So just how close is too close when it comes to where your siding ends and where your soil/landscaping begins? The answer is at least 4-6 inches. We recently purchased an investment property and my concentration was in the basement along a back wall that had two problems that I could see. There was some water damage to the drywall, ceiling tiles, carpet, insulation, etc. due to a copper pipe that split and was leaking water when the water supply was turned on. As I was removing all of the above mentioned materials, I found what appears to be chipmunk? droppings. At least I am hoping it is something so benign! This peaked my curiosity. There really appears to be only one way into the basement in this area and that is through a window directly above the affected area. So outside I went. I knew with my training that the soil and siding were way too close, and I planned to address this later when we started to work on the outside. The soil actually was overlapping the vinyl siding in some areas especially under the window. The problem is that there is sheathing directly underneath the siding and it is in contact with the soil as well. We all know that untreated wood, which sheathing is, absorbs moisture when in contact with dirt. Especially dirt that gets wet. I found that the wood sheathing was rotten. Now my job will be more involved than I thought it would be. Although I’ve never removed siding, how hard can it be?
Let this be a lesson to you! Take a walk around your house and look at the bottom edge and make sure you have at least 4-6 inches of clearance, and that the ground slopes AWAY from your foundation. Even if you have aluminum or vinyl siding, what do you have underneath it? Another concern that you should have when soil and wood come into contact is Wood Destroying Insects such as termites. Having wood touching soil, and wet wood is like having an OPEN ALL NIGHT, ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET, FOR JUST $1.99 AND 50 GALLONS OF GAS FREE WITH DINNER RECEIPT!
