

To keep siding in good shape, hose it down and, if necessary, brush it with a carwash brush that is attached to a hose.
Hose down vinyl panels and sponge them with a mild liquid detergent.
After cleaning the siding, repair any caulking and paint or stain any areas that are chipped or peeling.
Wood siding is especially vulnerable to rot when the finish deteriorates.

You should read these tips to help you before and after your purchase of your Atlanta dream home, and if you are looking for you next Atlanta home give the SeeGeorgiaRealEstate Team a call and our Atlanta Realtors will help you find your next home. Weather you are searching for Atlanta real estate, Cumming Georgia real estate or Lake Lanier Real Estate or Alpharetta real estate, or any of the surrounding metro Atlanta areas, we are your answer to finding that perfect home or property.