Siding is often something that gets ignored or neglected by many homebuyers. And it’s easy to put off siding repairs. It might start with a few minor things here and there, but these can quickly accumulate. When things get out of hand, you’ll have no choice but to have it replaced. This is not only essential to preserve your home and its aesthetics, but also for it to retain its value and be attractive to prospective buyers. Here are a few signs that your home’s siding may need to be replaced.
Hail Damage
Hail can be disastrous to roofs, but that’s not the only component of a house that hail can damage. Hail can wreak havoc on your siding as well when it hits at an angle. This is why you need to perform a thorough visual inspection after every severe hail storm to see if you can see any divets. These will look like small craters. You might also notice that some of the paint has chipped. In this case, you may need to have the siding inspected or re-sealed.
If you decide to have the siding replaced, we also suggest you check out this piece by Principles Building & Remodeling. They lay out what you need to look out for when choosing siding, so you can get maximum protection and a return on your investment.
Gaps and Cracks
This is one of the clearest signs that your house’s siding needs to be replaced. You cannot afford to be neglectful here. A hole in your siding can spell trouble in so many ways.
For one, this is another entryway for pests. While some may seem benign, others could jeopardize the house’s structural integrity, like termites, for instance. This is also another way for water and moisture to get through and could lead to rot and mold. This is something that needs to be fixed immediately, even if it might look minor at first glance.
No Time for Maintenance
You may also want to replace the siding pre-emptively if the current one demands too much maintenance. A home with wooden siding might look nice and you might enjoy it for a few years, but after a while, a lot of homeowners grow tired of the maintenance it demands.
In this case, you could make the switch to vinyl. It’s inexpensive and lasts forever. More importantly, the maintenance is minimal. It can be cleaned with nothing but a hose and doesn’t constantly need to be refinished like other options.
Higher Bills
There are also subtler signs that there’s something wrong with your home’s siding. If your energy bills have skyrocketed for no reason, then the siding might be the cause here. Siding plays an essential role in isolating your home in the winter and protecting it from direct sunlight in the summer, reducing the demand on AC as a result. So, if your bills have been uncharacteristically high lately and you haven’t made major changes, the siding might be the culprit.
If you notice any of these issues, then it could be a sign that you should replace or repair your siding. Make sure that you always keep a close eye on its condition and make the proper corrections immediately.
