Clapboard Siding Maintenance

A more environmentally friendly option is vinegar which is also effective in cleaning mold.

Clapboard siding maintenance.

It s easier to replace a few damaged clapboards than to backpedal after your siding has begun to rot from moisture exposure. The paint or stain coating the wood must be. Dusty climates will require more frequent washing. Allow the primer to dry and you re ready for the final coat of paint.

The paint that covers your siding is the most important part of protecting your clapboard siding from rain snow and the heat of the sun. Genuine cedar siding is going to require washing and staining sealing or painting on a regular basis. For general cleaning use a soap and water solution to scrub the siding and then wash it down. Power wash every two to four years.

Wood siding is one of the most beautiful of all types of siding and one of the most expensive. It s best to hire a siding company or a carpenter to replace the broken sections. If you have mold and mildew problems you can use some bleach. If you d like to avoid repairs that could cost thousands of dollars and you d like to keep your clapboard shingles or board and batten lasting for decades regular upkeep and maintenance is critical.

A mild non phosphate detergent is recommended. Pay special attention to siding located near the ground and at junctures where the siding meets other building materials. You need to check the clapboard siding routinely for cracked or broken boards. Caulk the end joint and prime the front of each clapboard image 3.

Choosing the right sealer. Minor damage next look for more subtle telltale signs of deterioration problems such as discoloration rusted nails. If you find damaged areas in your paint scrape them off then sand the edges smooth. Compared to today s vinyl siding wooden clapboards are high maintenance.

Paint and prime the siding after the first course of siding is up image 1 you can start adding the rest slipping them under the courses above and nailing in place image 2. It acts as a protective barrier.