Whether you had a recent siding installation or had it installed years ago, it should be properly cleaned and maintained to ensure its effectiveness in protecting your home against natural elements. Doing this will keep your siding intact and in its best condition throughout its life expectancy. You’ll also usually notice it once your siding is past its prime, which means it’s time for a replacement.
But if you’re planning to sell your home, it’s sometimes necessary to fully replace its siding to raise the property value. Newly installed siding tends to attract more potential buyers and you’re still able to earn back more than half of what you spent once it gets sold. And if you bought an old home, a full siding replacement may even be needed depending on how many years it has left in its life expectancy.
But even if you think that the current siding you have looks fine, that doesn’t always mean it doesn’t need to be repaired or replaced. Certain types of siding damage aren’t easily seen, and if they’re left unaddressed by a professional, the damage can spread to other parts of your home and you’ll end up with costly repairs. To help you out, our James Hardie® siding installation team at Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. shares some of the common signs you can check:
Faded Exterior Colors
This type of problem might not be something to worry about at first, but if your home already has a faded exterior, then you should consider a full replacement. The colors in a siding material usually last as long as its intended lifespan, so having faded colors only means it’s already time for a full replacement. Keeping them intact won’t keep your home protected fully, which means you’re more exposed to the natural elements. Your siding’s waterproofing and insulating capabilities have become ineffective, and the next storm or extreme weather event may cause severe damage to your home’s overall structure.
Mold, Mildew and Rot
Mold and mildew can sometimes be found near the seams of your siding. You may also find dry rot that compromises your siding’s effectiveness against the weather elements if left unaddressed. When this happens, your home is left more exposed to the elements, which accelerates its wear and tear over time.
If you’re already having this type of problem, make sure to have it replaced immediately. This is because, at this point, you can expect the water to already seep into the inner walls of your home. The moisture can also become problematic as it can lead to more mold and mildew that can affect the health of you and your family indoors. So, if you want to avoid further damage to your home, immediate replacement of your damaged siding is crucial.
Hailstorm Damage
Sometimes, you may be forced to repair or replace your siding if parts of it sustained severe damage during extreme weather. Even if you think that your siding is mostly intact, there may be hidden damage that won’t be easily seen unless it’s checked by a trusted contractor. Whether it’s visible or not easily seen, any type of damage to your siding should be taken care of by a trusted contractor to ensure your home stays intact and free of damage.
If your area was recently hit by a hailstorm, you can expect your siding installation to sustain a certain amount of damage. Make sure to call in a professional contractor to inspect your home’s exterior for any sign of cracking, denting, and chipping. The parts affected by the hailstorm should be replaced to prevent more damage. You might also consider a full replacement depending on how much damage your siding has sustained since it’s more cost-effective.
Blistered Siding
If your siding is exposed to high heat temperatures all the time, it can start to blister or bubble. This can also be caused by faulty siding material, but to know for sure, have it checked by a trusted contractor and replace the damaged parts as soon as possible. It may also be better to get a full replacement if the damage is found in most areas of your exterior. Knowing the true cause behind your blistered or bubbling siding can help you understand how you can prevent it from happening again.
Loose Wallpaper or Peeling Paint
Peeling paint or wallpaper inside your home is often caused by moisture getting through your siding and seeping into the wallboard. That can be a sign that your siding may be damaged or compromised. If this problem isn’t fixed immediately, it can gradually cause more damage to your home’s interiors, which means you’ll have to pay for costly repairs. If you want to avoid this, make sure to get your siding checked by a trusted professional as soon as you notice this type of damage in your home.
High Energy Consumption
Even if you don’t see any visible damage to your siding, there’s still a chance that it can be compromised. You won’t probably notice this until you get an unusual increase in your monthly energy bills. The causes behind this can vary, but once you rule out any other problems with them and you still see that your energy bills have gone higher, then there’s a big chance that your siding and its insulation may be the problem.
Air leaks and drafts are one of the biggest causes behind high energy consumption, and this is commonly found in old or neglected exteriors. The small gaps near walls, windows, electrical outlets, and switches make a big difference in heating and cooling if you add them up. If you think you’re having this problem in and around your home, consider getting your siding checked by a professional to know whether you need your siding replaced.
You might also be considering a siding replacement if you don’t have time to regularly maintain your current one. Some materials only need the occasional rinsing as well as a scheduled maintenance check twice a year. Consider our excellent James Hardie siding products at Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. to know more benefits! Contact us at (650) 529-6798 or fill out our convenient online contact form.