Exterior Homeowner Check-up
As we transition from winter to spring, it’s a good time to get your home ready for summer with an exterior homeowner check-up. You only want water coming into your home through your pipes, but there are a lot of opportunities for water intrusion without proper home maintenance.
Harsh winters conditions especially in Colorado can put stress on our homes. Spring is a good time to inspect the exterior of your home to identify areas requiring maintenance. Here is a guide of things to look for to preserve your greatest investment.
Siding- Siding is the skin of the home’s exterior envelope and can be built using a variety of material types. Underneath the siding, there is a vapor barrier and then the substrate which makes up the exterior wall of the home. Here are some tips from the field to inspect common siding found throughout Colorado.
Stucco- Stucco is made of portland cement, sand and water. Stucco is applied wet and dries as a concrete feeling structure. Stucco is porous, therefore it can wick water. In other words, it can suck up water. It is important to fill cracks and gaps in stucco to prevent water intrusion.
FIber cement- Fiber cement siding is one of the most common types of siding we see on homes today. When painted and weather sealed properly, fiber cement can last many years. It is important to keep trees, bushes and shrubs off the fiber cement siding as they cause accelerated wear and create a good pathway for water and pest intrusion. It is also important to keep the grading at least 4” below the siding to prevent water from wicking up the bottom of the siding. The bottom course (lowest piece) is where we see the most damage of fiber cement siding.
Wood- Wood siding is one of the most expensive siding options depending on the material. Like fiber cement, wood is also vulnerable to water and pest intrusion. Keeping wood painted or water sealed is imperative to its long life.
Aluminum or metal siding- With proper maintenance metal siding can have a long life and minimal maintenance. Physical damage is a concern with metal siding; hail and other weather related damage can leave permanent damage that would require the course to be replaced.
Vinyl siding- Vinyl siding is a great, inexpensive option but it needs to be cleaned annually to prevent mold and mildew growth. Weather related damage is also a consideration when inspecting vinyl siding as hail hits can often leave holes in the siding that need to either be caulked and patched or replaced.
Windows and Doors
Improper maintenance of windows and doors can lead to siding issues. Think of the windows and doors as holes in the sides of a home. They require proper sealing on both the inside and outside of your home. Inside your home, windows and doors are properly sealed through application of caulking; however, caulking deteriorates and cracks overtime and requires annual homeowner checks. On the exterior of your home, you’ll see flashing around the doors and windows in addition to caulking. If you allow caulking to degrade, water can seep in through these weak spots behind the siding. Properly caulking the interior and exterior of windows also helps with the overall efficiency of the home. Additionally, make sure there is no damage to the flashing to ensure they are shedding water properly.
Window wells are also something to take into consideration. Uncovered window wells can collect leaves and debris causing a clog in the drainage. Keeping window wells properly covered and clean is a good idea for home maintenance.
Gutters and drainage systems.
Gutters redirect roof water shed to a safe distance from the home. The slope of a gutter drainage system should be ½ inch per every 10 feet to effectively move water to the downspouts. Take a look at the roof line; if gutters are dented or loose they can pool water and debris.
Gutter downspouts (termination point of the gutter) should slope a minimum of 4 feet away from the foundation of the home. We find many homes simply need a downspout extension.
Grading around the home
In regards to grading we are talking about soil, rocks or other landscaping that meets with the home's foundation. The grade of the land around a home should have a 6” drop for the first 10 feet.
We are happy to provide further information on any of the topics above. Simply drop us a line 720-683-9020.
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