Category Archives: Basement

Fixing Siding Damaged Vinyl Protection possible water damage leaks

Vinyl is tough , but not indestructible – it often cracks under impact. This is especially true at low temperatures =. Patch small cracks by removing the damaged piece , cleaning the crack PVC primer, and gluing a patch of scrap siding from behind with PVC cement.

If large areas are damaged , the entire piece may have to be replaced . This isn t a major undertaking, because replacement pieces are fairly easy to install. But vinyl siding does fade with time, so your patch or replacement piece may not be perfect color match at first.

It s easy to remove a damaged section because each course of vinyl locks into the course below or beside it. The siding is nailed through a flange molded into the top of the course . All you need is a simple tool, called a zip tool, to unlock the pieces. When working with vertical siding, you pull the zip tool down the seam.

Restoring Aluminum

Although siding provides good weather protection and is easy to maintain , a stray baseball or large hailstones can dent it. Slight damage can be patched the procedure for repairing dents in aluminum siding is a lot like repairing a dented car fender . It consist of pulling out the dent , sanding the area , and applying two-part auto body putty. Once the surface is dry , you can san , prime, and paint it. For minor surface imperfections , you can use steel wool . It also helps to know the manufacturer and color of the siding , because you may be able to purchase a touch up kit in the original color.

You may need need to replace areas with more serious damage , although you should try other repairs, first for two reasons. First aluminum is not as flexible as vinyl; its more difficult to weave one piece into an existing wall. Second you may not find replacement pieces that match your old siding. If the repair is in a conspicuous place, you may want to consider removing and using a piece from a less obvious part of the house and then replacing that piece with new material.

Important for water damage mold issue is the r value factor and vapor barriers between the siding drywall.
A vapor barrier is a layer of thin material , typically thin plastic sheeting and sometimes foil, that prevents moisture generated inside the house from seeping into exterior the wall and condensing . It lies over the wall frame, under the drywall. Without this barrier , which is standard in modern homes but lacking in many built in 1960, moisture working through the wall can meet a surface that is below the dew point temperature . Thats when moisture becomes water that can soak insulation , cause rot in the wall frame , and peel paint mold damage. If you are installing new siding, don t add a vapor barrier over the outside wall . It will stop moisture from escaping. And much of the damage can be hidden until the problems mushroom into major repair projects such water damage or mold remediation .

Brick Mason Repairs Water Proofing Basements Damage

Repairing Block Walls

Usually, the first repair you ll need to make to a block structure will be repointing – using fresh mortar to replace mortar joints that have failed . This process is the same for brick ; Other simple cosmetic repairs to a block structure involve reinforcing a damaged area with a patch of repair compound ,or coating the block with paint , stucco, or mortar .

Foundations Wall Repair Water damage

If a block or brick foundation has cracked and chipped on the surface but is still structurally sound, there are several repair options, including repointing the mortar joints, replacing badly chipped units, and covering with stucco. If the bricks or blocks don t wobble in and out of line too much , you can use 1/2 inch pressure-treated plywood or foam board to bridge the nooks and crannies that let in water and moisture. Even small openings can eventually ruin the foundation s appearance and sap its strength.

To make a complete seal and create a neat line near the ground, clear away enough dirt so that the bottom few inches of the new covering can be buried, can tuck the upper edge into a liberal bed of caulking below the house siding. Although pressure-treated wood will resist rot, you might refill the small trench with gravel to encourage drainage before replacing the top layer of sod. The only trick part of simple operation is nailing the covering panels into the brick . Get an assist by lacing the backs of the covering panels with construction adhesive ; then use several hardened masonry or cut nails to lock each sheet in place. Nailing into the mortar between bricks is easiest if you can gauge the courses of brick.

For a neutral , masonry – like finish , coat the covering material with heavy – bodied gray exterior stain. From a few feet away , it will look like stucco. While you re at it, consider adding a layer of rigid foam insulating the exposed portion of the foundation.

Painting Block

If you plan to finish masonry basement walls, there are special waterproofing paints that roll or brush on thickly, like wet plaster . First, you should patch any open or leaking cracks with a cement-based patching compound or hydraulic cement . Even on rough walls , surface application look better and last longer over sound, uncracked surfaces.

For painting , opt for a heavy-napped roller , called a bulldozer by professional painter because it can be loaded with thick paint and it will push the excess along the wall just as a bulldozer pushes dirt. The thick , ragged nap is essential when working on rough masonry . It helps to work the viscous paint into surface crevices and the joints between courses of concrete foundation block .

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