Waterford MI Siding Remodel: Day 1 Tear-Off and Waterproofing

We are back at a familiar home in Waterford, Michigan.

Last week, the Level Up Improvement crew completed a new roof on this house. Now we’re starting the siding portion of what will become a complete exterior remodel.

The homeowners selected Montana Suede siding, but we’re not quite ready to show that off yet.

Day one was all about what needs to happen before the new siding goes up. Our crew focused on tearing off the existing siding, inspecting what was underneath, and starting the waterproofing and preparation work.

It may not be as flashy as the finished transformation, but this is some of the most important work on the entire project.

Day 1 of Our Waterford MI Siding Remodel

A good siding installation starts long before the first piece of new siding goes on the house.

Our first day in Waterford was mostly dedicated to tear-off.

Removing the old siding gives us access to the exterior underneath. It also gives our crew a chance to see what we’re actually working with.

That’s important because you can’t always tell what is happening behind old siding from the ground.

Once the old material comes off, we can inspect the exterior and start preparing the home for the new siding system.

The photos from this first day give a good look at that process.

Back at the Same Waterford Home After the Roof

This isn’t our first week working at this house.

We completed the roof just last week as the first stage of the exterior remodel. You can see that portion of the project in our Waterford MI roofing project.

With the roof finished, we’ve now moved down to the rest of the exterior.

Eventually, the combination of the new roof and Montana Suede siding will completely change the appearance of this house.

For now, though, we’re focused on getting everything underneath the siding right.

Tear-Off Comes First

One of the biggest parts of the first day of a siding replacement is simply removing what’s already there.

Our crew worked around the home taking off the existing siding and exposing the surface underneath.

Tear-off can be messy, but it’s an important part of the process.

It allows us to see areas that have been covered for years. It also helps us identify anything that needs attention before we move forward.

This is why we like taking progress photos during our projects.

A finished siding photo looks great, but it doesn’t show all the work that went into getting there.

If you’re considering replacing your own siding, our frequently asked questions about siding replacement cover more of what homeowners can expect during the process.

Waterproofing the Home Before New Siding

Once sections of the old siding came off, our crew could begin preparing and waterproofing the exterior.

This stage matters.

Siding is the part of the exterior everyone sees, but it isn’t the home’s only line of defense against water.

The materials and details behind the siding help manage moisture and protect the structure underneath.

That’s why we don’t want to rush through this part just to start installing the new siding.

Day one gave our crew time to work through those areas and get the exterior ready for the next stages of installation.

The Work You Won’t See When We’re Finished

Once the Montana Suede siding goes up, most of the work in these photos will disappear.

That’s exactly why we wanted to document it.

Homeowners usually see the before and after photos of an exterior remodel. What they don’t always see is everything that happens between those two pictures.

There is tear-off.

There is inspection.

There is waterproofing.

There is preparation around windows, doors, corners, and other areas of the exterior.

Then the new siding can start going up.

Our siding installation services page has more information about the siding products and options we install throughout Southeast Michigan.

Getting Ready for Montana Suede Siding

The finished exterior will feature Montana Suede siding.

We aren’t at that stage yet, but we’re excited to see how the color works with the home’s new roof.

Montana Suede has a warm, neutral appearance that can give a home a completely different look without being too bold.

Color becomes even more important when homeowners replace both their roofing and siding. The two make up such a large portion of the exterior that they need to work well together.

Homeowners comparing options can check out our guide to siding colors for Metro Detroit homes.

We’ll talk a lot more about the Montana Suede siding once it starts going up.

A Complete Exterior Remodel in Waterford

This is what makes this Waterford project especially fun for us.

We’re not replacing one isolated part of the exterior.

The roof was completed last week. Now we’re working our way through the siding. By the time we’re done, the house will have gone through a major exterior transformation.

We’ve completed other projects that combine roofing and siding, including this roofing and siding transformation in Saline.

Projects like these are a great reminder of how much a home’s exterior can change when the major elements are updated together.

Day 1 Is in the Books

There isn’t a dramatic Montana Suede reveal just yet.

Day one was about doing the work that needs to happen first.

Our crew made progress on the tear-off, exposed the exterior underneath, and worked through the waterproofing and preparation needed before the new siding installation.

Over the next several days, the house will start looking very different.

We’ll continue documenting the project as the Montana Suede siding goes up. Then we’ll share the complete before-and-after transformation once everything is finished.

Looking for a Siding Contractor in Waterford MI?

Level Up Improvement provides siding installation throughout Waterford, Oakland County, and Southeast Michigan.

You can learn more about our siding services in Waterford or see our other exterior remodeling services.

Whether you’re replacing siding by itself or planning a complete exterior remodel, the work behind the finished product matters.

We’ll have a lot more to show from this Waterford project soon.

If you’re considering new siding for your home, contact Level Up Improvement for a free estimate.

Level Up Improvement
4425 Fernlee Ave.
Royal Oak, MI 48073
313-287-9525