The purpose of siding is twofold. Firstly, it ties together the exterior elements of your home, providing a clean, visually attractive finish. Your choice of siding and its quality over the years plays a huge role in determining your home’s curb appeal. Even if your interior is perfectly homey, crumbling, warped, or rotting siding doesn’t make a great first impression.
Secondly, and more importantly, siding is designed to protect your home against the elements. It should keep out rain and snow and safeguard the layers beneath it from hail or wind damage. New siding can be quite the expensive undertaking, so to make sure you’re getting the most out of your old siding, look for these signs that it needs to be replaced.
Mold, Mildew, and Rot
Growth of mold, mildew, or any kind of fungus can mean your siding is failing to keep out moisture. Rotting siding indicates the same, though the rot might not be immediately visible. Look for warped siding, and use a screwdriver to poke beneath and see if the lower layers siding are still solid.
Don’t neglect to check for dry rot, either. Because it starts below the surface, the exterior layer of siding can look perfectly fine when it’s really rotting from the inside out. To uncover dry rot, use the rubber handle of a tool to tap on the exterior of the siding, noting any soft areas or spots that give way.
Small sections of rot may be able to be repaired, but larger sections may require a total replacement. When choosing the material of your new siding, consider something with long-lasting weatherproofing, like seamless steel or vinyl.
Physical Damage
Whether from pests or weather, look for signs of physical damage to your siding. Minor chips and dents resulting from hail damage not only affect visual appeal, but they can cause financing to be denied. Larger problems, like holes, cracks, and gaps between siding, can allow moisture and pests into your home, compromising the integrity of your walls.
Increasing Energy Bills
Your siding is your home’s first defense against the frigid cold of winter and sweltering heat of summer. While rising heating or cooling bills may not directly indicate your old siding is losing its effectiveness, it’s something to consider. While you check your insulation and search for drafty windows, give your siding a thorough inspection to determine if it’s part of the problem.
Interior Paint Peeling
Signs of ineffective siding aren’t just on the outside of your home. If you notice peeling paint or wallpaper on the inside of an exterior wall, it could point to moisture inside the wall. Check the siding for damage or spots where water is sneaking through.
If you find your home in need of new siding this year, there’s no better contractor to trust than Minnesota Home Improvement. We offer a wide variety of styles and materials to match your house’s style, and we take care in ensuring your home will be protected from the elements year-round. Request a free quote and view our siding remodels online.
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