Your home’s siding does a lot for the home. It can give your house a unique look, it can make sure that air conditioning is more efficient, and it can even be an extra layer of protection from the elements for the rest of your house.
However, as with everything, siding can wear out under the strenuous conditions that normal use subjects it to. If your home is having issues, and if your siding exhibits the following symptoms, it may be time for you to look into replacing your current siding.
1. Severe Fading
We all know that water wears down everything over time, but most people don’t realize that the sun damages materials too.
Your siding, of course, is not going to last forever. Depending on the make of your siding, you will probably get a couple of decades’ worth of use out of it. You can even get more, depending on where it is you live. But your siding will eventually need replacing, and many siding makers design the color of the siding to last about long as the siding remains useful.
All this being the case, if your siding is severely fading, or if it is severely fading in spots (if you have a lot of tree cover near your house, you may find that your siding will fade in the spots exposed to the sun most often. Not only does this make your house look like you don’t maintain it, it is also indicative of the need for replacement of your siding.
If your siding has lost its color, contact a local home improvement contractor and get an inspection of your siding. It will save you a lot of heartache in the long run.
2. Cracked Siding
After a serious storm rolls through, it is not uncommon to have a crack or two in your siding. Most of the time, you can replace that area without having to replace anything more.
On the other hand, if a lot of your siding is cracking or loose, that may be an indication that the siding has come to the end of its useful lifespan. Siding that has cracks in it can allow water to get behind it, and that can cause issues far more serious, like the growth of fungus or mold. If your vinyl siding shows widespread signs of damage, it is the time that you have a professional take a look at it.
3. Bubbles
Among the many things that your siding should do, forming bubbles just under the surface of the siding is not one of them.
If your vinyl siding begins to form bubbles, it usually means that water has gotten into the siding and is stuck near your wall. This is almost the exact opposite of what you want from siding, and it is usually a sign that you can expect mold or fungal growth soon. Replacing the siding immediately is very important, or you can end up spending much
4. Holes
Your siding actually helps to keep insects out of your home. It is hard to get through for an insect, much more difficult than drywall, and because of this, it helps to keep the more disgusting parts of nature outside of your home.
If there are small holes in your siding, that is a sign that you have a bug problem. Not only do these holes mean that insects are getting into your siding and that more can come in through them, but they also allow elements in, and that can mean you’re paying for much more expensive repairs down the road. If you’ve got small holes in your siding, act quickly and call a contractor who specializes in home improvement.
5. Signs of Damage In The Home
If your siding fails, you will eventually be able to tell by the fact that there is damage inside the home. This damage can take many forms, but generally, the cause is water getting into the outward-facing walls.
Thankfully, most of these indications of damage are obvious. Walls that are molding without any sign of water dripping from a ceiling or roof are a good indication, for example. Discoloration of the wall or wallpaper is another. In some cases, you will end up with signs that are almost impossible to ignore, like a chunk of your wall sloughing off.
Whatever the case, it is important that you repair the damage and replace your siding quickly. Mold in particular can spread quickly, and if the water is getting into the wall, it is going to be a problem if left alone.
If you’re having issues with your vinyl siding, or if you’re just not sure that your siding is still doing what siding is meant to do, call a home improvement contractor to inspect your siding. It is a much cheaper call to inspect your siding than it is to deal with mold or damage to your drywall.
