Ever since the late 1930’s when Aluminium Siding first burst onto the home builders scene, the term maintenance free has been used as a buzzword. Twenty years later, the phrase became even more widespread when vinyl siding made its appearance. The problem is that this phrasing is not entirely accurate!

Certainly, these two siding alternative products did vastly reduce the amount of upkeep necessary over traditional wood siding products. The task of painting the house exterior every few years had been all but eliminated. But we can’t simply ignore the exterior of our home just because it has vinyl siding!

Exhaust emissions, dirt, grime and dust all accumulate upon the surfaces of our siding. In some extreme cases, algae and similar substances manage to accumulate, leaving a very unsightly look to your castle. It is imperative that we keep up with regular cleaning of these types of siding. Not doing so allows the heat and beating rays of the sun to bake these elements onto the surface of the siding. The longer we wait between cleanings, the more possible it is that these stains penetrate the surface and leave permanent, and unsightly, stains.

Another problem area is the gutters on your home. These can be easily overlooked because, quite often, they are not in our line of sight. Not keeping these cleaned regularly allows dirt and shingle granules to combine with leaves and foliage which creates blockages and slow working gutters. Leaving them without maintenance allows for the decomposition of the organic material which then solidifies within the gutters and completely stops the flow of water as designed. When this happens, the water runs over the tops of the guttering, carrying with it the stains of the decaying material within. This causes permanent staining on the exterior surfaces of the gutter, usually blackish in color and is quite noticeable.

Maintenance free is a misnomer! Don’t get lulled into this false sense of security. Contracting to have your gutters cleaned regularly and also having your exterior pressure washed can help guard against permanent staining and keep high curb appeal for your home. At Final Coat Professional Painting, we can help you with these tasks. Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate. While you are at it, don’t forget your decks and concrete surfaces also!