A routine seal on cut edges kept a job dry during a storm

I used to overlook sealing the cut edges on vinyl siding, considering it unnecessary. After several projects with moisture issues, I began sealing every cut prior to installation. Recently, a heavy rain occurred just after we completed a side, and the client mentioned the interior remained dry. This minor practice prevents return trips for repairs, which I appreciate. Now, a sealant tube stays in my tool belt for convenience. That brief moment per cut avoids significant future trouble.

3 comments

3 Comments

jamiemurphy1mo ago

Sealing those edges probably helps with thermal expansion too, keeping the whole system tighter over time. Saves on callbacks and boosts your rep for attention to detail.

aaron_ellis801mo ago

Maybe sealing's more about moisture than thermal expansion, idk.

vera5141mo ago

Saw a garage job go bad from unsealed cuts last spring. Moisture built up behind the siding and stained the interior wall. Now I seal each cut with a bead of clear silicone before locking the piece in place. It takes an extra thirty seconds but stops all that future trouble. My crew gives me grief for being picky, but we haven't had a leak since. That little tube of sealant is the best insurance I've got.