Getting your exterior cladding in Mildenhall properly installed is only half the story - knowing how to look after it is what keeps problems from coming back.
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
Exterior cladding is designed to be low-maintenance compared to painted render or exposed masonry, but low-maintenance is not the same as no-maintenance. Cladding that is left completely unchecked for years will develop small problems - blocked drainage channels, failing sealant, loose fixings - that are inexpensive to sort out early and can become costly if they are left until water has found its way into the wall behind.
We install and replace cladding on homes and commercial properties in Mildenhall and nearby, working from Thetford. Part of doing the job properly is making sure you understand what to check for afterwards, so that the work we do stays in good condition.
Cladding forms a second skin over your building's walls, protecting the structure from rain, frost and wind while improving the appearance of the building. Cladding materials perform differently and each has its own maintenance needs, but all share the same basic requirement: the system needs to stay sealed, fixed and clear of debris to do its job.
A common problem is that blocked drainage gaps at the base of a cladding run allow water to pool rather than escape. This can lead to damp in the lower section of the wall even when the cladding itself is visually intact, because the water has nowhere to go except backwards into the building.
Once a year, walk around the outside of your home and look at the cladding methodically. You do not need to get on a ladder for this - a ground-level inspection picks up the majority of problems worth acting on. Look for:
If you spot any of these, note where they are and arrange for a contractor to take a look before winter. Most of these issues are quick and inexpensive to deal with before they develop further.
Most cladding materials benefit from an occasional wash-down to remove dirt, algae and the general grime that builds up on any external surface over a year or two. For uPVC and fibre cement, warm water and a soft brush or cloth is usually enough for light soiling. A diluted solution of household detergent can shift more stubborn marks without damaging the surface.
Avoid using a pressure washer at high pressure directly on cladding panels. High-pressure water can force its way behind panels at joints and edges, defeating the purpose of the cladding entirely. A gentle rinse from a garden hose is fine for washing off loose dirt; if you use a pressure washer, keep the pressure low and the nozzle at an angle that does not drive water upwards into the laps.
Timber cladding needs treating or repainting according to the product manufacturer's recommendations, typically every three to five years depending on the finish used and how exposed the elevation is. Letting timber cladding go beyond that without attention will lead to the surface opening up and moisture getting into the wood, which accelerates deterioration significantly.
Sealant joints around windows, doors and at panel edges are the first part of any cladding system to need attention. Sealant is flexible when new, allowing for the natural movement that happens as a building heats and cools through the seasons. Over time, it hardens and loses flexibility, and then it cracks or pulls away from the surface it was bonded to.
Sealant around cladding typically needs inspection every three to five years and replacement when it has started to crack or detach. This is not a big job. A competent contractor can re-seal the affected areas in a short visit, and doing it before water penetrates keeps the cost of maintaining the system well down. Left much longer, failed sealant leads to water tracking behind the panels and into the wall, where the damage becomes much more expensive to resolve.
When getting sealant replaced, make sure the contractor removes the old material fully before applying new product. Applying new sealant over old that has already failed does not bond correctly and will not last.
Cladding systems fitted to a drained and ventilated cavity rely on a clear gap at the base for any water that does penetrate to escape. This gap can become blocked with leaves, soil and debris, particularly during autumn. Checking it once or twice a year and clearing any blockage with a stiff brush takes only a few minutes and prevents a recurring damp problem.
If you notice that the base of your cladding is sitting close to or in contact with a flower bed, path, or built-up soil, this is worth raising with a contractor. Cladding should terminate a minimum distance above the ground and above any horizontal surface that could direct water back against the wall.
Some things are worth getting looked at promptly rather than leaving until your next annual check. Call a contractor if you notice:
An open panel or a cracked junction is an immediate entry point for water, and a wet winter will make the resulting damage significantly worse if the problem is left.
If you are having new cladding installed or replacing sections, the panels used should carry either a CE mark or a UKCA mark, indicating they have been tested against defined performance standards. This matters both for the quality of the product and for any building control considerations if you are carrying out significant work. Ask your contractor about the product specification before work starts.
We cover Mildenhall from our base in Thetford. If you want a check of your existing cladding or you are thinking about installation or replacement, call us to arrange a visit and we will give you a plain account of what is needed.
No obligation · We'll call you to arrange a free visit
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
