Not sure if your home’s siding just needs to be cleaned, or it needs to be entirely replaced? Well, this short post should help you get to the bottom of that.
If you notice any of these 7 signs, your best bet is to start looking for a siding company near your location.
1. There is visible damage
There’s not just one thing that causes damage to a home’s siding. Sunlight (or rather, the UV in sunlight) routine weathering caused by moisture intrusion, and the presence of pests, like squirrels and woodpeckers, can all cause material damage to a home’s siding.
This can manifest as noticeable holes, or as cracking, warping, splitting, separation, or entire panels or sections of siding pulling away from the house.
Regardless, where damage is present, there is an opportunity for the problem to balloon, as holes, cracks, and other damage will allow moisture and pests greater ingress to the space underneath the siding. This issue, where present, should be rectified immediately to prevent a much bigger issue down the road.
2. It’s severely faded
One of the main causes (but not the only cause) of faded siding is prolonged exposure to UV light. Some siding materials, such as wood and vinyl, are more susceptible to UV related damage than others. For instance, aluminum and concrete are pretty well positioned to resist UV damage.
All the same, severely faded siding is cause for concern as, one way or the other (and whether UV light caused the damage or something else did) it means that the siding has sustained damage and should be addressed.
If your siding looks dull, that won’t just impact its performance by the way. It will make your house look drab, which will drag down its value.
3. It’s bubbled or blistered
Bubbles and blistering are another form of damage often sustained by siding, and which are generally caused by moisture intrusion. When moisture gets under siding, or just under the surface of siding, it can cause bubbling, blistering, and other issues that will cost a lot more to remediate down the line.
Also, wherever siding allows moisture ingress, your home will be at a much higher risk of other water related damage like rot and mold growth, so as with the other issues encountered in this article, this concern should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent a much inflated expense down the line.
4. There’s peeling paint or wallpaper inside your home
This one is one that will require a little additional investigation, as many conditions can cause this phenomenon and many of them are not related to siding at all.
However, if your home’s siding is compromised and it causes an issue with the home’s insulation or allows moisture into the walls (or both) that may manifest inside your home as the wall shedding wallpaper or paint, or by causing separation.
While this can indicate that your home’s siding is damaged, it may be caused by something worse and merits an immediate investigation to get to the bottom of it one way or the other.
5. You know it’s at the end of its life
If you haven’t touched your home’s siding for decades, you can rest pretty easy in the assumption that it needs to be replaced sooner rather than later. Different siding materials have different lifespans, but one way or the other, after 20 or 30 years (except in certain niche cases) it’s a good bet that you should replace your siding in the near future.
6. Your energy bills have inexplicably increased
This condition, like peeling wallpaper or paint inside the home, can be (and often is) caused by many other issues that have nothing at all to do with your siding.
All the same, if your energy bills suddenly increase, or gradually increase over time, it can be an indicator that your home’s siding is no longer properly shielding and insulating your house the way it should be.
If you can rule out other causes (such as drafty windows or doors, or a furnace or air conditioner that’s on its last legs) and narrow down the focus to the siding, then you know what needs to be done.
7. It’s simply time for a refresh or upgrade
Lastly, if your home’s siding has been unchanged for 10 or even 20 years (even if it is still materially in good shape) but the rest of the homes in your neighborhood have undergone substantial upgrades or renovations, or if times and trends have simply shifted, that may also be a good reason to look into replacing or just upgrading your siding.
Remember, part of the value of the home’s siding is in resale, and if your home is lacking on curb appeal, that’s not just a cosmetic defect, it’s one that carries a real dollar value.
Why Routine Siding Maintenance Is So Important
Your home’s siding isn’t just about curb appeal (though it is about curb appeal). It protects your home against moisture intrusion, is one of your home’s first lines of defense against UV light, and maintains structural integrity. In addition, your home’s siding can even improve energy efficiency, helping to keep your HVAC bills under control.
And, of course, there is curb appeal, which is a material matter that influences your house’s value. So do overlook that!
As you can see, maintaining your home’s siding according to a routine schedule pays dividends. Here are some signs it’s time for repair or replacement, or even just power washing.
Start Your Search for Siding Companies Near You
Whether your siding is damaged, peeling, bubbled, faded, or simply way out of date with current trends, you should start looking for a siding company near you.
For customers in our market, we offer extensive siding repair and replacement services and would love to hear from you. Give us a call, let us know what you’re looking for (or just what’s wrong with your siding) and we will be happy to help.
