Siding is pretty long-lasting, but it does not last forever. Many people do not realize there's anything wrong with their siding until they have a roofer or contractor come to do another job, and that professional points out that the siding needs to be replaced. This can come as quite a shock as siding replacement is pretty expensive. However, you can help prevent such surprises by doing your own siding inspection this weekend and then addressing any minor issues before they have a chance to get worse. Here's what to look for during your siding inspection.
Chipped and cracked siding
If pieces of your siding are chipped or cracked, this is not just a cosmetic issue. The damaged siding might let water behind it, which could cause mold and rot in your foundation and your home's frame. A contractor should be able to replace the damaged pieces of siding rather inexpensively.
Stains
Stains may not seem like a big deal, but they are often an indication that water has been pouring down your siding at that point. The water could be depositing minerals on the siding, leading to the stains, or algae could be growing in the moist area. You can remove the stains themselves by power washing, but you will need to address whatever is causing the water to run down the siding, too. It might be a hole in the gutter or a plugged gutter, so check your gutters first.
Warping
Stand at the edge of your house's exterior wall, and look down the wall. You should not see any obvious bulges or waves. If you do see bulges or waves, this indicates the siding in that area is warping, which could mean water will get behind it. This is something to have addressed ASAP. Make sure you repeat this process with each exterior wall.
Fading
Are there any areas where your siding looks significantly faded? You are most likely to see these in areas where the siding gets a lot of sunlight. They indicate UV damage. If the color change does not bother you, then you do not need to take action. But you should keep a close eye on those areas, since siding can become more brittle after it is sun-bleached. If you start noticing any chips or cracks, you need to call for repairs.
Inspect your siding about once a year, and any issues will be a lot less of a surprise.
When you develop a roof leak, you don't have time to ignore it. Issues with leaks can cause problems as simple as incoming water and as wide-ranging as mold accumulation inside your home, which is why you should never let an issue sit. However, if you aren't careful, you could develop problems with roofing that is simply open to the elements, allowing rain and snow to enter your home, melt, and contribute to problems like mold growth. On this blog, you can learn more about the kinds of roofing issues that you could be faced with, and what to do about them.