When it comes to your home’s maintenance, exterior siding repairs are probably not at the top of your to-do list. But when you think about all of the wear and tear it encounters on a daily basis and its key role in protecting your home, it might be time to reconsider the lack of maintenance. Your home’s exterior siding is meant to be a protective layer from weather effects, that is water resistant, and provides insulation, all while adding curb appeal. Here are five signs to look for when determining if your home’s exterior siding needs to be replaced.
Mold & Mildew
If you’re noticing mold, mildew, or fungus growing on the side of your home, don’t panic — take action. In some cases it is not a serious sign of siding replacement, rather siding maintenance. You can clean off the siding with a pressure washer to remove the mildew. You should take caution in knowing that if these factors are not taken care of in an early stage of development, they can lead to an expensive siding replacement down the road. Mold and mildew can form on your exterior siding or on the interior of your walls. This could be a sign that your siding is failing and is letting in moisture.
Interior Peeling Paint
Along with forming mold and mildew, moisture can also cause your paint and wallpaper to peel. If more noticeable peeling takes place around windows and door fixtures, there could be an issue with the caulking. Address this issue sooner rather than later, otherwise the wood under your siding could start to rot.
Damaged Seams
Caulking is not limited strictly to your windows. Caulk is also used to seal all vertical seams and joints of siding. The change of temperatures can cause siding to expand and contract, shifting your siding material and interfering with the caulk.
Rising Energy Costs
Exterior siding plays a key role in your home’s insulation and energy costs. If you’ve noticed your cooling and heating bills steadily rising, and are much higher compared to years prior, your siding could be to blame. Your roof or attic insulation could also be culprits to the high energy costs, so be sure to inspect both the attic and your exterior walls before replacing siding.
Bubbled Siding
If your siding is bubbling, it will most likely need to be replaced. Bubbled siding indicates that water has been trapped within the siding. Water buildup causes serious concern since repelling water is a key responsibility of siding. The buildup of water will cause more expensive issues in the future, including rotting wood, so it is important to take care of this issue immediately.
Rusted nails, insect damage, and faded paint are some other indicators of when you need to repair your exterior siding. Some of these issues are blatantly obvious, whereas others are hard to identify and can only be spotted by a professional. Each type of siding material will be more or less prone to these risks, but with continual exterior maintenance, you will save yourself additional work and money in the long-run.