No matter what type of siding protects your home, now and then, it needs maintenance and eventually has to be replaced. A house's siding is prone to various incidents, so it may break, crack, warp or buckle over time.
And you'll want to get it fixed before its pieces spread all over your house or cause any trouble
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Sometimes we ignore the house's siding for a long time and suddenly realize the time for repair may have already passed. Even if possible, fixing some sidings is a much more costly replacement.
When your siding is no longer functional and doesn't protect your home, there can be significant rotting damage to the structure of your house, causing even more trouble.
So, you must replace the damaged exterior before it becomes an expensive structural issue. As a trusted siding and window contractor, we always suggest that folks consider a thorough evaluation of their home's exterior to determine the problem's seriousness.
Here are six signs that you should get new siding on your house.
Warped, Cracked, Or Rotting Siding
You can't go wrong with this one. If you notice any warped, cracked, or missing pieces of siding, the time has come for a replacement.
If you have wood siding, look for warped or about-to-crumble panels as well as any dark spots. Moisture is wood's worst enemy. It penetrates the wood fibers and prevents the laminate around the wood siding from doing its job.
As it often happens, the rot will continue to worsen if it is ignored, and eventually, the wood's properties will fade away. If your vinyl siding has cracks or warped, it might have rotted beneath the surface.
Cracked or warped siding parts allow water to infiltrate behind the siding, leading to moisture build-up and weakening the overall home structure.
Once you spot a rotten part, you can be sure it has spread into other parts, or soon enough, it will. Your best bet, therefore, is to hire a siding contractor to replace your siding immediately, as well as any rotted wood to eliminate any further damage.
If you're unsure how severe the damage is, you can test your wooden siding for dry rot by tapping on the outside with a screwdriver handle. Crumbling, splitting, or hollow sounds indicate extreme corrosion.
Remember that you cannot usually see dry rot with your eyes because it grows beneath the surface, leaving only the top layer intact. To evaluate the damage, remove any pieces that seem loose or not in place. If you could easily move or remove them, this is a sign that the siding's structure has deteriorated.
Fungus, Mold, Or Mildew on Your Siding
It's common for houses to get moldy on their siding; at first, they are easy to miss. Some causes of mold and mildew growth on siding include wet surfaces, accumulated dirt, tree sap, moisture beneath the house's surface, and lack of sunlight.
Check the siding, particularly near the seams, for any sign of fungus, mold, or mildew growth. These kinds of substances grow wherever moisture is available, meaning that somehow water is penetrating your siding.
The fungus problem may not be so serious, but it is certainly worth further investigation and regular cleaning.
Blisters or Bubbles
Bubbling or blistering occurs when the paint starts to separate from the wood siding. Bubbling has two primary causes. Often, blisters and bubbles indicate water has become trapped within the siding. Other times it may be sunlight causing bubbles and blisters.
There is no way to repair siding that has already blistered or bulged. You can repaint the surface, but it will reappear shortly. The best way to fix blisters and bubbles is to replace the siding altogether.
Frequent Painting
The average home needs to be repainted roughly every decade. After a while, the paint on your siding may get peeled or chipped, and you may want to consider an enduring material with minimal maintenance.
When siding loses its color and becomes faded, this is a sure sign that its weatherproofing is on its last leg. This may have resulted from excessive heat being trapped behind your siding or extreme sunlight exposure for an extended period.
Either way, it's an excellent time to consider replacing your siding before more severe problems occur.
Higher energy bills
Many factors can be to blame when your energy bills rise beyond the norm. If you've ruled out leaks in your attic, drafty windows, and dysfunctional insulation system, you should already be thinking about whether bad siding could be the culprit.
One of the primary purposes of installing siding is to help your home retain heat and cold, insulating it from temperature fluctuations year-round. Old or damaged siding doesn't insulate sufficiently, which can very well explain your energy bill.
Paint peeling inside your home
Have you noticed any loose wallpaper or paint peeling in your home, but you couldn't find out what has caused it?
Sometimes siding problems outside your home can manifest themselves inside the house. It may seem surprising since there are many layers between your siding and your external walls.
But over time, water and heat from outside can permeate through your wall and insulation, reaching the inside of your home. So, there is a good chance that moisture is getting through your siding and into your walls, causing significant damage to the interior of your house and creating an unappealing view.
Bottom Line
The siding protects the structure of your house. But as with any material, they have a lifespan. Regardless of how carefully you protect your property, eventually, you need new siding to improve your curb appeal, increase the value of your home and protect its interior.
Undoubtedly, replacing the siding can be a big project, but it doesn't have to be daunting. Karga Construction is ready to provide you with a siding inspection and a free estimate. Our company works efficiently to finish the project on schedule and within budget.
With over 50 years of experience with out-pf-number clients, you can be assured that we bring meticulous attention to detail to each job and maintain open communication with the homeowner.
When it comes to real estate, you only get one chance to make an excellent first impression. That's why the exterior of a property, especially the siding is the most critical part of the property, as it gives potential tenants, buyers, and families a real sense of what the property is like.
So, if you need new siding, do yourself and your home a favor, and contact us immediately. We'll be happy to help you get started on the path to a beautiful new home exterior.