siding+trimwork

s you approach the house for the first time, . Is the wood sound, or , such as peeling paint, dirt, or mold? All are signs that the owner has let things go. Then look at the siding: If the paint is peeling, blistering, or faded, that’s a sign of deferred maintenance. Look further: if the wood trim on the porch and under the eaves still appears to be mostly sound, and the clapboards do, too, the house is probably sound. • If the house is brick, . Brick lasts practically forever, but mortar can deteriorate and usually needs repointing (a method of refilling missing material) every 60 or 70 years. Mortar that crumbles at a touch or is missing altogether in sections are warning signs that an extensive repair is needed.