Common Siding Problems
One of the most important things protecting your home is your siding. It’s not the sexiest home renovation project, but it is vitally important. Siding has a lifespan that will vary depending on how it is treated. Here are a few common siding problems.
Pests
Siding is vulnerable to pests, especially wood siding. Pests are one of the most common siding problems. The types of pests range from woodpeckers to carpenter bees. Termites and powder post beetles will both tunnel their way through wood, which limits the protection your wood siding has to offer.
To prevent pests from destroying your siding, use insecticides or hot water in a spray nozzle at 160 to 180 degrees. You can also use eco friendly products of your choosing to eliminate the pests from your yard.
Moisture
Moisture can be a serious issue to your home. It doesn’t matter what kind of siding you are using, it will still become serious if you let it go. The telltale signs of moisture affecting your siding is warping and buckling in the siding. Contact a siding professional to take care of this common siding problem.
Bad Maintenance
Most siding is low maintenance, but that doesn’t mean that you can just ignore your siding. Make sure to have the siding inspected often, especially after severe weather conditions. Problems compound over time and create bigger problems when ignored. With regular maintenance, you can catch the small stuff before it becomes a major issue.
Bad Installation
Make sure any contractor that installs your siding is qualified and experienced. A common siding problem is bad installation. An improper installation can reduce the siding’s lifespan significantly. Make sure to do your research on contractors in your area. Ask neighbors, friends and family for recommendations.
Roof Issues
The quality of your roof impacts the stability of your siding. When your roof begins to fail, your siding starts to fail. Moisture can work its way into worn out shingles and then work its way into the siding, causing damage to the under structures. Make sure your roof is properly and regularly inspected so your siding lifespan stays long.
Weather
We live in the Midwest, we know about storms. Hail doesn’t have to be huge to ruin your siding. Any debris that makes contact with your siding in high winds will make its mark. Severe winter weather also takes its toll on siding as ice turns to water, gets into small cracks, and freezes again. This creates significant damage over time. Check your siding and roof for signs of damage and be sure to call a professional after any bad storms.
Fading
Ultraviolet light will eventually cause discoloration on siding. This makes for an inconsistent appearance. Siding manufacturers have been working on creating products that are resistant to fading due to sunlight exposure, hopefully making this siding problem history.
Loud Siding
Your siding is not supposed to be noisy. However, when it is not properly installed, it will make noise as the wind goes over it. It will also make noise when the temperature fluctuates and the siding expands and contracts. The problem is usually that the contractor installed the siding too tightly. This is another reason to make sure you have a good company working on your siding.
Common Siding Problems By Siding Type
Different types of siding have different types of problems. We explore them by siding type below.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is the most cost effective type of siding today. It does come with issues though. Some things to look for are:
- Warping and Buckling – Heat and cold causes vinyl to expand and correct. If installed properly, it will adjust according to the temperature and reduce the probability of it warping and buckling. If installed improperly, it has no mobility and won’t allow for the expansion during hot or cold temperatures.
- Releasing Toxins at High Temperatures – Most vinyl siding is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which contacts a host of toxic chemicals, like dioxin and lead. These toxins aren’t a worry unless exposed to high heat. This doesn’t occur via exposure to sunlight, but will happen in the event of a house fire.
- Excessive Noise – Excessive noise is usually associated with vinyl siding. Loose fitting siding will flap in the wind, which causes significant noise. Weather fluctuations will also cause vinyl siding to make noise.
Wood Siding
Cedar is most preferred for wood siding. Here are some of the issues wood siding can face:
- Moisture – Even the most carefully installed wood siding will be impacted by moisture over time. It is one of the biggest problems with wood siding. Make sure to get regular inspections by a professional to treat any moisture damage to make your wood siding last.
- Pests – Wood siding is very vulnerable to pests. Woodpeckers target cedar siding, which is highly prized to them. Woodpeckers have been known to drill holes in siding. They generally target the seam between planks. They can go as deep as your insulation when digging for food. Other pests include termites and carpenter ants and bees. Termites tunnel up from the wood underground and can attack your siding. Use whatever you use for pest solutions to curb this problem.
- Wood Warping – Most woods are resistant to warping. Especially if you have unseasoned wood, the wood can shrink which causes the warping. Another issue that causes warping is when the siding is nailed too tightly. When it has been nailed too tightly, it won’t expand or contract properly as it heats and cools.
Cement Siding
Cement siding is a popular choice, because it has many design options. It is a durable form of siding but it does come with it’s own set of issues.
- Not Environmentally Friendly – Cement siding is not environmentally friendly. It contains harmful ingredients like carbon black and crystalline silica, which are both carcinogens.
- Not Energy Efficient – Cement siding is not energy efficient either. Wood and vinyl siding are both more energy efficient. If you go with cement siding, you can expect higher utility bills.
- Difficult to Install – Because it is heavier than other siding products, cement is more difficult to transport, handle, and install. Because of this, labor costs can be higher. The material can also break easily while being handled, which can lead to cost overruns.
It is so important to make sure you have a qualified siding expert installing anything on your home. These common siding problems can happen to anyone, but they’ll happen less with a siding expert on your side. Make sure to give us a call at 636-699-0449 so we can give you a free estimate on your home.