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 Aluminum siding is almost a
maintenance-free product, requiring only occasional washing down with a garden
hose to keep the house looking good. Vinyl siding has many of the same features as aluminum siding. Both
materials, when installed, are nailed/hung on sheathing that is covered with
felt paper. By hung, we mean that the nails are not driven firmly into the
sheathing, they are just driven until the siding is at the wall and straight.
The main reason that they are hung on the wall is to give them room to expand
and contract. Vinyl siding expands and contracts more than aluminum siding. You
can see how much aluminum moves if you are inspecting the siding when it is in
contraction (cooler times of the year or evenings). You may see the paint
scratched at some of the vertical joints. Vinyl siding should move freely from
side to side after installation. You should be able to move it with relative
ease.
- Look
for loose pieces of siding. They could be anywhere. High winds may cause pieces
to come loose. Repairing/securing a small amount of the siding is relatively
easy.
- Look
for dents or damage that may have been caused by lawn mowers, baseballs or golf
balls, etc. If pieces have to be replaced, the paint color is not likely to
match.
- Check
the plane of the wall for inflections, bows or other irregularities that may
indicate another type of problem. The siding may loosen and buckle at the 1st
or 2nd floor band joist due to lumber shrinkage, with the 2nd
floor being the most common area.
- Check
the installation. It should have room to expand at the windows, etc. Caulk is
not necessary if the siding was installed with the proper “J” channels and
corner posts etc. at windows, doors, chimneys, corners, top and at Soffits etc.
- Check
the condition of the paint on the siding. The paint starts to chalk after 6 or
7 years with inexpensive siding; it may take 12 to 14 years with a better
siding. If the paint is chalking and dull, it can be cleaned/power-washed and
repainted.
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