Siding is one of the most essential parts of any house. Not only is it important for aesthetic reasons, but it also keeps the elements away from the wood structure of your home. The importance of siding means that it must be replaced promptly if it is worn or damaged. However, it can be difficult to know when siding needs to be replaced. You can look for several signs that will help you figure out when to replace your house’s siding. Read on to learn more about the signs that will tell you when you must replace your house’s siding.
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Rot in Your Siding Needs To Be Addressed ASAP
Rot is one of the worst possible things that can happen to a house. Most houses are made primarily of wood, which is very susceptible to rot. Rotten wood will become unstable, and the home may even become too dangerous to live in. Many houses that develop rot originally had rotten siding or moisture that got behind it. This is more commonly found in homes with wooden siding, but it can happen to other types of siding. If your siding is rotten, it can spread to the rest of your house and cause catastrophic damage.
Replace Your Siding if you Notice Deep Cracks or Missing Siding Panels
It is common for some types of siding to develop small cracks. This can happen through normal wear and tear or because of a storm. However, a powerful storm can also cause deep cracks or even rip panels off of your siding. If this happens, you need to get your siding repaired or placed immediately. Any siding that is cracked or missing will let the elements into your home. This may lead to rot, mold, termite infestations, or several other serious problems.
Your Siding Requires Constant Maintenance & Cleaning
Every kind of siding needs to be cleaned on occasion. However, old and worn siding will get dirty more easily. This is because the protective coating that many types of siding have will eventually wear off. If you notice that you have to clean your siding much more often than you should, it is probably time to replace it. Remember, strong storms can wear off the protective coating much faster than normal wear and tear.
High Heating & Cooling Bills Mean its Time For Siding Replacement
If you’ve noticed that your home is drafty and that your heating and cooling bills are too high, your first thought might be that you need to replace your windows. While this may certainly be the case, worn or damaged siding can also let in drafts. This can also lead to abnormally high heating and cooling bills. While replacing your home’s siding will cost a certain amount upfront, it will save you money in the long run due to lower utility bills. Modern, cutting-edge siding is designed to insulate your home properly and to reduce energy usage.
Warped or Bulging Siding Panels
Warped or bulging siding panels may not seem like that big of a deal. After all, it’s not like the siding is cracked or missing. However, siding panels that are warped or bulging are badly damaged. They will not insulate your house properly. Also, damaged siding won’t protect your house’s wood frame properly from the elements or termites. Siding panels that are warping or bulging bad enough to create noticeable gaps must be replaced as soon as possible.
Mold & Mildew On Your Siding
If you notice mold or mildew on your home’s siding, you should clean it off right away. If left unchecked, this mold or mildew may spread to your house and cause serious damage. However, if you do not clean mold or mildew off your siding in time, it can be almost impossible to remove. If mold and mildew keep coming back after cleaning the siding, you may need to replace the siding panels. Replacing your siding will help ensure that the mold and mildew do not spread to the wooden frame of your house.
Finding the Right Professionals For Siding Replacement
While many of the siding problems mentioned in this article can be caused by wear and tear, damaged siding is often caused by a strong storm. In this circumstance, it is best to get storm restoration professionals to replace your siding. This is because these professionals will have plenty of experience repairing houses that have suffered the same sort of damage that your home has. These professionals will know how to overcome the unique challenges caused by storm damage.