Nothing lasts forever. That includes the siding on your home. The weather plays a major role in why the siding will eventually start to deteriorate and need to get replaced. Start watching for the signs your siding needs replacing so you can handle the situation before it becomes troublesome for you and your home’s value.
Siding Warning Signs Homeowners Should Know (The TL;DR)
Before damage gets worse, here are clear signals it’s time to replace your siding:
- Peeling paint that quickly returns after repainting can point to siding that needs full replacement, not just another coat of paint.
- You can replace loose or broken siding pieces after storms one at a time. But if multiple sections are damaged, you should update the whole siding.
- If wood boards are rotting, crumbling, or sound hollow, they likely have dry rot. Replace them to stop further damage.
- If mold, algae, or fungus keeps returning after cleaning, it means moisture is trapped. You should replace those areas of siding.
- Peeling paint or loose wallpaper inside your home may mean the siding is letting moisture in. This indicates it isn’t protecting your interior anymore.
- High heating bills can mean siding issues. Damaged boards let cold air and wind enter your home.
This guide shows how finding these signs early helps you fix issues and keep your home’s value and curb appeal before problems get worse.
Peeling Paint
The paint on your siding may start to peel over time. Peeling paint isn’t always a major problem since you can just paint over what was there before. However, if the paint continues to peel off frequently then you should consider replacing your siding with something more suitable. A vinyl siding that offers resistance to the sun may be your best bet if your home sits where the sun hits it head on and has little shade.
Loose Pieces
High winds and storm damage can cause the siding to come loose. Loose pieces may be able to be put back in place. If they get damaged in the process, though, then you’ll need to look at replacement options. You can replace individual boards if only a few have been broken but should look at full siding replacement if several have been compromised.
Rotting Boards
Wood siding can become rotted. Look for signs of rotting and replace these boards immediately so the damage does not spread. Sections that have become soft need to be replaced. If boards easily crumble or split when you tap them then this can be a sign of rot. You may even hear a hollow sound when tapping that indicates dry rot.
Mold Growth
Moisture may get trapped inside your siding. You might start to notice mold growth or things like algae and fungus developing. Use a mold and mildew cleaner to remove any visible growth spots. If it still continues to grow rapidly then these pieces will need replacing.
Peeling Paint and Paper Inside
Your signs of siding replacement aren’t always going to be outside the home. You may notice a few problems inside the house instead. If the paint on your walls is peeling or the wallpaper is loose then you should look at your siding.
High Heating Bills
Homeowners who have lived in the same place for several years are often aware of what their average heating bills look like. When you start noticing higher heating bills than usual it could be an indication that your siding needs replacing. Your siding helps to keep the cold air and wind from seeping into your home. All boards should be kept up if you hope for them to work as intended. This is especially important if there are any holes or damaged sections.
Look out for the signs that your siding needs replacing and you’ll be able to tell sooner that this home improvement project should get started. Letting your siding get peeled, cracked, damaged, and defective and never replacing it can decrease your home’s value and quickly cause it to lose its curb appeal. Keep your siding looking good and replace it as necessary for a better quality home.
More Tips from Your South Texas Roofing Company
Siding isn’t the only part of a home that needs regular inspection and maintenance to stay in good shape. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can maintain your home and prevent costly repairs down the road, browse our full list of articles for more tips put together by our roofing contractors in Victoria TX.