Protecting Your Waterfront Home From Moisture Damage: Lessons From Roofing And Siding Experts

Owning a boat and a waterfront property can feel like heaven. You’re very close to where to want to be when it’s time to head out on the water. Of course, what the situation makes up for in timing, it can add in the complexity of home maintenance.

Waterfront homes need special care on account of the moisture and weather exposure that happens when you live so close to the water. With these tips, you’ll gain a better understanding of how your home needs to be protected, just as your boat does.

Roofing

The roofing material provides the best protection from the elements. You count on the roof to keep the water out, as well as protect your possessions from high winds or humidity. To get this protection, you’ll need a material that can handle the salt and spray. Ask your roofing company

for recommendations based on your particular location and exposure conditions. Metal roofing, aluminum in particular, makes an effective choice for both durable boat canopies and waterfront homes. The material is lightweight, durable, and resistant to rain and salt. 

Siding

Living on the coast means that you sometimes have to deal with driving rain that pushes water in from the sides, not just the top. For casual boating, you might install canvas sides that you can bring down in a pinch. For your home, you’ll need a more permanent solution, even if you’re looking to achieve the same goal. Coastal homes tend to benefit most from the installation of fiber cement siding. Fiber cement is a durable material made of sand, cellulose fibers, and cement. The surface is incredibly moisture-resistant, and it can handle humidity with ease.

Sealing

Like your boat, your home has an exterior that needs to keep the water out. Although your home won’t sink due to a few errant droplets, water damage from high humidity or wind-driven rain can be a serious problem that gets worse over time. Sealing provides the solution. You need to make a tight envelope for the home exterior, just like you would for your boat’s hull. Identify gaps in the structure and seal them with caulk. Loose spots in your siding or missing shingles on your roof might require attention from a professional to minimize the damage and ensure that you solve the problem.

Ventilation

Ventilation is key to keeping your home feeling fresh and clean. The ventilation of the structure cycles out stale air, providing a steady stream of fresh, filtered air. Although you might think of ventilation as simply contributing to heating or cooling, it performs other functions. Ventilation encourages evaporation, which can help you maintain healthy indoor humidity levels. Sufficient ventilation and a tight seal for the home can assist you in keeping contaminants and moisture out, so your home is as healthy and comfortable as a day out on the water.

Moisture-Resistant Finishes

Although the building materials should do the best job of keeping water out of your home, a little finish can make all the difference. On your boat, you might apply a layer of epoxy or marine-grade polyurethane to create a waterproof barrier on the hull or decking. For your home, the paint choice affects its waterproofing. Acrylic latex paint is ideal to reduce damage from UV rays and allow trapped moisture to evaporate. Elastomeric paint minimizes cracking and resists corrosion from salt buildup.

When you think about it, the way that you keep water, salt, and humidity from damaging your boat is similar to the approach you might take to maintenance of a waterfront home. By considering roofing, siding, ventilation, finishes, and sealing, you can create a home that looks and functions as beautifully as your boat. 

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