Yep, and someone face nailed every bit of it, which is about as bad as face nailing shingles. Especially with nothing but old black fiber board underneath.
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American homes, from what I’ve seen, resemble temporary homeless shelters in terms of construction quality. Maybe 20-year lifespan? I also need to use pressure for many areas. Sometimes a 1.5% SH mix is enough to clean the sidings, other times I have to use dreaded pressure. Not too much though, but still.
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You lost me there. My house was built 1995 and I would guess has minimum of 100 years left in it. Yes, it will need up keep along the way. Every building does.
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American homes will last but they need upkeep just like any building. We have very strict building codes. Most people here just like new construction and don’t stay in one house for a lifetime. The siding and shingles aren’t meant to last forever but they are easily replaceable and easy to upgrade.
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My siding was replaced by the previous owner. The builder had put on LP composite siding. Thankfully they replaced it with hardiboard siding. I would guess it’s got a minimum of 50 more years in it conservatively. The roof is due for replacement soon. We already replaced the furnace ourselves for under $1400. Normal upkeep for the most part…
20 year lifespan. Wow, what houses are you looking at? Never heard of someone demolishing a house at 20 years.
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Stupid american hobos!
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Well, living in your RV, van, car has become a thing.
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Down by the river or just in silicon valley?
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Love it
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I’m on a few Spinter FB groups because of buying one to work out of, and 90% of the folks in the groups live in them. Grant it, we’re talking $80k-$90k setups. The same van I bought for $7k, if outfitted for camping, would go for $35k used. Cracks me up when they talk about discreet camping in parking lots.
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I deal with a lot of limestone that is covered in mold. It is nothing like siding where you spray 1% on it, wait 10 minutes rinse and get your check.
I have a softwash system to be able to spray stronger strength solutions on the surface and then use medium pressure to rinse. Yes - I love the quiet, I love being able to better control my solution mixes, I love being able to better control the application (less over-spray) - What I don’t like is two hoses getting tangled if you are not careful.
This last year, it seems that I am becoming a go-to guy for limestone work as that is all I have been doing. What I would do just to have a vinyl sided house right now!! I have been experimenting with different solutions to figure out the best way to tackle what I call baked in mold on limestone. Even with high pressure, you won’t get it off - only make it gray. It is deep in the pores.
What is the point? We have members from all over the world. What works for Hillbilly Bob in Georgia may not work the same where you are (no offense hillbilly bob - we love ya). Learn what others are doing, learn what technology is out there, don’t be afraid to experiment (do so reasonably) and figure out what works best for the situations you deal with.
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Pretty much all over. Take a look on YouTube. Search for full time RVing, living in Van, rubber tramp rondevue, stealth camping, and boondocking.
Check YouTube for stealth camping. Especially in super expensive areas it’s a way to save lots of money.
@CFH thanks for the input 
I get this frequently too. On limestone retaining walls and mortar on brick homes.
There’s one specific job I have to pump spray, then go back one week later and repeat as it’s too deep for complete removal.
As it’s too soft to pressure clean, the first application soaks in, does its job and then the second application takes care of the rest.
Neither softwash rinsing or pressure work in this particular case.
I built one of those about 5 years ago
Mitsubishi Express Micro Camper Campervan Conversion - YouTube
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Oops - here’s the updated one…
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I wish we could use wood as a building product where I am but due to our huge termites it’s near impossible.
I use steel for pretty much everything.
Fibre cement sheeting holds up well too.
It’s a shame because I love the look of timber houses.
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I’ve done this with huge lichens on bricks. Time insuring but it works.
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We have termites here in the states as well. I buy termite insurance and pesticide prevention. My home is 90% brick with some vinyl but the frame is wood as are 99% of homes here. If you do not use the pesticide during swarming season you will be in trouble.
Are you saying the pesticides do not work on your termites?
