Replacing home siding, like replacing a home roof, is a cost that most people don’t want to incur. But homeowners should think about contacting Siding & Windows Group before the damage gets too advanced, leading to structural damage and truly expensive repairs.
Here are some of the signs and consequences you should look out for:
1. Water Damage
If your siding is damaged or part of it is missing, then water can get through the gap and penetrate your home’s walls. The water will not only cause havoc with the siding panels, but it may damage other parts of your home, such as your interior walls.
Other damage to look for includes rotting or warping siding, cracked, loose or faded siding, or siding with holes in it. Bubbles in the siding can be a sign that water is trapped underneath, which is wrong since siding is supposed to keep water away from your walls. Such wear and damage may show that it is no longer providing proper protection and you may need to get replacement siding.
2. Peeling Paint or Loose Wallpaper in the House
Many homeowners don’t put this together right away, but peeling paint and loose wallpaper inside the home could be a sign of faulty siding. Moisture could have seeped underneath the siding, where it percolates through the wallboard and starts to damage the inside of the house.
Also, if the exterior of the home requires frequent painting (every six years or less), then that too can signify your siding isn’t doing its work.
3. High Energy Bills
If your home heating and cooling costs start to climb dramatically – or are out of line with neighbors who own similar homes – that could show that you need replacement siding. Faulty siding and low-grade wall insulation are leading causes of high energy bills.
You should do a visual inspection of the siding, including where it meets the roof, to see if there are leaks. Also keep in mind that you should also check the roof for leaks and lack of insulation since these could also cause energy costs to spike.
4. Fungus, Mold, and Mildew
Any growth, such as fungus, mold or mildew on a home’s siding, especially around the seams, may indicate that water is penetrating it. Held inside the wall, the water may be causing unwanted growth and perhaps structural damage.
Not all fungus, mold or mildew indicates such a problem, but you need to check it out to be sure. Also keep in mind that these things can pose a health hazard inside your home, causing wheezing, coughing, running nose, and other allergic reactions.
5. Curb Appeal is Lost
Old and damaged siding can affect your home’s appearance. The loss of curb appeal can hurt you if you try to sell your home. Also, how you and your family feel about your home can be affected by your home’s dilapidated appearance.
6. Skyrocketing Costs
By putting off getting replacement siding when you need it, you risk making any structural damage to your home much worse. So the final bill to fix your home and get new siding can be much higher than if you bite the bullet and deal with the problem right early.
Contact Siding & Windows Group for a free quote and consultation. We are the top-rated windows and siding professionals serving Chicagoland and North Shore. With more than 30 years of experience, we have achieved a 100% approval rating from hundreds of customers served.
As Chicago’s premier siding company, Siding Group offers the industry’s best siding products, including James Hardie Siding. This highly rated siding combines the warmth and character of wood with the unrivaled durability and low maintenance of fiber-cement, and carries up to 30-year limited transferable product warranty against chipping, rotting, cracking, and delamination.