A siding calendar for the Permian Basin
Siding in Midland takes a beating from sun, heat, wind and freezing nights rather than from humidity. NOAA's engineering weather data for Midland describes a hot, dry place: about 336 hours a year at 93°F or hotter, only about 60 hours with the wet-bulb temperature above 73°F, and about 46 freeze-thaw cycles in an average year. The tasks below match those seasons.
March to May: wind and dust season
- Rinse the walls with a garden hose and a soft brush to remove dust and grit. Grit scours finishes and holds moisture against the surface after rain.
- Check for loose pieces. Spring winds find every loose panel, corner trim and soffit. NOAA lists a 50-year basic wind speed of 90 mph for Midland.
- Look at the south and west walls for warping, fading or chalky paint left from last summer.
- Re-aim sprinklers before the watering season starts.
Hard water and sprinklers
The City of Midland says its water hardness ranges from 400 to 600 parts per million, about 23 to 35 grains per gallon. When sprinkler spray dries on a sunny wall, it leaves white mineral spots.
- Keep spray off the house entirely if you can. Drip irrigation near the foundation avoids the problem.
- Clean fresh spots early with a cleaner the siding manufacturer approves. Old deposits are much harder to remove.
- Don't scrub with abrasives, which dull the finish.
June to August: peak sun and heat
Midland's 1% summer design temperature is 97°F.
- Watch for warping on vinyl siding near windows that reflect sunlight, near grills and near dark surfaces such as asphalt drives.
- Shade helps. Awnings and trees on the west side reduce heat on the wall and the cooling load inside.
- Check caulk joints around windows, doors and penetrations. Daily heat cycles pull them apart.
September and October: seal before the cold
- Replace failed caulk with a sealant rated for exterior movement.
- Repaint wood trim where paint has cracked or peeled, while the weather is still warm and dry enough for paint to cure.
- Fix gaps at corners and where siding meets roofs, chimneys and stone.
November to February: freeze-thaw season
Midland's 99% winter design temperature is 22°F, and the city averages about 46 freeze-thaw cycles a year.
- Look for cracks in trim and siding after hard freezes. Water that gets in freezes and widens them.
- Clear gutters so snowmelt and rain don't spill down the walls.
- Note any spots that stay damp in shade after rain or a light snow; they need sealing in spring.
When to call a contractor
- Siding that is cracked, loose or warped in more than a few spots.
- Soft or swollen trim boards.
- Water stains inside on exterior walls.
Records
Keep the product name, color, install date and warranty. Fading and hail claims are easier with the original details in hand.