Cedar siding maintenance is more about keeping up the look and style of the cedar rather than its natural wood properties and siding capabilities. Cedar naturally has antibacterial and fungal properties allowing it to resist against warping, rotting, or cracking. Cedar does weather, however, which will cause it to change color over time and appear more rugged in aesthetics. The maintenance involved to keep up a cedar siding’s appearance includes re-staining or re-painting on a semi annual basis to preserve the appearance of the siding when it was initially installed and stained.
The climate in which a home is located will determine how often cedar siding maintenance is required.
Pressure Washing
As with any exterior siding material, you will extend its lifespan with an occasional pressure washing. Similar to a wooden deck, mold and algae can grow on cedar siding which can cause it to begin to deterioration and discoloration. When pressure washing your home’s cedar siding always set it to the lowest pressure and use water with a mix of detergent as a cleaning solution.
You may either perform the pressure washing yourself with a rental from a local hardware store or equipment rental company or hire a professional. If you are pressure washing yourself, just make sure to avoid damaging any of the wood’s soft surfaces, making sure you are always on a low pressure setting, working with the wood’s natural grain, and not standing too closely to the house. Once your siding is clean it is ready for painting or staining, if needed.
Staining and Painting
Most homeowners wish to upkeep the style of their cedar siding as new; they prefer not to let it naturally age and discolor. In order to keep the cedar’s color from aging it is recommended to stain or paint the cedar every 3 to 5 years. Depending on your home’s structure and surroundings some sides may be more exposed to direct sunlight or weather and require more upkeep than others.
Extractive Bleeding
Cedar naturally has tannin, an organic substance used in leather production and ink manufacture, that can stain the siding. The staining is naturally caused by water or iron in contact with the wood. It can usually be easily removed by rinsing with a water hose or using a mild cleaning solution.
Chalking
When paint begins to weather, it can produce a white pigment known as chalking. The chalking will begin to appear on your siding as a fine, white dust. In order to get rid of the chalking, you will need to clean the siding’s surface, sand any of the flaking paint areas, and finally repaint or retain the cedar.
Paint peeling, flaking, or blistering
If your cedar siding begins to peel, flake, or blister after either painting or sealing the wood, then contact your contractor. Cedar typically takes paint or stain very well and problems only arise if the wood is wet and rejecting the sealant. Otherwise, besides the cleaning and repainting every few years, it should not require further maintenance.
Cedar Siding Maintenance in Cincinnati
The natural beauty of cedar siding does require maintenance, but it is usually a price and time sacrifice worthwhile to homeowners. If you have further questions about cedar siding, cedar siding repair, or cedar siding maintenance in Cincinnati, contact the experienced experts at EMA Construction. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to review any concerns or processes with you about your home specifically.