5 Signs You Need New Siding

With spring finally having arrived and the weather improving, you’re probably now a little more inclined to step outside and take a closer look at your home. Unfortunately, like many homeowners after a long winter, you may not exactly love what you see!

The winter can leave your siding looking a little dingy, dirty, and in need of a good thorough cleaning. But oftentimes, your home’s siding may need more than just a power washing. 

Depending on the condition of your siding, the best solution may in fact be replacing small to large sections with brand new siding. When it comes to siding, both age and the conditions that your home has faced play important factors. 

Vinyl siding and fiber cement siding, two of the most common siding choices for homeowners, have a lifespan of 20 to 40 years if properly maintained and cared for. But, that lifespan can be significantly shorted based on damage and wear it can face over this lifespan.

However, sometimes it may not be overtly obvious that your siding needs to be replaced. Not being able to identify when siding needs to be replaced can have negative effects on your home not just from an aesthetic standpoint, but from a standpoint of condition and value as well.

If you aren’t sure if your siding is ready to be replaced, keep an eye out for any of these five definitive signs.

Significant Damage

If heavy hail and wind has left your siding with an abundance of chips, cracks, or gaps in between sections, siding replacement services need to be on your mind. This kind of damage doesn’t just make your home look less attractive, it exposes the wood underneath to damage of all kinds. Gaps and cracks act as major avenues for moisture to enter and threaten the structural integrity of your home.  

Energy Bill Spikes

Even if your siding does not show immediate signs of damage, there may still be unseen issues that necessitate siding replacement. Siding plays a major role in maintaining your home’s insulation, keeping cool air in and hot air out during the summer months and visa versa in the winter and helping to regulate your energy bills. If you find your energy bills begin to spike during the hotter and colder months, it may be a result of siding gaps allowing air to escape and may be remedies by reinforcing insulation and new siding. You can test this by checking around your home for drafty spots near walls, windows, and electrical outlets.

Frequent Maintenance

In order to keep your siding looking beautiful and in good shape, some amount of regular maintenance is required – though depending on the siding your home uses (link to vinyl vs cement blog) it could be more or less. However, if you find yourself spending more and more time on siding maintenance it’s time to start thinking about replacing. Fiber cement siding in particular requires the occasional patching of sealing and a fresh coat of paint. But frequent sealing repairs may mean your boards are warping which will put the wood underneath at risk. 

You’re Moving

While putting your home on the market is far from a condition that can cause damage to your home, any homeowner who is looking into moving in the near future should seriously consider investing in new siding. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2018 Cost vs. Value Report, replacing siding is one of the single most rewarding home remodeling investments you can put into your home, increasing home value by almost 77%. Even if your siding isn’t in major disrepair, any wear and tear may be worth taking care of for the sake of a higher recoup when your house sells.

Mold or Rot

Mold or rot forming on your home or siding is one of the worst case scenarios and the biggest sign that your siding is well beyond the point of repairing. Mold and rot weakens the integrity and strength of your siding, making it less able to protect your home from moisture and damage, and makes it more vulnerable to chipping, cracking, or falling off. Unfortunately, mold and rot on our siding likely means it has already started to form on the sood structure of your home as well. If you see mold or rot on your siding, call a contractor to inspect your home as soon as possible.

Time for new siding? Call the pros at Lathrop Contracting. We have years of experience serving Indianapolis homeowners and installing vinyl siding and cement board siding. Schedule service online or call (317) 783-6929 today.