Home Sweet Home Magazine - Sept 2021

siding, run a dental pick or other small sharp object across the surface to add some grooves that match the wood-grain pattern. Use some denatured alcohol to wipe the surface and apply your matching paint. The paint store canmatch an existing sample if you don’t have extra paint around the house. Be sure to use flat paint, since a shinier finish will stand out against the surrounding area. Wood siding will also weather and crack, commonly where nails hold planks in place. For smaller cracks, use an acrylic, latex caulking to fill the gap. For rotting trim around windows and doors, you can replace the boards. However, if it’s part of the window frame, that can become a major project. Instead, chisel out the rotten wood and completely remove all debris. Then, tape off the surrounding area with painter’s tape to protect it. Mix a commercial epoxy and press it into the spaces where the rotten wood used to be. Then smooth the surface and allow it to harden for a day or so. Once dry, sand it down and paint with a matching paint color.

filler and replacement materials will vary.

Groundwater is often the main culprit for foundation issues, so it’s important to identify the source of water issues andmake the necessary repairs. If the deterioration, called spalling, is minor, you can tackle the project yourself. The process is similar to the mortar repair described above. Remove all loose concrete, and thoroughly clean the area. Then, apply a bonding agent and the new concrete. Cracked Concrete In addition to your foundation, concrete can crack and crumble in other areas of your home. On a garage floor, driveway, patio or basement wall, the fix can be resolved with a simple application of concrete caulk or liquid filler. A concrete patch kit is another great solution for many concrete fractures. However, preparation and technique are important for the best results. Again, it’s similar to the process of repairingmortar. Use an angle grinder for very rough edges if necessary, chisel out loose debris, clean the area and apply bonding adhesive. For very large cracks, use a mixture of Portland concrete to fill the gap. Cracked Siding The first step in the process is to identify the type of siding on your home. Each type of siding has a similar repair technique, but the

For example, vinyl siding is very popular. It’s weather resistant and affordable. However, nails and screws, or impact fromdaily activities, can leave you with holes and cracks. For a super quick, albeit unappealing fix, simply cut a section of vinyl siding from extra pieces and slide it over the damaged area. Then, screw it into the damaged plank from the bottom. This will protect the home but leaves an unsightly vertical seam on both sides of the patch. When you can come back around for a proper repair, you can remove the damaged plank and install a new one in its place. Replacing the section of siding is one option if the damage is extensive, but most cracks can be repaired. Start by thoroughly cleaning the area. You’ll then use a Bondo-type putty to fill in the holes. Once the putty hardens, knock off the extra and use a sanding block to make it smooth. If you want to match the texture of the existing

existing siding, run a dental pick or other small sharp object across

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