If you own a home that was built or remodeled in the last several decades, there’s a good chance it has vinyl siding. Vinyl is a popular siding material because it’s durable, stylish, and maintenance is easy. Plus, it comes in a huge variety of colors and finishes. It’s also tough enough to protect your home during storms without getting cracked or dented.
Despite its many strengths, vinyl siding does have a weakness: mildew. Keeping your vinyl siding free of mold and mildew requires a bit of maintenance. If your vinyl siding is already moldy, you’ll need to have it cleaned or replaced by a siding contractor Woodbridge VA. MidAtlantic Contracting, Inc. provides high-quality siding replacement services to homeowners for more than 40 years.
However, there are some easy steps you can take to prevent your siding from getting moldy in the first place and put off that replacement for as long as possible. Here are three easy ways to prevent moldy vinyl siding:
1. Inspect Ventilation Ducts for Moisture
Each time you wash and dry a load of laundry, your clothes dryer releases moisture. This moisture is funneled from your dryer and out through a dryer exhaust vent located on an exterior wall of your home. Sometimes, the moisture leaving the vent can cause mildew to grow on nearby siding. You can help your dryer vent the moisture more evenly by keeping the vent clean and free of lint. We recommend cleaning your dryer vent at least twice per year. This will keep the funnel free of clogs and prevent moisture from being trapped inside.
2. Regularly Clean Gutters and Downspout
Gutters and downspouts are two pieces of a system that keeps your home and property from becoming flooded during rain. However, gutters can only do their job right if they’re clean and well-maintained. Clogged or damaged gutters are a hazard to siding because they dump water down the side of your house. This can create the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. In fact, clogged gutters can rapidly damage siding, whether it’s existing siding or brand new material from a recent siding installation.
Luckily, you can avoid this situation by keeping your gutters clean. Experts recommend having your gutters cleaned twice a year. If you live near a heavily wooded area or have lots of trees on your property, you may want to clean them even more often. Be sure to take a look at your gutters after every rainstorm as well. Storms can throw branches, leaves, and other detritus in your gutters, which can cause them to overflow and damage your siding.
3. Keep Sprinklers Away
Many homeowners have beautiful gardens planted around their homes. While these plants and shrubs no doubt enhance the property’s curb appeal, they also pose a challenge in terms of watering. Using a hose or sprinkler near your house will directly introduce moisture to the siding and foundation. After a while, you may notice mildew growing on the siding, especially in shady areas.
To avoid this problem, it’s best to keep sprinklers a safe distance away from your house. Using a hose instead of a sprinkler will give you more control over where the water goes. Be sure to use a gentle setting and water directly down onto the plants while avoiding the siding as much as possible.
Keep in mind that siding that’s been seriously damaged by water or mold should be replaced. This is the best course of action for your home’s health as well as your family’s. Talk to a siding pro from MidAtlantic Contracting, Inc. about the best replacement siding options for your Woodbridge, VA home.
#1 Siding Contractor Woodbridge VA
Knowing how to prevent mildew on vinyl siding is important information for every homeowner. Let’s face it, no one wants their beautiful siding to be damaged by mildew! When it comes to mildewy siding, prevention is the best solution. Evaluate your gutters, ventilation ducts, and sprinklers. Follow the steps we discussed above and your siding will be well on its way to being safe and dry!
If your siding has already been damaged by mold, your best bet is a siding replacement or siding installation. During a siding replacement, our specialists will remove your old, mildewy siding and replace it with brand new vinyl siding in your choice of color and design. MidAtlantic Contracting, Inc. has been the go-to siding contractor Woodbridge VA since 1979. As a family-owned business that’s fully licensed, insured, and bonded, you can expect high-quality craftsmanship with a down-to-earth approach to customer service.
Call MidAtlantic Contracting, Inc. today to schedule an appointment with a top-rated siding contractor Woodbridge VA!