Your home is one of your most important investments, and you want to do everything you can to protect it and keep it in top condition. Besides regular maintenance and upkeep, one of the most important things you can do is pay attention to the exterior siding. The siding on your home plays a vital role in protecting it from the elements and ensuring that your family can stay safe and comfortable inside. If you see any of the following signs, it’s time to call in a professional siding contractor.
- Peeling Paint or Rotting Wood
The paint on your siding should stay intact and in good condition for many years, especially if installed correctly. If you notice that the paint is peeling or the wood is rotting and decaying, it’s time to call in a professional before the damage spreads. This starts as small patches but can quickly spread to cover large areas of the siding if you don’t address it promptly. You may also see water damage or stains indicating rot and decay. Salt air damage is another common sign of siding that needs to be repaired for a building near the coast.
- Cracked or Damaged Vinyl
Vinyl siding is popular for homes because it’s durable, low-maintenance, and relatively inexpensive. However, severe weather conditions can take their toll on even the most resilient materials. High winds, hail, and other extreme weather can cause cracks or holes in the vinyl siding. These cracks or holes can let water and moisture into your home, causing severe damage to the interior walls and creating a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Besides the apparent aesthetic damage, this can quickly become a severe health hazard.
When looking for siding contractors, ensure they are experienced in vinyl siding and know how to repair it properly. Check their customer reviews and references to ensure you get the best quality work. The best siding contractor company will have a team of experts who can assess the damage and ensure your home is adequately protected from the elements. It’s upon you as a client to research the service provider and sample the previous projects. There is no better place to go than the website of the company you’re planning to hire.
- Gaps or Lose Sections
If you have wooden siding, check the seams and joints periodically. It’s not unusual for the wood to expand and contract with changes in temperature or humidity, but if the gaps become too wide, or you notice loose sections of the siding, act fast. It’s essential to address this issue immediately because debris can get into these spaces, such as leaves and dirt, then moisture can build up and create an environment where mold or rot can form.
- Water Damage or Mold Growth
Any moisture or water damage is a warning sign that you need siding repairs. You may notice discolored spots on the siding, excess moisture near the foundation, or mold and mildew growth on the walls. This is an even more significant problem in climates with high humidity because it creates a perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Calling a professional immediately is crucial because these issues can spread quickly if not taken care of promptly. Even worse, it can damage your home severely if the water and moisture get into the interior walls. For instance, wood rot can quickly spread, creating a serious safety hazard. This has a close connection with the issue of air infiltration.
- Bubbling or Blistering Paint
Blistering paint is a common sign that there are problems with your siding. The blistering occurs when air gets trapped under the paint, causing it to balloon up into tiny, raised bubbles.
The cause of the blisters can vary, but it’s usually due to improper installation or a lack of ventilation. In some cases, the blistering is just on the surface, and the siding has not been affected. Nevertheless, it’s necessary to inspect for any damage or other issues before you repaint.
- Insect Infestation
Wooden siding can be a breeding ground for insects like termites, carpenter ants, and other wood-boring bugs. Even if you don’t notice any damage, you may see signs of an insect infestation, like swarms of flying insects in the summertime.
Wooden siding can also attract powder post beetles, which create tiny holes in the wood and leave a cloud of fine powdery dust behind them. If you see any of these signs, a professional should inspect the siding to determine if repairs are needed.
If you notice any of these issues with your siding, get professional help quickly. These problems can quickly escalate and cause severe damage to the siding and your home. At the same time, hiring an experienced contractor who can inspect and repair the siding properly is crucial.