Summer is here! The sun is shining, bugs are crawling, flowers are blooming and your house should be drying. Summer is the time to let your siding dry out after snowy winters and April showers in order to slow decay and lengthen its lifespan. Vegetation is the biggest culprit. During this time of year, you should make sure to trim back the bushes that are close to your house to allow the wood to dry and prevent rot.
When bushes are touching your siding, they keep moisture and insects in constant contact with your house which can cause it to decay. The water wicks up the wood creating an even larger problem for the future. To prevent this, make sure to trim your vegetation away from your house about a foot; this allows air to flow between the house and the bushes, allowing it to dry out.
In addition, make sure that bark mulch and dirt don’t reach the height of your siding. Organic materials like these hold moisture and will add to the decay. Rake these away from your siding and consider putting in gravel around the sides of your house to whisk water away.
Both of these things will help to prevent decay and keep your house in better condition. For more information please email us at rick@rsabuilds.com or call 978-341-4790.
Happy Pruning!