Most of us probably don’t consider siding to be one of the more important features of our home. We’re often too busy thinking about more exciting home improvements like wall paint and flooring. It’s easy to dismiss siding as “something that can wait,” but consider that your home’s siding is the barrier between the frame of your house and any and all outside elements!
The condition of your home’s siding can have major implications on other structural features of your home. Those panels of wood, vinyl, and fiber cement are seriously important stuff! So now might be a good time to put down the paint swatches and floor samples to take a peek outside, just to see how well that old siding is holding up.
Deterioration in your siding can vary depending on the material. Since there are many different types of siding on the market, it’s best to get familiar with what is installed in home, and the type of wear and tear you might experience over the years.
So. You’ve done your due diligence. You took the time to inspect your home’s siding and, uh oh, you found some problems. Yikes. Now what? You might be wondering, do I have to replace my siding? Or, can it be repaired? These are great questions. And, we have some answers.
The overall rule-of-thumb is simple: if the damage is minor and affects only a small area, it can likely be repaired. (However, there are some exceptions.) Widespread damage, or issues involving moisture, likely will need to be replaced.
Some of the most repairable siding problems include:
Dents – These can usually be fixed by simply replacing the dented panel without having to replace entire sections of paneling.
Cracks and chipping – If the area is small, and no moisture is present, this type of stress can be repaired.
MINOR mold – Be careful with mold! It’s important to identify the source of the mold to rule out other problems. But, if the mold is confined to a minimal area, and not causing any other structural problems, then a repair should solve the problem.
The number one benefit of repair is prevention. Frequent inspection of your home’s siding will likely always leave you facing a repair job over replacement work. Maintenance prevents major problems from arising and repairs are always more cost-effective.
There are times however when your siding does need to be replaced. The most common situations homeowners face for replacement siding are:
Rot, rot, rot – This is a sure sign that your siding must be replaced. Rot, of any kind, even small areas, are serious business and should not be ignored. Rot can lead to failing posts and beams in the frame which can cause your house, quite literally, to crumble.
Swelling and warping – If you notice swelling or bulging in your siding this is often a sign of moisture leakage. Moisture can cause mold growth, rot, and insect infestations which compromise the structural integrity of your walls. Warping is usually a sign of UV exposure.
Mold and fungi – Mold spreads quickly. If it gets underneath your siding it will feed on the organic materials from which your house is made, like wooden beams and drywall, causing structural deterioration. Mold can spread to other parts of your home as well, including your ventilation system. Breathing in mold spores causes chronic respiratory illness. If you find mold on your home’s siding, or anywhere in your house, do not leave it unchecked!
Sun-fading – UV light will cause siding to fade over the course of many years. If you find yourself with sun-faded siding, the best option is replacement since there are no good solutions on the market for repair.
While you may feel a bit frustrated about having to spend money on siding, (after all you can think of so many cooler ways to spend money on your home) don’t fret, there’s good news. Homeowners see up to an 80% return on investment(ROI) on new siding. While this ROI varies depending on the type of material you choose it’s an overall solid investment in your home.
Another benefit for replacing your siding is the all-around curb appeal. New siding makes the exterior of a home whistle with a modern, sleek look that appears clean and tidy. Replacing your home’s siding can also save on energy bills. Damaged siding can result in unnecessary air flow circulating through your home driving up the cost of heating and cooling.
If you’ve got questions about your siding, we’re here to help. Webfoot has a dedicated home siding team and can field any of your burning need-to-know inquiries. We don’t currently offer services in vinyl siding but we’ll gladly recommend someone who does. Reach out and let us hear all about your siding.
