Unified Home Remodeling

Is It Time To Replace Your Siding?

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The siding on your home helps to ensure your house stays in the best possible condition for as long as possible. Siding also helps keep the warmth in during the winter and heat out in the summer which makes your home more energy-efficient. Siding also helps to prevent water from infiltrating your home. Plus it looks great and gives your home a clean, polished look.

However, siding doesn’t last forever and requires regular maintenance and eventually, it will need replacing. Here are some signs to look out for that indicate your home’s siding needs replacing. 

The Siding is Cracked or Loose

Loose siding is especially common after a storm where high winds may have loosened the siding or even pulled off whole boards. When this happens, it is important to check if the layers underneath the siding have been broken or cracked. If you notice larger sections of cracked or loose siding this may be a sign of a bigger problem that will need to be attended to by a professional immediately. 

Regardless of the extent of the damage, any broken or loose pieces of siding need to be removed and replaced to prevent water from seeping in behind the damaged pieces. 

Whether your siding is loose due to wind damage or cracked from aging, you should consult with a professional who can advise you as to whether you should replace individual boards or the entire home’s siding. 

The Siding is Faded or Peeling

Fading is a sign that the lifespan of your siding’s weather-proofing properties has run its course. Siding typically retains its color for the life of the product, which is why fading is an indicator that it’s time to replace your home’s siding. Fading can occur from extensive heat or other weather damage. When this happens your siding is no longer able to function as it was meant to leaving your house vulnerable and exposed to the elements.

The Siding is Rotting or Warped

Siding that has begun to rot, appears warped or is soft to the touch needs to be replaced immediately. One of the easiest ways to test if your siding has rotted is to use a screwdriver or other tool to gently lift the boards along the gutters or chimney to see if the material underneath is soft and easy to penetrate. 

If this is the case, there is significant rotting and the siding must be replaced or your house may experience a more damaging effect. However, if the underneath material crumbles, splits or sounds hollow you may have dry rot which is not typically visible to the eye and can cause extensive damage to your home. It’s important to try and detect this issue before it becomes visible to the eye since the fungus that causes dry rot begins below the surface and eats away at the siding over time deteriorating your home’s foundation.

In both cases, you should consult with a professional who can advise you on what is the best action to take regarding the situation you have.

There Are Holes or Damage in the Siding

Holes or damaged siding is often a result of a storm or physical damage, or in the case of smaller holes, it could be due to insect damage. This is a problem because moisture can get into the material underneath which can lead to mold growth and other issues.

Regardless of the size of the hole or damage, it can lead to bigger problems over time if you don’t repair the damaged siding properly. Simply covering or filling the hole is not the best solution since it does not guarantee a proper seal to protect your home.

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There is Growth on Your Siding

Any type of growth on your siding can be problematic and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Some things to look for are fungus, mold, algae, and mildew all of which indicate that moisture may be trapped in the siding and seeping through the walls of your home. It’s important to remove any fungus or mildew you find on your siding at least twice a year to prevent it from becoming a bigger problem down the line. You should also inspect the area you find it growing regularly to ensure the siding is still keeping your home watertight. 

The Siding is Bubbling & Water Stains Appear on Interior Walls

Bubbles in your exterior siding, water stains on interior walls, and peeling or water-stained wallpaper are all signs that your home’s siding is no longer preventing the elements from getting into your home.

It’s important for homeowners to regularly inspect their homes, especially after a storm to ensure the inside of any exterior walls doesn’t show signs of water damage or water infiltration. If this is the case, your siding is no longer watertight and needs to be replaced or reinstalled. Talk to a professional to find out what the best solution is to your specific situation.

Your Heating & Cooling Bills Have Gone Up

While there are a lot of reasons that could contribute to an increase in your home energy bills, you shouldn’t rule out an issue with your siding. Siding is a major insulator of your house and can cause your heating and cooling bills to rise.

If you have eliminated other possible causes such as a leaking roof, poor attic insulation, a faulty furnace, or your family changing their behavior significantly, you should look into your home’s siding. In many cases, replacing your siding can significantly reduce your energy usage and lower your heating and cooling bills. 

Contact Us Today for Siding Replacement

Our professionally trained experts at Unified can help you inspect and repair your siding. We will work with you to discuss your options regarding siding and help you make the best choice possible. Contact us today at (888) 631-2131 to learn more.

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