Posts Tagged ‘siding’

Spring Cleanup Checklist

Spring Cleanup Doesn’t Have To Be Daunting

Spring cleanup always seems like a daunting task at the end of the winter. It seems to take forever and it isn’t the fun job. It is very beneficial though, it can make your home look picture perfect and ready to show off all summer long. It also can save homeowners money, depending on how much the homeowner checks the siding and windows for cracking or leaking they can either spend a lot of money or very little on repairs after a winter.

Checking regularly on the siding for splitting or rotting can help save a homeowner money because replacing siding can be pricey.
Check the bricks on your home and make sure nothing is loose that can cause injury or damage to the home.
Cleaning gutters and checking on their repair before the rainy season is a must. Proper draining can help prevent things like leaky homes and rotting siding.
Washing and treating the driveway helps prevent cracking and plants growing in it that can eventually decrease the integrity of the driveway
Clean the deck and make sure all of the boards are in good repair, stain and seal if it is needed.
Pull out all the furniture and make sure they are clean and in good repair. Make sure all of the decor is also in good repair
Weed the yard and treat it with fertilizer and treatments to make it grow healthy and strong all summer.
Ensure the sprinklers are working and reaching the entire yard. Sprinkler pipes are the easiest to crack during the winter so making sure they are in good repair is important.
Once you are sure the cold freezes are over plant the garden and trim the trees and shrubs for a healthy growing season over the summer.
Cleaning the front porch of cobwebs and dead bugs makes a big first impression to visitors.
Clean the garage door and remove the cobwebs to have a clean exterior

Spring cleanup can be daunting, but there are so many rewards to getting it done. Having a clean home is always a satisfying feeling and giving your home a face lift after a harsh winter is a great reward.

What siding is best for your climate?

Each siding type has its pros and cons, finding the perfect siding is a rewarding process. To determine what siding is best depends a lot on the geographic location of the home. Each region of the US has completely different weather patterns and you can’t always use the pretty siding that your friend has in California when you live in Colorado. It is important that each area has the proper choice for the weather patterns. Matching the architecture of the area is also important and siding can aid that process quite a bit.

Vinyl siding is the least expensive of all siding types and comes in many colors and styles which is a selling point to most homeowners. Although it is a great product, vinyl siding is not as durable as some other metal sidings, so after large storms they have to be maintained. Vinyl siding is a lovely choice for places that are generally stable in weather, for they work well in hot or colder climates.

Stucco siding is generally found in places with dry climates. Because of the material, the siding isn’t greatly affected by the heat. Generally stucco siding has a great lifespan when maintained properly. Arizona is a great example of a place with a lot of stucco siding. It matches the style of architecture and meets the needs of the climate. Similar to stucco siding, stone or brick siding is generally found in really hot locations for they cool off quickly and in turn keeps the interior of the building cool.

Wood siding is a very traditional choice for homes, and with regular upkeep they have a very long lifespan. They come in all types of grains and grades as well as size, color, and shape. They have a traditional and classic look that makes a home look classy and aged even if it is a new build. People tend to steer away from wood siding if they live in a very humid or rainy area because the siding can warp and change shape.

Steel siding is the most popular in tropical climates because it has the ability to withstand the harsh winds and pressures of monsoons or hurricanes. It has the durability to hold up well to snow storms as well, which for some geographical areas is a noticeable issue for homes.

Fiber cement siding is a popular choice on the coasts of the US, for they can stand up to the moisture and the salt water. It is very sturdy but flexible enough to not crack or chip so the maintenance is very low.

What type of wood is the best for siding?

Wood siding is a beautiful addition to any home, but it is very high maintenance. Some types of wood are much better than others when it comes to picking a wood siding. Cedar wood and redwood are generally the best for siding for it has natural elements that help it from rotting or decaying prematurely. Cedar wood siding is much more common for the type of wood is easier to find. Cedar siding is loved because of its beautiful colors and grains. It is durable and cedar is able to resist cupping and swelling in the siding. Redwood siding resists shrinking and warping which is a positive thing in climates that has moisture and rain. Wood siding can last a lifetime if they are cared for properly. They average around 75 years with the proper care.

