7 Signs Your Home Needs New Siding Before Damage Gets Worse
Your siding is about a lot more than curb appeal. It also plays a significant role in terms of your home’s protection from the elements, as well as its energy efficiency—a significant key for residents of the northeast. So, because of how important your siding is to your home, it’s important to understand that it will naturally begin to wear down over time. Constant exposure to the climate and the general wear and tear that it goes through will eventually put you in a position where you have to decide between repairs or a siding replacement. While you can sometimes get away with repairs for minor damage, widespread deterioration might be an indicator that you need a full replacement.
So, what are the signs that your home needs new siding before damage gets worse? Let Scott’s Siding & Remodeling break down seven of the most common indicators:
Cracks, Holes, or Warped Panels
When you’re dealing with visible cracks, holes, or warped siding panels, it’s clear that you’re no longer getting the protection you need from your siding. These issues can arise as a result of severe weather, impact damage, age, or prolonged exposure to sunlight, and even the smallest of openings created by these cracks or holes can allow moisture and insects to seep behind your siding and cause damage. Not to mention, the outside air entering through these openings also compromises your home’s energy efficiency.
Rotting or Softened Areas
Rot can be a serious concern, especially when it comes to wood siding and even when it comes to the materials beneath other types of siding. Because when moisture is trapped for an extended period of time, it can cause significant damage to your home’s structure. One of the easiest ways to tell if this has become a problem at your home is to check any areas of your siding that look discolored or swollen. If the siding feels soft, is showing signs of decay, or begins to crumble, that can be a clear sign that there’s an underlying moisture problem that has led to rot.
Needing Frequent Painting or Dealing With Noticeable Color Fading
The best siding keeps its appearance for a long time with minimal maintenance requirements. So, if you find that you’re constantly needing to repaint your home or you’ve noticed fading, peeling, or chipping paint, your siding may be near the end of its lifespan. And as much as fading paint can be a cosmetic issue, it can also mean your siding material’s weather-resistant surface has broken down as well, leaving your home vulnerable.
Mold, Mildew, or Water Stains
Like we’ve explained, trapped moisture is a problem for a variety of reasons. It not only compromises the structural integrity of your home, but it can create the right environment for mold and mildew to grow. Both can cause further damage to your home, plus they can pose health risks to you and anyone else within your home. Seeing water stains on your walls is typically a telltale sign that you’ve run into a moisture problem, and it should tell you to spring into action and plan a siding replacement before any mold or mildew can start to take hold of your home.
Rising Energy Bills
By now, you understand the role your siding plays in your home’s energy efficiency. So, it stands to reason that another sign that you need new siding is an otherwise-inexplicable rise in your energy bills. As your HVAC system has to begin working harder to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature as a result of cracks, holes, or related issues within your siding, it can mean an increase in your heating and cooling costs. If there’s no other explanation for the increase, it’s likely your siding that’s at fault.
Loose, Missing, or Buckling Siding
Your siding should fit securely against your home’s exterior so that there’s no room for moisture, insects, or outdoor air to enter your home. If you’re seeing loose or buckling panels—and especially if you’re completely missing panels—it can quickly become a major problem for your home. That’s when a siding replacement becomes a necessity—and it should be done in short order.
Interior Moisture Problems Near Exterior Walls
Warning signs can manifest inside your home rather than on the outside. You may see bubbling paint on your walls, peeling wallpaper, damp drywall, or unexpected water stains. You might even smell musty odors. In any of those cases, it could indicate that there’s moisture affecting your home’s walls. When that happens, you’ll need to address your siding needs before the damage spreads and creates the need for even more costly repairs.
Start Planning Your Siding Replacement Today
If you’re noticing any of these signs at your home in Central Massachusetts, it’s time to turn to the professionals at Scott’s Siding & Remodeling for an expert siding replacement. Contact us today to get started with a quote.
