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Long-Term Care: Maintenance and Repair for Your Barndominium Kit Structure
You have invested time and money into building one of our barndominium kits, and now you want it to last. While these structures are built with premium materials like TimberPrestige™ framing and engineered siding, they are not maintenance-free.
Barndominium maintenance is the key to protecting your investment. Unlike a steel building that you might just wash down, a wood-framed kit requires specific care to fight off the elements. This guide breaks down the essential tasks you need to perform to keep your Handcrafted Homestead or Crafted Colossal looking new for decades.
Key Takeaways
- Paint Protection: You must apply two coats of acrylic latex paint to the LP® SmartSide® siding and repaint every few years to maintain the warranty.
- Ground Clearance: Keep soil and mulch at least 6 to 8 inches away from the bottom edge of your siding to prevent rot and moisture wicking.
- Roof Routine: Inspect your shingles or metal roofing annually and after major storms to replace damaged sections and check flashing seals.
- Foundation Check: Monitor concrete slabs for settling cracks or ensure wood floor crawlspaces remain ventilated and dry to deter termites.
- Seal the Gaps: Regularly check and replace caulking around windows and doors to keep water and pests out of your wall cavities.
How Do You Maintain the Exterior Siding?
The LP® SmartSide® panels on your kit are tough, but they rely on a good paint job to shed water.
Painting and Sealing: The siding comes primed, but that is just a base layer. You must apply a finish coat.
- The Rule of Two: You should apply two coats of high-quality exterior latex acrylic paint.
- The Critical Edge: Do not forget the bottom edge. You must paint the bottom drip edge of the siding panels to prevent water from soaking up into the wood.
Vegetation Management: Wood and wet dirt are a bad combination.
- The 6-Inch Rule: You need to maintain at least 6 to 8 inches of clearance between the ground and the bottom of your siding.
- Landscaping: Don't let garden mulch build up against the walls. Keep shrubs and bushes at least 1 foot away from the building to allow airflow and prevent mold growth on the siding.
What Should You Look for on the Roof?
Your roof takes the hardest beating from the sun and rain. Whether you installed architectural shingles or a metal roof, regular inspections are vital.
Shingle Care: Most kit builders use asphalt shingles.
- Post-Storm Check: After a heavy windstorm, look for lifted or missing tabs. You can seal loose shingles back down with roofing cement.
- Ridge Vent: Ensure the ridge vent (the slot at the peak of the roof) remains free of debris like wet leaves or moss. This vent allows hot air to escape and prevents your roof sheathing from rotting.
Flashing and Seals: If you built a Colossal model with dormers, you have complex valleys where the roofs meet.
- Step Flashing: Check the metal flashing around the dormers and chimney pipes annually. If the sealant looks cracked, remove it and apply a fresh bead of roofing silicone.
How Do You Protect the Foundation?
Your foundation supports the entire weight of the house. Problems here can cause walls to crack or doors to stick.
Concrete Slab Maintenance
If you built on a slab, walk the perimeter.
- Drainage: Ensure the soil slopes away from the slab. If water pools against the concrete, it can undermine the footing.
- Cracks: Small hairline cracks are normal. Larger cracks (wider than 1/8 inch) should be sealed with concrete filler to prevent water intrusion and freeze-thaw damage.
Wood Floor Systems
If you used a pier-and-beam foundation with the kit's floor system:
- Ventilation: Check that your skirting vents are open. Damp air trapped in the crawlspace leads to rot.
- Leveling: Over time, piers can settle. If your floor feels bouncy or unlevel, you may need to adjust the shims on top of your concrete blocks or runners.
When Should You Reseal Windows and Doors?
Water loves to find a way in through the openings. The caulking you applied during construction will eventually dry out and shrink.
The Inspection: Look at the trim around your windows and doors. If you see gaps or if the caulk is peeling, it is time to refresh it.
- Recaulking: Scrape out the old caulk before applying new. You should apply a high-quality exterior sealant around the window frames and under the door thresholds.
Weatherstripping: Drafts cost you money. Check the rubber weatherstripping on your walk-in doors. If it is brittle or torn, peel it out and press in a new kerf-style strip. It is a cheap fix that makes a big difference in comfort.
How Do You Keep Pests Out?
A wood barn is a cozy home for you, but bugs like it too.
Termites and Ants: Since the frame is wood, you must be vigilant.
- Visual Check: Look for "mud tubes" on your foundation walls. These are tunnels termites build to reach the wood.
- Treatment: Spray a perimeter defense insecticide around the base of the foundation twice a year.
Rodent Proofing: Mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime.
- Gap Filling: Walk around your building with a can of expanding foam. Fill any gaps where pipes enter the wall or where the siding corners meet. Steel wool is also great for stuffing into small holes because mice cannot chew through it.
Have any questions or would like to place an order? We'd love to help! Chat with our friendly customer service team by calling 1-844-945-3625, chatting in on our website or email us at customersupport@wildoaktrail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I paint my barndominium siding?
You should repaint your LP SmartSide siding every 5 to 10 years, depending on the quality of paint used and your local weather conditions.
Can I pressure wash my barndominium kit?
Yes, but use low pressure. High pressure can force water behind the siding or damage the wood surface. Use a garden hose and a soft brush instead.
How do I stop condensation on my metal roof?
If you have a metal roof, ensure you have proper insulation and ventilation. A ridge vent combined with soffit vents allows moisture to escape.
What is the best way to clean the windows?
Use a mixture of water and mild dish soap. Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage the vinyl frames or the rubber seals around the glass.
Do I need to treat the wood floor runners?
The runners provided are usually pressure-treated, but applying a wood preservative to cut ends or exposed areas adds extra protection against rot.
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