Sun, heat and fading
Modesto's long, hot summers fade paint and dry out caulk on sunny walls. Vinyl siding in dark colors can warp if installed too tightly or exposed to reflected sunlight from nearby windows. Lighter colors, heat-resistant vinyl formulations and quality factory finishes on fiber cement and engineered wood hold up better.
Fog and damp walls
Winter tule fog in the San Joaquin Valley keeps walls damp for days, and most rain falls in winter. Walls on the north side, behind shrubs or under trees dry slowly. Water that gets behind siding at failed caulk or poor flashing can rot sheathing. When replacing siding, the contractor should inspect sheathing, install a new water-resistive barrier and flash openings properly.
Irrigation and the bottom edge
Many Modesto homes have sprinklers near the house. Sprinklers spraying siding keep the bottom edge wet, which damages paint and can swell engineered wood edges. Aim sprinklers away from walls, and keep soil and mulch below the bottom of the siding, at the clearance the manufacturer specifies.
Dust
Stanislaus County is part of the San Joaquin Valley area the EPA has classified as not meeting federal fine-particle standards, and dust settles on siding. Wash siding periodically with a garden hose and soft brush; avoid pressure washing, which can drive water behind siding. During siding removal and cutting, ask how the crew will control dust, especially from cutting fiber cement, which produces silica dust.
Older homes
Older Modesto homes may have wood siding with lead-based paint, which requires lead-safe practices during removal. Ask how the contractor handles it.
Choosing a material
Fiber cement is durable and fire resistant. Engineered wood offers a wood look at lower weight. Vinyl is affordable and low maintenance. Ask the contractor to compare products for your home's sun exposure and style.
Before you hire
Ask Modesto siding contractors whether they'll remove old siding and inspect sheathing, how they'll flash openings, what clearances they'll keep from soil and sprinklers, and what warranties cover. Look up the contractor's California license with the CSLB.
Maintenance
Inspect caulk around windows, doors and trim every spring, especially on south- and west-facing walls. Touch up paint on primed siding as soon as it wears. Trim plants back so walls get air and sun. Look at the bottom edge of the siding each year for swelling, peeling or damage from sprinklers and soil contact.
Permits
Some jurisdictions require a permit for re-siding, particularly when sheathing is replaced. Ask the contractor whether one is needed from the City of Modesto or Stanislaus County.
Windows and doors
A siding replacement is a good time to look at windows and doors. Flashing around them is installed with the siding, so if windows are near the end of their life, replacing them at the same time avoids disturbing new siding later. Ask the contractor to coordinate the two.
Gutters and downspouts
Overflowing gutters soak siding during winter storms. Clean gutters before the rainy season and make sure downspouts discharge away from walls.
Trim and corners
Corners, window trim and the joints between siding and trim are where water usually gets in. Ask the contractor how they'll flash and seal those details.