Many homeowners are influenced by the trends when choosing a siding material for their exterior walls. Popular siding options like fiber cement, however, aren’t always the best choice, especially if you consider the risks of efflorescence.
What Is Efflorescence?
In a nutshell, efflorescence is a chemical process that causes the discoloration of cement-based products like stucco, concrete and fiber cement. The presence of salt and moisture is what triggers this problem.
Since fiber cement siding is porous, it absorbs moisture that dissolves the salt content of the siding. This leaves behind crusty and white salt deposits, which can compromise your siding’s beauty. While it efflorescence is harmless, who would want to scrub off these stains?
Removing Efflorescence
Cleaning the residues from efflorescence is more challenging than you may think. In fact, it is a time-consuming and labor-intensive activity. Some siding experts recommend pressure washing or pouring acid on the surface to eliminate mineral deposits.
LP® SmartSide® Siding
To avoid dealing with this problem, consider investing in LP® SmartSide® siding. This engineered wood product is not prone to efflorescence discoloration and comes in a wide selection of profiles, including lap, panel and cedar texture shakes and shingles. You then don’t have to worry about hours of scrubbing off white salt-like stains on your siding system.
Count on Pechacek’s General Contracting, Roofing & Siding LLC for your siding installation project. Our team will walk you through the variety of siding options to help you make the most of your investment. We also provide professional gutter installation to protect your home from water damage. Call us today at (715) 502-2006, or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment. We serve residents of Hudson and River Falls, WI, and other nearby locations.