Looking after siding in Staunton
Siding rarely fails all at once. It loosens at a corner, a caulk joint opens, a downspout starts dumping water against the same spot, and a few years later a section of sheathing is soft. A short walk around the house each season catches most of that early. This checklist sets out what to look at and when, without quoting any weather figures.
Before you repair: check the district
The City of Staunton has five nationally registered Historic Preservation Districts: Gospel Hill, Beverley, The Wharf, Stuart Addition and Newtown. Section 18.85 of the Staunton City Code gives the Historic Preservation Commission the role of reviewing and approving repairs and modifications in those districts.
If a seasonal check turns up work that needs doing, a few questions come before the repair:
- Does my house sit in one of those five districts?
- Would replacing a few boards, or repainting, count as a repair the Commission reviews?
- Whom should I ask at the city, and how long does a decision take?
- Is it wiser to make a temporary fix to keep water out while I wait?
Write down the answers and the date you got them.
Winter
- Look along the eaves after snow or ice for water backing up under the roof edge and running down the wall.
- Keep snow off the lowest course. Shovel it away from the foundation rather than piling it against the siding.
- Go gently with vinyl in the cold. It can crack if struck, so keep shovels, ladders and toys clear of it.
- Check inside near windows and corners for damp spots, stains or bubbled paint.
- Make a list of repairs to tackle once the weather allows.
Spring
- Walk the house in a heavy rain. Note where gutters overflow and where water splashes back onto the walls.
- Clean gutters and extend downspouts so water lands away from the foundation.
- Check window and door heads for streaks or stains that suggest flashing problems.
- Press on the bottom boards and on sills for softness.
- Reset loose pieces and corner trim before spring storms work them free.
- Book contractors early for any larger repair or re-side.
Summer
- Wash the siding with a garden hose, a soft brush and a cleaner the manufacturer allows. Skip the pressure washer, which can force water behind laps.
- Look for mildew on shaded walls and behind shrubs.
- Trim plants back so air can move between leaves and the wall.
- Aim sprinklers away from the house.
- Paint and caulk within the limits printed on the label, and avoid walls in hot afternoon sun.
Fall
- Finish exterior paint and caulk while it can still cure properly.
- Seal gaps around pipes, wires, vents and meters.
- Clean gutters again after the leaves drop.
- Shut off and drain outside faucets, and put hoses away.
- Move firewood and stored items a short distance from the walls.
If you rent the house out
QuickFacts from the U.S. Census Bureau gives Staunton an owner-occupied housing unit rate of 60.9% for 2020-2024, across 11,309 households. If your house is one that you rent to others:
- Ask tenants to report loose panels, leaks or damp walls promptly, in writing.
- Schedule your seasonal walk around their availability and give notice.
- Keep dated photos of each wall so you can tell old damage from new.
Signs that call for a closer look
Some findings shouldn't wait for the next season's walk. Call a contractor soon if you notice:
- boards or panels that are cracked, warped or pulling away from the wall;
- siding that feels soft or spongy when pressed, especially near the ground or under windows;
- paint that keeps peeling in the same spot after you repaint it;
- gaps that let you see the barrier or sheathing behind the siding;
- wasp nests or insect trails coming out of joints;
- water stains on interior walls that line up with an exterior seam.
Take a photo of each one with something in the frame for scale, and note the date.
Why the record pays off
QuickFacts lists the median value of owner-occupied housing units in Staunton at $259,200 for 2020-2024. Whatever your house is worth, a dated file of photos, receipts and product names makes the next repair simpler and helps when you sell. Keep:
- the siding brand, profile and color;
- paint and caulk names;
- invoices for every repair;
- any correspondence with the city about district review;
- product and workmanship warranty papers.
When the list gets long
If a check finds more than a handful of damaged pieces, or soft sheathing, it is time for written bids. Ask at least two contractors to price the same scope. Look each business up on the license lookup at Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Ask which city permits the job needs and who pulls them, whether any district review applies and who prepares that submittal, and ask for proof of liability coverage and workers' compensation.