Siding is one of the most important parts of your house because it protects your house’s wooden structure from the elements. The siding on your house is designed to stand up to many years of normal wear and tear. How long it can last before needing to be replaced varies based on how well you maintain it and the elements where you live. Of course, siding may also need to be replaced earlier because it has been damaged. One of the most common ways that siding gets damaged is from a strong storm. Read on to learn more about replacing house siding.
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How Often Should Siding Be Replaced Due to Normal Wear
There are four very different types of siding. The different types of siding include wood, aluminum, Hardie board, and vinyl. Wood siding requires more maintenance than Hardie board, aluminum, and vinyl. However, all four types of siding will last 20 years or more if properly maintained. Of course, this is assuming that the siding does not get badly damaged before it simply wears out. Unfortunately, siding can be badly damaged by weather, mold, or pests.
When Should Siding be Replaced Due to Damage?
One common rule of thumb is that siding should be replaced if the damage is more than just superficial. If there is a small scratch on the outside of the siding, it does not necessarily need to be replaced. However, if there is a crack that goes all the way through the panel, then the siding should be replaced. This is the case even if the crack in the siding is relatively small. The crack will only get larger over time, which means it will let in more water, mold, and potentially even termites. This could lead to catastrophic damage to your house’s structure.
Types of Siding Damage that Require Replacement
Bent & Warped Siding
It is very common for siding to become warped and bent. This is most commonly seen in vinyl siding, but it also happens in Hardie board, aluminum, and wood siding. If the siding panel is only slightly bent, you should simply keep an eye on it for the time being. However, any panel that is warped so badly that there is a gap between the panel and the structure of the house needs to be replaced immediately. As previously mentioned, any gap or a crack in a siding panel that allows the elements, mold, or termites to get to your home’s structure can lead to severe damage. If you aren’t sure whether or not a siding panel is damaged, it’s best to be on the safe side and simply replace the panel.
Moldy Siding
Another common problem with siding panels is mold. Mold is especially common on siding in more humid climates. If your siding panels have a little bit of mold on them, you should be able to simply clean them off quite easily. However, if the siding panels are covered in mold, it will be nearly impossible to eradicate the mold totally. This means it will simply keep coming back and getting worse. If you notice that mold keeps coming back repeatedly after you have cleaned it off, you may need to replace these panels altogether. This will prevent mold from spreading to the wood structure of your house. Mold spreads very rapidly and can cause wood to rot and become weaker. Also, this mold can spread inside your home, where it will become a health hazard for everyone.
Cracked or Missing Siding
Any panels that are cracked all the way through should be replaced immediately to protect your home. You should also replace missing siding panels immediately. If your home is only missing one small piece of siding, it may be tempting to simply overlook it. However, the elements, mold, and termites only require a small opening to infiltrate your home. Once it has infiltrated your home, you will likely need to have extensive repair work done. It is much quicker and easier to simply replace one siding panel than to get expensive home repairs. It is always best to be on the safe side if you have house siding issues and replace any siding panels that have problems as quickly as possible before problems spread to the structure of your house.
Choosing the Right Professionals for a Siding Replacement Job
It is technically possible for people to replace the siding on their homes themselves. However, it is a trickier job than one might think. Any mistakes when installing the siding could lead to your home not being protected properly. It is best to go with trained and experienced professionals like Elysian. If your siding needs to be replaced due to storm damage, it is best to go with storm damage restoration professionals. This is because these professionals handle siding installation and take care of any other storm damage problems your home may have.