Stucco allows water absorption. Water rots sheathing. Masonry stain or penetrating finish helps stop water entry and still allows vapor release to the outside.
Q&A /
Concrete driveways are susceptible to damage from deicing salts and freezing temperatures. Ice crystals form in the cement and need a place to expand. Your concrete should have an additive mixed in to create air pockets for these ice crystals.
Asphalt shingles are very common in the Midwest. What happens when they fail? Problems can be caused through the location of nails, the sealing compound beneath the shingles, installing shingles in the cold and not using felt paper.
Garage door springs do most of the work of lifting your garage door. You, or your garage door opener give the springs the start they need to do the work. Garage door springs should never be adjusted by anyone other than a knowledgeable professional. Keep your door and springs in good working order.
For wood siding, there are four kinds of galvanized siding nails you can consider: mechanical plated, hot-galvanizing, electroplated and hot dipped. But near an ocean, the best exterior nail is stainless steel.
Cedar siding is a wonderful siding. Cedar siding stains are unwelcome guests. These are extractive bleeding stains caused by water leaking behind your siding and depositing natural chemicals. To prevent this, prime the wood with oil-based paint or special water-based primers that block the stains.
Stone veneer gives you the look of real stone if you can afford it. But manufactured stone veneers can be purchased that will fool even the best geologist! This artificial stone is lighter in weight, and will adhere with no foundation support. Just use mortar for stone veneer installation on many different surfaces.
Negative slope causes a majority of basement or crawlspace drainage problems. Having landscaping work done on a home can cause drainage problems around your house. Try installing a linear French drain to trap and pipe water before it gets inside your house.
Asphalt driveways will lose their flexibility if not properly sealed. Flexibility helps asphalt driveways to resist cracking. Asphalt sealers need to be applied within the first year and then whenever the blacktop begins to wear.
You must clean and seal treated lumber. Oxygen bleach is a great, non-toxic cleaner. Seal with a penetrating water repellent. Make sure it has synthetic oils and resins. Algae and mildew will return to feed on a film forming sealer.
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