We just bought an older home out here and we want to maintain the wood siding. It's in serious need of a coat - it's clearly been a very long time.
Anyone have product recommendations? We are also wanting to hire someone to do it. It's a small place and a straight forward job. Recommendations on that also welcome!

We've got to fix some leaks and have had Shark Bite fixtures recommended to us. Anyone with experience?
With the level of work we need we are wanting to hire for a plumber - recommendations?

Finally.... and thank you for making it this far in this needy post (I swear I did a search) - The past tenant was a raccoon. He is also the current tenant. There's a lot of poop too. We're not totally sure how to go about eviction and cleaning up. Thoughts welcome!

Behr transparent stain
Transparent because Semi etc has more actual paint and will chip. Transparent shows the wood grain and only wears away, no sanding- just put on again.
Delta fixtures because easy replacement of parts.
I heard Blue Sky Plumbers recommended but don't know first hand.
Live trap for raccoon? Division of Wildlife might be able to help? Be cautious calling exterminator. Some charge a great deal to come out and they come out two times or more. My bill went fron $300 agreed upon to almost $600 for trips I did not plan on.
Rats returned to attic a month later and he never caught gophers burrowing under driveway. Only use someone recommended. I called someone in phone book. Hope you get house all fixed up and pretty again.

try...http://www.boardwalkwood.com/

I'm happy to hear you're planning on improving your new home. Here's a business I found in a post. I've never used them but if you search for their name you can look at their posts.

Urban Wildlife Services
Nuisance Wildlife Removal and Relocation
303 588-1869

The original part of my 80 year old house is wood clapboard. My suggestion would be that if you have to sand down to raw wood at all, be sure to use a primer paint coat, otherwise the paint will just peel. Good luck with all your projects!

yes, call Dean (Urban Wildlife) ! he is local favorite.

Try to find out if your siding was last sealed with an oil based or a water based stain
If it has a water based stain (Latex) coating, then you are stuck with using it again
and cannot put an oil based product on top of the old water based product
( without completely removing it somehow)

If you have siding that was previously sealed with an oil based stain,
then most professionals will recommend you continue to use an oil product

You can always later put a latex (water) based sealer over an oil base stain,
but you can't go the other way

Be aware that no matter what the manufacturer says, even the most expensive
water based (Latex) stain is a modified paint, and even though it may be called
"penetrating stain" it is basically, a coating and does not penetrate at all like even
the least expensive oils do

As for Shark Bite connections, Google Shark Bite and find out the pros and cons
They are generally much more expensive, but they also quite good!

These replies are all really helpful! Thank you!!!

Shark bites and pex have changed plumbing forever - simple to use. Connections cost more but pipe length is way less expensive vs copper and you don't need to sweat / solder copper pipe. HD & lowes, amazon carry them
Whoever you hire to stain be sure to have them powerwash first(I recommend oil based since you never have to scrape when restaining -it just fades)
Welcome to life in the mtns