Your home’s exterior siding is important: not only does it affect how your home looks, but it’s also a key barrier protecting your home from the elements.
That’s why giving your exterior sidings panels proper maintenance is so important.
If you inspect your siding and find damage, you should address it quickly–but that’s easier said than done. The first thing you need to do is determine the extent of the damage and determine how to proceed.
You’ll have two options: repair the exterior sidings or replace it. The question is, how can you tell when your siding is beyond repair?
Whether you have exterior wood siding, exterior vinyl siding, or a different siding style, there are a few ways to determine if your siding needs replaced. Keep reading to learn six signs that exterior sidings repair won’t cut it.
1. Your Siding Is Rotting
The presence of rot is one sure sign that you need to replace your exterior plywood siding. If there’s only a small section of rot, you may only need to replace that area; if it’s widespread, you’ll need to re-side the whole house.
Vinyl siding is resistant to rot, making it a good choice if you want to avoid these issues in the future.
2. Your Energy Bills Are Rising
Have your energy bills shot up recently, even though you aren’t doing anything differently? Your siding may be the issue–damaged siding can make your home less energy-efficient.
Replacing your siding can get your bills back under control; visit this website to learn more about the benefits of new siding.
3. You Find Mold and Mildew
Most people are quick to track down mold inside their home, but they may not check for mold on their exterior siding. Exterior mold can cause many problems, especially if you have exterior wood siding.
4. There Are Cracks and Gaps
At first glance, cracks and gaps in siding probably seem like a problem that you can repair without a full replacement. The truth is these damage your home’s structural integrity, allowing moisture and insects into your house.
If you find cracks in your siding, you should get it replaced immediately, before the situation worsens.
5. There’s Too Much Upkeep
Do you find yourself repainting your home every few years? Are there other issues that keep cropping up with your siding? The easiest solution may be to install new, more durable siding.
Exterior vinyl siding tends to be more durable and needs less maintenance than other siding styles.
6. You See Warping and Bulging
Cracks and gaps are obvious signs of siding damage, but not all damage can be seen so easily. It may be hidden beneath your exterior siding. Check for warped or bulging exterior siding panels.
If you find any, there’s a good chance that it hides deeper damage that will necessitate siding replacement.
Replace Your Exterior Siding
Reliable, sturdy exterior siding is a necessity for any home. While some siding issues can be fixed with a simple repair, many times you’ll need to replace the siding completely.
Think of the replacement as an opportunity to install exterior shiplap siding or whatever other style you might want!
Unsure how to install new siding? Visit our home improvement blog for advice on this and many other projects around the house!