Every home has multiple layers of protection, starting with the outermost layer. For the walls of the house, the exterior layer is siding. As the first line of defense against weather elements, your siding has an important job. Regardless of what brand and quality siding you choose, aging and damage become a problem over time. So, how do you know when it’s time to replace your siding? This blog shares key signs to help you determine if it’s time to replace your siding. In this blog we share the top signs that you need your siding replaced.
Common Siding Problems
Siding’s main job is to protect your home from moisture infiltration. Siding keeps insulation and internal drywall dry. When the siding fails to work properly, your home suffers moisture damage. This damage could lead to plenty of unwanted issues. If moisture gets inside the house, you may have to replace the drywall. In addition to installing new drywall and insulation, repairs include repainting the walls and replacing any areas affected by the water. Damaged siding also affects the quality of insulation. Another expensive result of bad siding is high electric bills. Compromised siding allows hot or cold air to escape. This causes the home owner to spend more just to regulate internal temperatures.
Signs to Look for
Electric Bill- Well, we already mentioned one indicator of old siding: high electric bill. Compare your electric bills to those of homes around you that are a similar size. If you notice your bills are substantially higher, think about having your siding replaced.Warping and Rotting– This sign calls for immediate replacement. Warped siding curves inward or outward as opposed to lying flat like when it was installed. This sign lets you know water has infiltrated the siding. Rotting raises an even bigger red flag. Rotted siding starts to disintegrate. Also, look for discoloration. Rotting make the siding soft. Test the how solid your siding is by poking underneath.Cracking- Another visual indicator of damage is cracking. High winds and constant weather exposure cause materials to crack over time. You can replace isolated cracks by exchanging a few pieces here and there. However, if there are large sections with cracks, it’s probably time to replace all of your siding. Cracking creates space for water to infiltrate the barrier.Interior Wall Damage– In addition to exterior sign, there are interior problems linked to bad siding. Percolating water trapped under siding damages the interior walls. If your interior paint peels or your wallpaper becomes loose, consider replacing your siding.Mold and Mildew– We all know mold and mildew equal water damage. The growth of either of these culprits on your siding means water has gotten inside your walls. Not all mold and mildew growth means you need to replace your siding. Although, spotting it should cause alarm.Dry Rotting- Unlike all of the other signs on our list, dry rot is not caused by water damage. Dry rot often goes undetected because the problem begins below the surface. If the top layer of siding is intact, you may not notice any issues. Use a tool to tap areas of the surface you suspect are dry rotted. Check for hollow pieces needing replacement.Termites- This problem only occurs with wooden siding. If you notice deteriorating sections of wood, consider having an exterminator inspect the siding for termites. Although, one permanent way to prevent termite infestation is to replace our wooden siding for vinyl or HardiePlank.
Siding Tips
The most important thing to know is that siding requires regular inspection. Take some time every year to walk around your house and examine the siding. Try to identify weaknesses before they grow into bigger issues. Use these tips to figure out if you need your siding replaced.