How to weatherproof your home for a Colorado winter

Colorado residents know how harsh winters can be and you are always told to plan ahead. That advice should be used for everything from storing canned food and emergency candles to weatherproofing the exterior of your home. Weatherproofing sounds like a daunting task, but there are many things you can do to help prevent damages to your home when a big storm hits. Having your roofing, siding, and windows in good repair before the winter kicks up is always beneficial, but there are some basic things you can do that only take a few minutes to check on.

Make sure to drain any exterior water hose spouts so they don’t freeze.
Blow out your sprinkler pipes.
Make sure your gutters are clear of debris, secure to the roof and in good repair.
Check that interior and exterior pipes are in good repair and are properly insulated.
Cover your air conditioning unit (optional, but prevents leaves and other debris from entering that could cause damage).
Service your heater and furnace.
Make sure your furnace filter is clean.
Check for loose tree branches around gutters, windows and house entrances.
Check the conditions of storm doors and windows as well as shutters.
Insulate your home to prevent cold air from entering.

These are all basic things that can make your winter less stressful, and help your spring to start off right. Taking these precautions before the weather gets cold can prevent busted pipes, tree damage, gutter damage, icy paths, and many other typical cold weather inconveniences and hazards.

What to do when Spring Storms Wreak Havoc on your Home

Oh boy…just now I was sitting at my desk getting some work done when a fairly large thunderstorm rolled in. Lightening, thunder, rain and hail pounded my building. It was a pretty quick one, but it came in fast and hailed hard. It’s that time of year when these severe storms materialize and do damage to our homes and property. Wind, hail, rain and lightening can cause many problems. The thing we see most often with homeowners is that they’re not sure what to do when a severe storm pops up in their area.

Follow these tips to make sure you and your home are protected after a severe storm:

1. Check the outside of your home for obvious damage.

Look at your roof for missing shingles or holes you can see from your yard. Check your windows for broken or cracked glass and damaged trim. Walk around your house and look at your siding. If you see dents, chips or cracks, take note.

2. Call a qualified contractor to inspect for less obvious damage.

Some damage can’t be seen by an inspection from your yard. Getting up on your roof can be dangerous and much damage caused by severe storms can only be seen by a trained eye. Although this damage can be hard to spot, it can cause long-term harm to your home. A qualified contractor is trained to spot storm damage and should be experienced in working with insurance companies. They can help you submit a claim and make sure you get the coverage you need to make any necessary repairs.

3. Contact your insurance company.

Most insurance policies cover severe storm damage such as hail and wind. Check your policy details to see exactly what your policy offers in terms of coverage or call your agent to find out details. Every insurance company handles storm claims differently and has different requirements in terms of inspections, documentation, paperwork and completing the work. Most insurance companies will send out an adjuster to inspect your home and determine what damage has been done by the storm and what repairs need to happen. Make sure that your contractor is well versed in working with insurance companies; a good contractor can save you thousands of dollars and make sure you get the most out of your policy.

4. Hire a qualified contractor to make repairs to your home.

Once your insurance company has issued your claim, they should provide you with a detailed report on what repairs they will cover. By now, you should have done your homework and hired a qualified contractor to complete these repairs. Make sure your contractor is bonded and insured. Check with your neighbors to get recommendations on contractors they’ve used and had good experiences with. Do some research online – there are many sites where you can find reviews from homeowners so that you can get a clear picture of the contractors reputation; bbb.org, homeadvisor.com, houzz.com, and angieslist.com are a few places you can look.

HRTI’s experienced consultants and contractors are happy to come to your home to inspect for damage to your roof, windows and siding. Call us today to set up an appointment.

Posts Tagged ‘siding’

Spring Cleanup Checklist

Spring Cleanup Doesn’t Have To Be Daunting

Read More...

What siding is best for your climate?

Read More...

What type of wood is the best for siding?

Read More...

How to weatherproof your home for a Colorado winter

Read More...

What to do when Spring Storms Wreak Havoc on your Home

Follow these tips to make sure you and your home are protected after a severe storm:

1. Check the outside of your home for obvious damage.

2. Call a qualified contractor to inspect for less obvious damage.

3. Contact your insurance company.

4. Hire a qualified contractor to make repairs to your home.

HRTI’s experienced consultants and contractors are happy to come to your home to inspect for damage to your roof, windows and siding. Call us today to set up an appointment.

Read More...

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