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Exterior Finishes
CONCRETE
Concrete is used in several areas of your new home. It is used for the foundation, sidewalks, and driveway.
FOUNDATION – The foundation carries the weight of your home. If your home is on a basement, the foundation walls are poured concrete. Foundations are subject to a wide range of stresses and strains like extreme seasonal temperature changes. These changes can cause concrete to expand and contract. Shrinkage is also a part of the normal curing process and it can take several months to complete. When this occurs, hairline cracks may develop. These cracks are normal and do not affect the structural integrity or performance of the foundation. They are not considered defects.
Condensation can also occur on the foundation walls in the basement. It appears as though moisture is seeping down the walls or that the pipes are leaking. Condensation occurs when warm, moist air inside the home comes in contact with a cold surface, such as windows or basement walls. Actually, a perfectly dry basement may have wet walls because the moisture in the air condenses on cold basement walls in the warmer months.
DRIVEWAYS AND SIDEWALKS – Various materials are used for drives and walks but the material of choice at Patrick Malloy is concrete.
We have anticipated stresses on concrete driveways and sidewalks by installing expansion joints to minimize cracking. Having said that, cracking is one of the characteristics of concrete and there isn’t a method to totally eliminate cracking in concrete yet. Ordinarily, these cracks are of no serious consequence and do not affect the integrity of the concrete.
DECKS
Your deck is made of pressure treated wood which will resist decay and termite infestation. Although the wood used is pressure treated, some maintenance is required to protect from moisture. Once the deck dries out, it is important to apply a coat of water repellent and preservative, do this at least yearly.
Splitting and twisting may occur to pressure treated wood as it cures and dries. This is not considered a defect. Over time a floor board may warp, causing a nail to pop up, if this happens, screw down or replace the board.
It is not wise to put excessive weight, like hot tubs, onto your deck, as this can cause structural damage and be very dangerous.
EXTERIOR FINISHES
The exterior of your home may be composed of several different products. Fiber cement siding, brick, stone veneers just to name a few. The exterior trim may be a combination of plywood, wood, or other composite materials.
Mildew is commonly found in humid climates and on surfaces that are exposed to moisture. To remove mildew, scrub with a clean, soft bristle brush using a solution of bleach and water.
Fiber cement siding is very durable and withstands the elements extremely well. It is painted with a high quality exterior paint. If your siding incurs dents, chips, or cracks, these can be patched with a cement-based patching compound, then the area can be touched up with the proper paint. In order to clean painted surfaces, use a mild detergent and spray gently with a hose.
If any of your siding should come loose, it should be re-nailed with a galvanized corrosion-resistant nail. It’s important to remove old caulking by scraping it off before re-caulking.
Vinyl siding gives the look of wood, but with far less maintenance. It is installed to allow for the expansion and contraction of your home that will occur with temperature changes. Some deflection of the vinyl siding can be expected.
Brick and Stone will expand and contract as well. Therefore, minor chipping and cracking should be expected in the joints. Variations of color and size are to be expected because no two bricks or stones are exactly alike. If a white powdery substance were to occur on the brick or stone, do not be alarmed, this is a normal occurrence. This is known as efflorescence, and is caused by alkali salts bleeding out of the brick or stone. This can be removed with the proper chemicals and a soft brush.
Hardcoat stucco is intended to handle the elements well. It will experience some fading in the direct sunlight but should fade in a uniform manner. Hairline cracks in stucco are considered normal. Large cracks should be repaired by a stucco contractor.
NOTE: It is absolutely necessary to maintain the caulk joints between the exterior finishes and the trim around your windows, doors, and other openings exposed to the elements. Areas that are not caulked or that are improperly caulked allow water to seep into the walls of your home causing leaks. Seasonally, and before washing any siding surface, inspect the caulking and re-seal all areas that show any signs of separation or wear. Separation and cracking of caulk is normal, and the maintenance of these areas is solely the responsibility of the homeowner.