Today, homeowners have the luxury of choice with a large variety of materials for the siding. Each material, however, has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of style, look, cost, and durability among others. Most are made with weather-resistant materials that are there to accommodate changes in temperature or humidity.
No matter what material makes up your siding, it is still prone to wear, especially with the New Jersey weather. Changing your siding can become a costly endeavor so this is usually done out of complete necessity.
Do you think you need to change your siding?
Below are a few signs that you probably should.
Visible Bubbling or Blisters
Exposure to high levels of moisture and heat can cause bubbles and blisters to form on the panels of your house’s siding. Bubbles form because of moisture or water that is trapped underneath, which defeats the main purpose of the siding, which is to keep water out of your home. Any areas where bubbling or blisters form are in need of siding replacement. If you aren’t sure, you can always give us a call to get our expert opinion.
However, the buildup of water within the siding could cause a lot of damage in the long run. It’s best to avoid running up a higher cost of repair for internal damage to the house’s structure by getting these early signs checked and replaced.
Pests
Wildlife animals and insects can cause damage to the siding. Woodpeckers create small holes in wooden materials while insects can burrow deep and eat the material from the inside. This causes increasing problems as the holes also allow other elements to penetrate the protective barrier. These holes could lead to the water build-up that caused the signs of bubbling we talked about earlier.
Dry Rot
Dry rot is caused by a fungus growing on the siding, causing the material to break down. Not only does it make your home look old and decrepit, but it also weakens the siding materials. The siding usually starts to decompose from within. In order to spot this before it reaches the exterior, tapping the sides of your home with a screwdriver handle can help pinpoint areas that have been hollowed out by decomposition.
To prevent dry rot from spreading and affecting your entire home, you’ll need to quickly replace affected and damaged areas. An assessment by our team can help you identify and fix this problem before it gets out of hand.
Fungus, Mold, or Mildew
Aside from the dry rot that ruins the internal structure of your siding, other microorganisms should be avoided. Fungus, Mold, or Mildew are likely to grow on the seams and edges of the siding. Their growth is a sign of water entering these areas. A quick solution would be to just brush them off but with the water already inside the siding, it’s likely to grow in the same area again. Replacing these areas is recommended.
Loose or Cracked Siding
The sight of a loose board won’t mean that you need to replace everything. If you notice this directly after a strong storm, then the damage was likely caused by that. Replacing the loose board and checking the rest of the house for other damaged areas should be a good precautions to take. However, the sight of multiple cracks and loosened edges could mean there is an underlying structural problem. Getting a professional assessment to identify the cause is best.
But, regardless of the cause, cracked and lose boards need replacement. These damages, if not fixed immediately, could only cause water and other elements to cause further damage.
Extremely High Bills
One of the main functions of the siding is to control the internal temperature of the house by preventing the heat or cold from the outside environment to enter. Faulty siding is unable to perform this function well so there would be a lot of lost heat or cold. Another cause of this would be a faulty ventilation system or a problem with the insulation. But if all else checks, then you best check the state of your siding and have it repaired.
Not every homeowner is keen to get their siding replaced. But, it is a must to protect your home from heavy rains, snowfall, hail, or from insect infestation. Aside from the need for protection from external factors, well-maintained siding also gives you a pleasant home to look at.
