What is one of the first things people see when they look at your home? It’s your home’s siding. Although we tend to see the siding on our house almost daily, most of us tend to focus more on home interiors while undertaking home improvement projects, ignoring the faulty siding. The siding of your home not only enhances its curb appeal and value but is extremely crucial when it comes to the energy efficiency and integrity of your home.
A well-kept siding will protect your home from harsh elements like sun, cold, wind, rain, debris, and pests. In defending your home against these natural elements, it eventually falls victim to these threats. Over time when the siding starts to show its age, only repainting or repairing it will risk exposing your home to structural damage and major repairs. Thus, some critical warning signs are a clear indicator that it is time for a siding installation.
Signs That it’s Time to Install New Siding:
Mold, Fungus, and Termites
When you notice a weird green algae growth or water patches on the floor or walls, it could mean that water is penetrating through your siding, which is a clear indication for further investigation. When you notice mold on your home’s exterior, you might have to check the large joints between the individual panels for dampness. Additionally, mold or mildew can cause significant damage to your home and also cause serious health problems, making it essential to address the issue at the earliest.
All fungus may not be a cause of alarm, but termite damage is the worst as it could compromise the integrity of your siding. Addressing the problem sooner will ensure that the damage doesn’t penetrate further, ruining your home’s exterior and interior. Home repair services have the precise knowledge and expertise to find out the root cause of the problem and resolve the issue without giving you any extra headaches.
Holes
If heavy hail or sleet have damaged your siding, you can easily spot large holes and dents in it, which can result in the siding pulling away from your home entirely. If this is the case, then siding replacement is crucial.
Besides punctures from hard objects, some pests or insects can also cause holes in your siding. This is the time that you want to replace the siding on your home because these large holes may give rise to more serious issues such as bugs invading your home or even affecting your home’s insulation.
Fading or Excessive Peeling
When your siding begins to lose its color, or starts peeling excessively, you might be tempted to paint over it. Although it may be a good solution, the handyman service believes that there may be more serious underlying issues. It may be that the sidings weatherproofing is on its last leg. If that is the case, it’s a good time to consider upgrading your siding as it will be more likely to suffer storm damage. Don’t miss ignoring this sign to avoid more serious problems occurring in the future!
Frequent painting
On average a fresh coat of paint lasts approximately 8-10 years. If you notice any loose wallpaper or paint peeling in your home more frequently, then the problem may not be the paint, but the siding. According to remodeling services, paint problems could be a sign that moisture is getting through your siding and penetrating your walls. If you wish to prevent unwanted moisture from entering your home then, replacing your siding is the best solution.
Not only in this case but if you ever think of remodeling your home and doing it at an affordable cost, don’t forget to ping the handyman service.
Cracking, Sagging, Warping, and Blistering
If you notice that your siding has cracked, is broken, or has loose pieces, make sure you upgrade soon, as it may be the most obvious sign that your siding is damaged beyond repair. These signs indicate that water can seep behind the siding panels, and can get into your roof frame and even your home.
With age, wear and tear, your siding may develop warps or blisters. Not only do they become an eyesore, but can be a red flag, signaling serious structural problems. When the sunlight falls on the surface of the wood, it causes it to expand and contract. This can make the wooden surface uneven, developing warps between the boards.
Further expansion of warped siding can lead to problems with the trim around the door and window. These cracks can eventually become the entry point for moisture and pests into your home. However, if you spot large gaps or numerous cracks in your siding, it might be time to replace the entire siding. Similarly, if you spot a blister or bubble beneath the siding surface, then a larger problem is around the horizon as it means that water is trapped within the siding. Since your siding is supposed to prevent moisture from entering your home, this means that the siding has now become redundant and needs to be replaced.
Sky-Rocketing Energy Bills
Many factors can be at play if you’re noticing higher than normal energy bills. If you’ve ruled out attic leaks, roof insulation, and drafty windows, then the spike in your energy costs could be due to your old, worn-out siding. Bad siding often beats the main purpose it is intended for; it is unable to insulate your home from heat, cold and other elements year-round. Thus, your very own siding becomes the culprit for escalating your energy bill. To keep your home better insulated and lower your utility bill, the home repair service recommends upgrading your siding.
Dry Rot
If you notice black or brown patches on the surface of the wood, it could be due to wood rot and decay. Rot is a significantly harmful fungus as it eats away at the underlayer of your siding or anything that it grows on. To detect rot, with the help of a screwdriver, you can poke around or tap a portion of your siding to detect weak spots. Call professional handyman services to thoroughly examine if there is more rot beneath the cracked or warped portion of your siding. If the damage is deep, then it is time to replace your siding.
Conclusion
If you’re noticing any of these signs listed above, then it’s time to install new siding on your home. Repairing the siding might save on cost, but you could end up spending much more down the line and it may compromise the structural integrity of your home.
Contact Flip Flop Handyman not only for siding installation but for any other task that you wish to undertake in your new home. We will not only save you precious time and money, but you will benefit greatly from our experience and expertise.
