10 Signs You Need Your Siding Replaced

No one can stress enough how important siding is. It is a crucial component of your house�s exterior that serves as a barrier against external elements. This is the reason why homeowners like you must consider replacing your siding once it begins to show a number of issues or becomes severely damaged. In this post, we discuss the top 10 signs that tell you that you need your siding replaced.

1.   High Heating and Cooling Bills

A poorly performing siding matched with low-quality wall insulate can be your primary cause of wasted energy and, therefore, excess heating and cooling costs. While there are other possible culprits responsible for energy loss, such as  your roof and windows, a thorough inspection of  your siding will easily indicate if heated or cooled air is indeed escaping through it.

2.   You Find the Need to Paint Your Siding Frequently

If your siding�s paint chips, peels, or cracks frequently, say every few years, that's a good indicator that something more serious is wrong with it. Sound siding should be able to keep its color and shape for at least eight years, if not longer. Otherwise, there must be a fundamental problem that needs to be addressed.

3.   Rotting and Warping

A visual inspection can mostly reveal this problem. It is easy to notice warped siding or severely damaged or rotting boards. However, to check further for hidden issues, take a screwdriver and poke it under a warped section of siding. If it gives, then there's rot underneath.

4.   Cracked or Loose Siding

If one or two siding panels or boards have cracked or come loose after a storm, replacing them can easily solve the problem. However, if large sections of the siding have cracked and many pieces or panels have loosened, then there may be bigger problems that require you to considersiding replacement.

5.   Interior Paint and Wallpaper Are Peeling

Bad or damaged siding can allow moisture to seep through the walls. This is why interior paint will bubble and peel, and wallpaper will pull away from the wall. Aside from aesthetic reasons, this should alarm you, as it means that the walls themselves are affected by moisture damage.

6.  Fungus, Mold, and Mildew Buildup

Any type of growth or buildup on a home�s siding, especially near or at the seams, indicates that water is being held inside the wall where it is slowly causing fungus, mold, and mildew growth. While the growths themselves are not always a cause for alarm, they are an indication that there is a bigger problem underneath.

7.   Severe Fading

If your siding has faded  severely, it may mean that the siding is old and that it has reached its life expectancy. If this is the case, a replacement may be due.

8.   Bubbling or Blistering

Bubbling and blistering are indications that water is trapped on or under the siding and it is not impossible that moisture has already worked its way through, causing more damage.

9.  Holes in the Siding

Holes in siding are mainly caused by insects and other pests. Even small holes can be considered a major concern as they can allow water, rain, and snow to penetrate through the home�s walls.

10.  Dry Rot

Dry rot begins from below the surface of the siding. It eats away the siding�s �body� even before it becomes visible at the surface. In most cases, it can even leave the top layer intact, effectively hiding the problem beneath. Extensive dry rot requires siding replacement as it renders the siding practically useless.

If you notice these signs on your siding, it is best to consult a siding professional who can perform a thorough inspection and recommend the right solutions.

John Zatwarnytsky is Vice President of Homecraft, Inc. He�s passionate about giving his clients the best-quality workmanship, ensuring that projects are completed beautifully and efficiently. He reaches out to more people by addressing common roofing and home improvement concerns through his blog.

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