Whether you’re building a new home from the ground up or your current dwelling is simply in need of a few simple home upgrades, it’s important to avoid some of the more common pitfalls. This is especially true for siding installation, which if not done properly can have a lot of adverse effects on your house.

From material selection to the installation process itself, there are some common mistakes that people tend to make over and over again. To help you avoid making some of them, here’s a short list that you should be aware of.

Skimping on Materials
If you’re not willing to pay a little bit extra for high-quality materials, you’re not going to have a very good siding installation experience. This is definitely an instance of “you get what you pay for.” And when it comes to home improvement, siding is definitely something that you should be willing to shell out a little bit more for.

Not Checking Seams
The seams, which are places in which tow pieces of siding come together, should never be ignored. Inexperienced contractors who are unfamiliar with different types of siding may leave gaps between panels, which can end up causing big issues for your home in the future.

Deciding to DIY Your Siding
The first rule of a DIY siding project is to not do one in the first place. Unless you’re an experienced contractor who works with different types of siding and other home improvement measures often, you absolutely shouldn’t be attempting to replace your old siding alone. You could not only damage your home, you could also be putting yourself at risk of serious injury.

Using a Power Washer on the New Siding
Most vinyl siding is rated for winds of up to 110 MPH, but pressure washers and high-speed winds are two different things. Using a pressure washer should be fine once your siding has been installed and passes inspection, but hold off until that point. You could be getting water up and behind your vinyl siding panels, which would absolutely not be a good thing.

So whether you’re a new home owner or a veteran in home repairs, make sure you’re avoiding these siding installation mistakes.