Is Your Siding Starting to Fail? Find Out Why

​An important element that helps protect everything inside your home is the siding. While this may not be the most exciting renovation project, it is extremely important. This is especially true since the siding’s lifespan depends on what it is put through.

Getting to know some of the biggest threats to your home’s siding will help you prevent problems and increase its longevity. Keep reading to learn what these threats are.

PestsIf you have wood siding, it is important to note that it is particularly vulnerable to pests. This includes everything from carpenter bees and meal bugs to woodpeckers and anything else searching for sustenance and refuge. Your siding offers both these things.

Termites can tunnel through the wood, so will powder post beetles. As the situation gets worse, it will limit how protective your siding is. However, it is not just the wood that may be impacted. Some of the other siding components that are supported by the underlying wood structures will also become vulnerable.

If you want to keep pests from destroying your siding, consider using insecticides. You can also run hot water in the area. Other options include using eco-friendly products on the nearby trees that may be the source of the pests. This lets you eliminate them without causing damage to the trees.

MoistureSiding is uniquely designed. It is built and installed to help keep moisture out. If the siding is damaged, even if you can’t see the damage that has occurred, moisture can quickly become a serious and damaging problem. This is true no matter what type of siding you have installed. Some of the top signs of moisture impacting your siding and, as a result, your home is buckling and warping.

Improper Maintenance HabitsMost of the siding available today is touted as being low maintenance. It’s important to note that this does not mean any maintenance. You cannot neglect your siding and expect it to continue standing up to the elements. You must have your home’s siding inspected regularly. This is especially important after severe weather moves through your area.

As time passes, the issues will accumulate, and you may find yourself in an “emergency” siding situation. However, with regular maintenance and a professional siding contractor, you can catch the smaller issues before they get bigger and more difficult to repair.

Bad or Improper InstallationIt’s important to note that not all contractors are the same. Many don’t have the experience required to install siding properly. This can reduce its lifespan significantly. Take time to learn about the contractors in your area and find one that has experience with the type of siding you are having installed.
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If you notice any of the siding on your home is damaged or has other issues, don’t wait to call for repairs. The longer you wait, the bigger the issue will become and the more expensive it will be to repair. Keep this in mind to know when it is time to take action.