Summer is the time homeowners schedule home maintenance chores. But often the focus is on the yard, the landscaping, mending fences, staining and sealing the deck, and taking care of the pool. It’s easy to understand why. However, your home exterior needs some attention too. Siding protects your home. And siding that is in good shape boosts your curb appeal. As we head into fall (and then winter), common siding problems to look for include visible cracks, loose or missing panels, and mould growth.
Damaged Siding
Siding, such as vinyl siding, aluminum siding, and some types of composite siding, can take a beating especially during the winter months. But any kind of siding is subject to active weather any season of the year. Powerful winds can throw branches, debris, and even patio furniture up against the siding leaving dents (aluminum siding) and cracks (vinyl siding).
Wile a dent or two might not seem critical dents are often an indication that something is bent out of shape. When that happens, siding panels and the nails that hold them in place can let in moisture and air, compromising your home’s envelope. Holes can also allow moisture and air into your home.
Visible cracks are another common siding problem to watch out for. There are several reasons for cracks to appear in siding. The most frequent cause, as mentioned above, is the impact of objects making contact with siding panels. Another cause for cracking is due to the effects of contraction and expansion over time.
Moisture Problems
Siding is designed to keep out moisture and protect your home from the elements. The siding panels you see on the outside of your home are just one part of the siding installation process. A moisture barrier is put in between the siding and the house to prevent any water that does slide in behind the siding from penetrating into interior walls.
Adverse affects of moisture will result in damage to both the external and internal parts of the siding. Mould growth is typically an indication that siding has been experiencing moisture problems for a while. Cedar siding and wood siding can be susceptible to mould and wood rot, another warning sign of moisture problems.
Warping and Buckling
If you have vinyl siding, look for warping and buckling. While cedar siding and wood siding should be attached tightly to the exterior walls, vinyl siding should be installed to allow for slight expansion and contraction in response to changes in temperature. It can warp or buckle if, at the time of installation, the siding panels were nailed too tightly, eliminating room for movement. Once vinyl siding is warped or buckled, the panels can’t be repaired and need to be replaced.
Pests
Holes in cedar siding, composite wood siding, and wood siding might be inviting to pests looking to find a place to vacation for the winter. Gaps in vinyl siding due to warping or buckling might also have a similar effect. Rodents such as rats and mice can do a lot of damage to the home’s structure.
Missing Siding Panels
Missing or loose siding panels is a red flag that there is a problem and if not repaired can become worse further down the line. Any section of siding that lets in moisture will eventually compromise the structural integrity of your home.
