You and your neighbors see it every day, but when it comes to home improvement priorities, it doesn’t always get its due. It’s the siding on your home. And while siding may not be at the top of your home improvement agenda, it’s incredibly important to the overall aesthetics, energy-efficiency, and integrity of your home. Well-kept, high-quality siding significantly influences your home’s curb appeal and property value. Most importantly, your home’s siding protects your home from the elements – insulating it against extreme cold and heat, inclement weather, debris and pests.
So, what happens when your siding begins to fade, crack or show other signs of disrepair? Among other things, you run the risk of exposing your home to costly structural damage and major repairs.
If you notice that your siding is looking a little worse for wear, it may be time to take action; it’s far better to replace your siding before your home incurs serious damage.
But how can you tell if it’s time to replace your home’s siding? Here’s 7 signs from the home improvement experts at Champion to help you understand what to look for:
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- Cracked, Warped or rotting sidingThese may be the most obvious signs that your siding is damaged beyond repair. Walk around your home for a thorough visual inspection. Even small cracks could point to larger problem. Poke around. Is the layer beneath solid, or does it give way if you touch it? If there’s more rot beneath the cracked or warped portions of your siding, it might be time to call in a professional.
- Blisters or bubbles on your sidingIf you spot blisters or bubbling forming beneath the surface of your siding, take note! This a red flag; bubbles and blisters indicate that water has gotten trapped within the siding, which means you have a moisture problem. Since siding is supposed to prevent moisture from entering your home, this is a good indication that your siding is no longer doing its job.
- Fungus, mold or mildew on your sidingBe wary of fungus, mold or other kinds of growth that appear on your siding, particularly near the seams. These kinds of substances grow wherever moisture is available, which means that their presence could indicate that water is penetrating your siding. While not all instances of fungus are cause for alarm, they’re certainly worth further investigation.
- Severely faded sidingWhen siding loses its color and becomes severely faded, this is a sure sign that its weatherproofing is on its last leg. This doesn’t mean your siding is suddenly useless, but it’s a definitely a good time to consider upgrading your siding before more serious problems occur.
- Siding in need of frequent paintingMost homes require a fresh coat of paint every 8-10 years. If you find yourself needing to repaint your home much more frequently than that (say, every 3-6 years), the problem may not be the paint, but the siding underneath. Pealing or chipping paint are a strong indication that it’s time to replace your siding, and you may want to consider siding with long-lasting color and virtually no maintenance.
- Higher energy billsMany factors can be at play when your energy bills soar beyond the norm. If you’ve ruled out leaks in your attic, drafty windows and faulty insulation, then you should consider whether it’s bad siding that could be the culprit. The main purpose of siding is to help your home retain heat and cold, insulating it from the elements year-round. Old or damaged siding doesn’t insulate well, and that is reflected in your energy bill.
- Paint peeling inside your homeSometimes bad siding outside your home reveals itself inside your home. Do you notice any loose wallpaper or paint peeling in your home? If moisture is getting through your siding and into your walls, it can cause significant damage within your home. Wallpaper and paint problems can be a sign that your siding is allowing unwanted moisture to enter your home.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to take action. Don’t let your siding deteriorate any further.
7 signs that it’s time to replace your home siding. Champion. (n.d.). Retrieved June 2, 2022, from https://www.championwindow.com/inspiration/siding-tips/7-signs-that-its-time-to-replace-home-siding/
