Sean Hughes


Ok, so your building is not a real human being, but it does share some similarities to those of us who have a heartbeat! Over the past few years, many of our clients have heard me refer to their communities as having “personalities”. It’s true! Your building has certain traits and characteristics that make it unique. As a parent, I should provide guidance and leadership to each of my children differently and according to their make-up. The same can be said of the buildings you provide leadership for. They are unique in terms of where they are located on your property. Are they close to trees? Have more shade than other buildings? Have more sun exposure on one side versus the other? Given just a few of those examples, all 5 (yes…5 sides if you include the roof!) have a personality you must manage. As you head into the spring, it’s time to get out on your property and analyze those personalities and tailor make a maintenance plan for your investment.


As you continue to read, I have provided a very basic overview of things to look for as you engage the routine areas of maintenance for your building exterior components.


Siding Maintenance 101:


Stucco Siding Since when was Stucco siding a good idea in the Northwest? Well, it’s not a bad option if kept under watch. Stucco can often attract woodpeckers if there is algae to snack on. The holes need to be repaired so they do not become a bird-condominium or an access for water intrusion. Stucco siding is also very porous. If you have trees leaking sap mold/algae can grow and it can take over. Go around your stucco siding at least once or twice a year and have your maintenance contractor remove any stains that are starting to form. Degreaser works well, and bleach might do the trick on the right color of stucco. Test in a discrete spot first.


Metal Siding


Metal siding can often be a great product for your building. Be sure to inspect annually for rust or other areas of deterioration. Have your painter properly prep the area and apply a rust resistant top coat.


Vinyl Siding


Vinyl siding is designed to be left alone if properly installed. It’s ideal to power wash your vinyl siding annually or as needed. The condition of your vinyl siding and algae growth or dirt and dust accumulation depends on many factors. The sides that have the most shade or trees nearby are most common for algae growth. Areas near busy streets can accumulate more dust than other sides. If you do have your siding power washed, make sure to specify with your contractor their methodology for cleaning. Will they be using an ecofriendly cleaning solution to first “wash” down the siding? When they power wash the solution off, you want to be certain they angle the water downward and never towards a seam. If they spray towards a seam it is very likely water will get behind the siding. Power washing your siding annually will most likely bring about a huge difference with regard to curb appeal for your community.


Wood Siding


Wood siding needs to be treated every 4 to 6 years depending on how fierce the elements are in your area. In the Pacific Northwest,


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there are several elements that can degrade your siding and paint coating. Areas with direct sunlight can fade more quickly than others. You can certainly save costs over time by placing your buildings on a painting schedule and only paint certain sides based on weathering, while waiting on painting the entire building until necessary.


Wood Siding Repair


Annually inspect your wood siding to avoid areas for water penetration and unwanted pests. Make sure to identify the problem first before making the repair. For example, is the wood beginning to rot because your gutter is leaking above? Does any of your landscaping run up against the siding? Is the caulk failing around windows or field joints? Siding repairs are fairly easy to fix by way of patching, caulking or simple replacement.


Roof Maintenance 101:


Composite Roofing The most commonly found roofing material in the Pacific Northwest is composite or asphalt shingle. Depending on the location of the roof (high exposure to sun or shade) it will require annual or semi-annual maintenance. Your roof should be free and clear of debris and moss. Regular moss treatment will help prolong the life of your roof, however aggressive cleaning should be avoided. For example, if you have heavy areas of moss it should be treated and killed before brushing it off. If you brush it too aggressively you could remove the granules from the shingles. If your roof is surrounded by trees that drop leaves or needles, you will need to clean your roof and gutters more often and on a strict schedule.


Membrane Roofing


It is critical to keep these flat roofs free and clear of debris. If your scuppers, gutters or downspouts are clogged, it can cause water to build up and pond. Water that ponds is extremely heavy! This could cause the seams in your membrane roof to wear out and stretch thus causing small leaks that could develop to larger ones over time.


Window Maintenance 101:


While inspecting your siding, be sure to include your windows. Look for gaps in the trim or siding that run against your windows. Any gaps in the caulking will allow moisture intrusion and need to be filled. With time and exposure to ultraviolet light, moisture, and temperature extremes, the seals can lose flexibility and fail. Check for signs of moisture in double or triple-paned windows. This indicates that the seal has failed and has to be replaced. A failed seal reduces the insulation capacity of your windows. If your windows have weep holes, make sure they are clear so that water can properly run out.


While these tips are not exhaustive, they are to be used as a guide and motivator to be an active participant in managing the personality of your property. To dive in deeper, contact your trusted WSCAI Business Partners and ask them to provide an inspection report on your community exterior building elements.


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