Your home’s siding is one of the first things people will notice about your home. However important curb appeal may be to you and your neighbors, your siding is also protecting your home and your family from cold and rain, as well as humidity and harmful pests. Because it’s so important to have your siding replaced before any damage occurs to your home, here are a few things you should keep an eye out for.
Peeling and Cracking
If you notice cracks in your siding, or if the siding is peeling and leaving a chalky substance, those could be signs of moisture sneaking into your walls. If humidity gets behind the wall panels, the wood could rot, causing the siding to break down. Best to call in a professional to examine the problem before it gets any worse.
Warping in the Siding
Take a look down the side of your house and look for buckling or warping. Sometimes moisture gets beneath the siding panels, rotting and warping the wood underneath, and exacts pressure on the siding. Once the siding starts to buckle, it’s a good indication that it needs to be replaced.
Fungus or Mold Growing in the Siding
Any fungus occurring on the siding itself is a big no-no. Periodically, walk about the exterior of your house, examining the siding for mold and fungus. If you spot some on the boards or in the seams, you need to consider replacing your siding. It’s also a pretty good indication that the moisture has gotten into the wood under the siding, so the sooner you get this fixed, the better.
Separation of the Siding Boards
Even if warping isn’t present in the siding, if there is separation in the seams between the siding boards, that means moisture has gotten behind it, warped the wood underneath, and separated the siding. While it could also be an indication of poorly installed siding, that doesn’t change the fact that the siding is damaged and needs to be replaced.
Peeling Wallpaper or Paint Indoors
Sometimes sagging wallpaper or peeling paint within your home is actually an indication that the siding outside your home is damaged and is allowing moisture to enter the walls of your home. While it may not necessarily be the siding causing the paint to peel, it’s a good sign that something is wrong and you should have it inspected.
The kind of damage that occurs to your walls in these instances shows you just how your entire home can be in danger when the siding breaks down. As soon as you notice any of these warning signs, call in an expert and have them take a look at it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
