The siding of your house is crucial to your home’s overall aesthetics, energy efficiency, and integrity. While it may not be at the top of your home improvement agenda, it’s still an essential part of your home. Your home’s siding is important for more than curb appeal; good quality siding will protect your property from the elements and increase its resale value. Most importantly, however, siding protects your home against extreme weather conditions, debris, and pests.
Fading, cracked, or worn-out siding can lead to more expensive problems like structural damage and repairs.
But how can you tell when it’s time to replace your home’s siding? Here are seven signs from Champion home improvement experts to help you understand what to look for:
- Cracked, warped or rotten siding These may be the most obvious signs that your siding is damaged beyond repair. Walk around your home for a thorough visual inspection. Even tiny cracks can indicate a bigger problem. Rummaging. Is the bottom layer solid, or does it give when you touch it? If there’s more rot under the cracks or distorted portions of your siding, it may be time to call in a professional.
- Blisters or bubbles on your coating If you see blisters or bubbles forming below the surface of your liner, take note! This is a red flag; Bubbles and blisters indicate that water is trapped inside the liner, which means you have a moisture problem. Since siding is supposed to prevent moisture from entering your home, it indicates that it is no longer doing its job.
- Fungus, Mold, or Mildew on Your Siding Watch out for fungus, mold, or other growths on your siding, especially near the seams. These types of substances grow where moisture is available, which means their presence can indicate that water is penetrating the coating. While not all cases of fungus are cause for alarm, they are worth investigating.
- Color coating is very faded When the coating is discolored and severely faded, this is a sure sign that your waterproofing is on its last legs. This doesn’t mean your siding is suddenly useless, but it’s undoubtedly an excellent time to consider upgrading your siding before more severe problems occur.
- Sidewalks that require frequent painting Most homes need new paint every 8 to 10 years. If you have to repaint your house more often than that (say, every 3-6 years), the problem may be something other than the paint but the coating underneath. Peeling or peeling paint strongly indicates that it’s time to replace your siding. Consider siding with a durable, virtually maintenance-free color, such as quality vinyl siding offered by Champion.
- Higher energy bills Many factors can come into play when your energy bills are above average. If you still need to fix your attic leaks, broken windows, and faulty insulation, you should consider whether the siding might be to blame. The primary purpose of siding is to help your home retain heat and cold, insulating it from the elements all year. Old or damaged siding doesn’t protect well, and that will reflect on your energy bill.
- Peeling paint inside your house Sometimes the wrong side outside your home manifests itself inside your home. Have you noticed any loose wallpaper or peeling paint in your home? If moisture finds its way through your siding and your walls, it can cause significant damage to the interior of your home. Wallpaper and paint issues can signify that your siding allows unwanted moisture into your home.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to act. Don’t let your side get worse. Champion is ready to provide you with a free consultation and a complete estimate. At Champion, we offer quality vinyl siding that is lighter, stronger, more impact resistant, easier to clean, and easier to install. Champion’s siding is virtually maintenance-free and is backed by a lifetime warranty†. Do yourself (and your home!) a favor and put new siding at the top of your home improvement agenda this year.