Most people don’t pay much attention to the siding on their home. It’s not like you circle the propertywith a clipboard on a regular basis, looking for issues that need dealing with. And typically, most homeowners only notice when something is off, never when things are looking and working as they should be, especially when it comes to siding.
But siding is your home’s first line of defence against the elements, bugs, and all the other random stuff the world throws at the building. Catching the warning signs that your protection isn’t at 100% or is showing signs of distress means you can set about rectifying it quickly, so nothing breaks through the defenses.
So what are we looking for when checking siding for damage or signs that it needs to be replaced entirely?
Battered Boards
Does it look like your siding has been through a particularly rough season? Is it warped, cracked, or missing bits? These signs aren’t “character;” they’re damages you need to address. When your siding starts to deteriorate, you could be dealing with a whole host of issues, including rot, so you need to start thinking of a siding replacement once you reach this point over repairs.
Fading Colour
Color fades with time, we all know that, and you should expect some sun fading on your siding over the years. However, rapid fading despite touch-ups or paint that keeps peeling is an indicator that all is not well, and it needs further investigation. Typically, this is a sign you need new siding, not just repairs and painting.
Increasing Bills
There are many reasons why your bills are sneaking up, and for the most part, you probably don’t attribute it to your siding. However, an increase in energy consumption can be due to increasing drafts around the house, and your siding could be the culprit.
Old siding lets air in and leak it out, and before you know it, your AC is running overtime and your bank account is taking a beating. If this feels familiar, then it might be worth checking your siding to see if it has sustained any damage that could be contributing to your higher-than-usual bills.
Damp and Weird Smells
Your siding protects your home from the elements, and this means from the rain, too. And if you’ve noticed the unsightly appearance of water stains or mildew crawling up the walls, then it’s not just ugly; you have a moisture problem that needs addressing sooner rather than later. Water loves to find its way through the smallest of cracks, and when these cracks are in your siding, it’s highly likely you won’t notice until the problem is serious enough to cause that musty smell no one wants in their home.
Pests Are Your New Lodgers
Your siding, when in a good state of repair, will protect your home from unwanted pests. But as soon as the damage appears, it becomes a neon vacancy sign to those critters you’d rather not become close neighbours or squatters. From woodpeckers drilling holes to termites nibbling away, and let’s not forget squirrels making your home their new crash pad, your siding can take a battering from pests, and if they make enough damage, it might be time to start issuing eviction notices and boarding up your home again for good, this time with new siding or extensive repairs.
