How to Tell if Your Home has Siding Damage
The Importance of Damage-Free Siding
The main purpose of home siding is to protect the exterior walls. The siding is the first line of defense between the interior of your home and all the outside elements. Siding also works to help your home look its best, while maintaining its insulating properties. If your siding is damaged or old, it may not properly protect your home. Deterioration can lead to moisture infiltrating the walls, which leads to the growth of hazardous mold, structural damage and rot.
Signs of Siding Damage
If your home has traditional wood siding, the most common signs of damage include splits, dents or cracking in the boards, or pieces that are broken or completely missing. You may also notice some areas feel soft when touched, similar to bruised fruit. This typically indicates rot. While the surface of the siding may seem structurally intact, if you put pressure on it, it may crumble, showing rot below the surface or even termite infestation. If you have vinyl siding, you should check for signs of discoloration, warping, cracking, bubbling and peeling.
UV damage can also increase the effects of aging, which can weaken the structure of the siding, reducing the attractiveness of the home. If you have wood siding installed, you may not even be able to see the worst part of the damage. In fact, UV degradation can increase the effect of contracting and expanding wood siding, shutters and window frames, which causes deterioration from the inside out.
While steel siding is not as susceptible to damage, issues can still arise. For example, in many cases, adverse weather can cause dents and dings in this siding. However, the good news is, it is virtually immune to issues such as bug infestations and rot. As a result, these are issues you don’t have to worry about.
Handling Damaged or Old Siding
If you have noticed that the siding on your home has seen better days, the best course of action is to just replace it. After all, as time passes the issues that are present are only going to get worse. Keeping this information in mind will help you know what to do when siding damage occurs.
The fact is, regardless of the type of siding you choose to install, issues can arise. Being aware of these issues and knowing what to do can help minimize the damage and the cost to fix the problem. Contact Kent Mohler Exteriors today to discuss your home siding needs.
