Sometimes it’s obvious that you need to replace the siding on your home. For example, if your house emerges from a hailstorm looking like it was attacked by an army of woodpeckers, there’s a good chance you’ll need a siding replacement, not a repair.
Other signs of weakened siding may not be as noticeable. Yet, because your siding is your home’s coat of armor, it’s important to replace your siding when it’s no longer able to do its job. Here are some common signs that it’s time replace your siding:
1. Bulging or Warped Siding
If your home has vinyl siding, this type of damage can result from improper installation, exposure to intense heat, or simply many years of contracting and expanding with the seasonal changes in temperature. Unfortunately, warped siding can allow moisture to infiltrate and accumulate behind the siding, which can lead to hidden damage and eventually the need for costly repairs.
2. Rotting or Cracked Wood Siding
Wood siding requires frequent maintenance to protect it from Mother Nature. Even if a homeowner invests in a paint job, if the paint is not properly applied, it may promote premature siding breakdown. It’s important to replace cracked and rotting wood siding because of the threats posed by termites and water infiltration, including the potential for mold growth inside your home.
3. Drafts of Air Through the Walls
If you stand by a wall or light switch inside your home and winter’s chill seems to be reaching you from the outside, that’s a sign that your exterior house siding isn’t doing its job. In the Kansas City metro area, where winters are typically quite cold and summer temperatures reach into the 90s, replacing your underperforming cladding with energy-efficient siding can potentially help lower your heating and cooling costs.
4. Mold or Mildew Growth at the Seams
House siding typically requires a power washing now and then to remove mildew. However, if you notice mold or mildew collecting around the seams, that could be an indication that water is pushing past your siding and settling inside your walls. Lingering moisture could promote mold growth, creating health concerns as well as the potential for hidden wood rot.
5. Severe Fading
The siding on your home must endure sun exposure day in and day out, and all that sunlight can wash out its color after a few years. How quickly this happens will depend on factors such as:
- The quality of your siding and its protective finish
- The intensity and duration of the sun’s rays in the region where you live
- The direction your exterior walls face—for example, in the United States, a south-facing wall typically receives the most sunlight and thus the siding there may fade more quickly
6. Interior Wall Damage
If the paint or wallpaper inside your home is prematurely peeling, that could be a sign that your exterior siding is failing to protect your home from moisture intrusion. When rainwater or condensation seeps in behind your house siding, it can saturate your interior wallboard and undermine the adhesion of your wall covering.
Allowing your home to sport unsightly siding is not only likely to make your neighbors cringe, but it can also lead to structural damage that’s invisible until your siding is removed. At that point, a delayed siding replacement may end up costing significantly more money because of the need for repairs. Therefore, it’s a good idea to inspect your siding regularly and invest in a siding replacement before the damage goes too far.
Of course, there are many other reasons why you might be ready to replace your house siding, including a desire to boost your home’s curb appeal. If you live in the Kansas City metro area, the experts at Johnson County Siding & Window Co. stand ready to help. We offer expert installation of long-lasting fiber cement siding and vinyl siding from leading manufacturers, as well as beautiful stone veneer and distinctive stucco coatings. Contact us today to learn more.
