Was your home built before 1978? If so, there’s a chance that it contains some lead paint.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that around 35% of U.S. homes contain some lead-based paint. What does this mean for you, and for the safety of your kids? We’re discussing the dangers of lead paint, a common hazard found in older homes, and how it can affect your siding. We will outline why it is important to replace your siding if your home has lead paint and how it can improve the safety and value of your home.
Lead paint hazards in houses are the most common source of lead exposure for U.S. children. Kids, especially infants and toddlers, are at a much greater risk of exposure to lead than adults because they crawl around floors that may contain lead dust, and frequently put items in their mouths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that approximately half a million U.S. children have blood lead levels high enough for targeting prevention-related actions.
Lead is a highly toxic metal that may cause a range of health problems, especially in young children. When lead is absorbed into the body, it can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs, like the kidneys, nerves, and blood. Lead may also cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures, and in extreme cases, death. Some symptoms of lead poisoning may include headaches, stomachaches, nausea, tiredness, and irritability. The bottom line: lead exposure is hazardous to your health and taking action to remove it should be a priority.
Siding is important, it’s your home’s first line of defense against weather and pests. Your siding is like an exterior windbreaker enabling insulation to do its job regulating the temperature and humidity inside. When you are suffering from decaying siding or siding that peels and rots, it can’t act as a guard against the elements. When your siding is is falling apart, loose, cracked, warped, buckled, or sagging, it can fall prey to nesting rodents and damaging insects. If you begin to notice holes in your siding or any unusual damage to your exterior, it might time to consider replacing it. If your current siding is 25-30 years old, then it’s most likely at the end of its life cycle. Very old siding often needs to be replaced or at the least could use some repairs. A good siding should last between 20 and 40 years with proper care. However, it is also good to note that the type of siding material, environment, and the quality of lifetime care will determine how long your siding will last.
Not only will replacing potentially dangerous and harmful siding improve the overall safety of your home, it will also increase property value. Potential buyers may form an opinion of your house before setting foot inside by how it appears on the outside. They’ll even pay 7% more for a home on average with great curb appeal than one with a neglected exterior. New siding can set you back $5,447 to $16,652 or an average of $10,945, reports HomeAvisor. But don’t let sticker shock deter you since you’ll recoup most of this cost in resale value. For two popular siding options, fiber cement and vinyl, homeowners recover 86% and 82% of their investment, respectively, according to the 2022 Remodeling Impact Report by the National Association of Realtors. As an added bonus, new siding can increase your home’s energy efficiency to put extra cash in your wallet with lower utility bills over the long term. You can also resolve hidden problems lurking underneath your old siding, such as mold, insects, or dry rot, before they become major issues or a home inspection roadblock.
If you suspect your home has lead paint, it is time to look into siding replacement options for the safety of you and your family. There’s no need to hire a general contractor to have your siding repaired or replaced. Over the years, we have fine tuned our process to efficiently and effectively remove lead paint and replace your siding. Webfoot's in-house carpenters can handle any exterior project, from smaller repairs to large scale replacement jobs. We can match nearly any siding type if we're doing partial replacement, or we can advise you on which siding type will be the best value for you and your home going forward. Contact us for more information and to schedule a consultation today.
