Your siding is an essential part of the layers of cladding on your house. It protects your interior walls from moisture, which can destroy your walls, and drafts, which can wreak havoc on your energy bills.
Updating your home’s siding is an important aspect of maintenance. As a bonus, it can significantly enhance your home’s curb appeal. Here are some signs that indicate your home may need new siding:
Sign 1 – Visible Damage To Your Siding
Cracks and holes in your siding allow moisture and pests to enter, leading to further damage. Both wood and vinyl siding are prone to cracking, so it’s important to regularly inspect these types of siding for cracks or crevices.
Warped or Buckled panels are a sign that something is wrong underneath your siding. It could be a water drainage problem, or it could be a problem with the installation of the siding.
Sign 2 – Peeling Paint or Wallpaper
Peeling paint or wallpaper can be signs of several different problems within your home, but one of them is a problem inside your siding. Water could be getting through the moisture barrier and into your interior walls. If you notice peeling paint or wallpaper inside your home, be sure to do a thorough inspection to diagnose the issue before it ruins your walls.
Sign 3 – Fading Color
Over time, exposure to the elements causes siding to fade. This is most noticeable with older vinyl and metal siding, which don’t require regular maintenance to the color. However, if you aren’t regularly painting your wood siding, it’s color can fade in the sun as well. Discolored siding can make your home rundown and less appealing.
Sign 4 – Increased Energy Bills
Much like peeling paint, increased energy bills are caused by several factors. However, a large one is uninsulated or damaged siding. If you notice a sudden increase in your energy bills, examine your siding for signs of bulging, rotting, or warping.
Sign 5 – Mold or Mildew Growth
Is your siding starting to look like a science experiment? If you see signs of mold or mildew growing on your siding, there’s a good chance that you have a moisture problem. If so, it’s time to consider having your siding replaced.
Sign 6 – Rot or Soft Spots
Press on various areas of your siding. If you have soft spots or rot, these indicate water damage and compromised structural integrity.
Sign 7 – High Maintenance Requirements
New vinyl, composite, and fiber cement siding only require hosing down. If you’re bogged down with regular painting, repairing, or just tired of cleaning the streaks off your siding, you might want to invest in newer, low-maintenance siding.
Sign 8 – Pest Infestations
Insects, such as termites or carpenter ants, are attracted to moisture-damaged wood, while larger cracks in vinyl siding can make a good hiding place for vermin. If you notice an increase in pests around your home, it could be linked to damaged siding.
Sign 9 – Insurance or Home Inspection Recommendations
Some homeowner’s insurance companies will do inspections on your home and may recommend or insist that you replace your siding to continue coverage. You may also have a home inspector suggest that your siding is in bad shape. Either way, it’s a strong indication that your siding is not in good condition and must be replaced.
Replacing Your Siding
When you replace your siding, consider using a professional. Siding replacement may look simple, but it’s more complicated than you might expect. Siding panels can be heavy and aren’t forgiving of mistakes. If you’re replacing siding that has water problems, you’ll want a professional to repair the moisture issue before you have the siding replaced.
Consider Volpe Enterprises For Siding Replacement
With 50-plus years of experience in exterior home renovations, Volpe Enterprises is uniquely qualified to help you with all of your siding needs. From traditional cedar siding and vinyl siding to the latest composite and James Hardie fiber cement siding, we have a wide range of colors and style to match your home. Contact us today for a quote.
