How to Know If You Need New Siding on Your Home

Knowing when you need new siding on your home can be hard to tell. Have you been noticing any cracks lately? How about awful odors and smells surrounding your home? A siding problem may seem like a small issue, but it can have serious consequences. Here’s how to know if you need new siding on your home.

1. You haven’t maintained it 
2. Cracking or damaged panels
3. Water damage
4. Rot
5. Your paint is wearing off 
6. Your energy bills are starting to rise
7. Interior damage
8. You plan on selling in a few years

You haven’t maintained it

If you haven’t maintained the siding on your home, it may be time for an upgrade. Over the years, siding can break down and paint can chip away without proper maintenance. Bugs and other critters can get into your siding, reaching that interior wall. Then they can cause havoc, meaning you’ll likely need new siding on your home. Don’t wait. If you aren’t going to get new siding on your home then at least hire someone to maintain that siding. If you haven’t, try maintaining your siding with power washing and other methods based on the materials of your siding.

Cracking or damaged panels

As we mentioned above, your home is susceptible to cracking and damages over the years. This can happen due to a storm or natural weather cycles over many years. if you start to notice damaged siding then you may need new siding on your home. Look for large cracks or missing pieces on the sides of your home. You need to be thorough as even the smallest cracks can easily become huge repairs. Gaps left in siding can lead to materials rotting and leave you vulnerable to insects. Also, even the smallest cracks can let in moisture, so be proactive. If you wait too long to fix small problems, you may need new siding on your home.

Consider cleaning your gutters as well. When your gutters get clogged it can leak water onto your siding and in your walls. So, if you have a couple of small cracks in your siding, but have clogged gutters, damage can grow quite rapidly. Don’t let this happen to you!

Water damage

When water or moisture seeps into your home it can lead to mold and rot. Mold can cause your family to be sick and for your home to start falling apart. You absolutely need a siding replacement if you find this. If left unchecked, mold and other fungi can spread like wildfire, meaning you need new siding for your home. Check for any warping or swelling of wood, or rust on metal beams and bars. If you do spot anything like this, immediately call a professional to assess the damage.

Rot

Any rot that is spotted on the siding of your home should be replaced as soon as possible. Rot not only lets in moisture, but it can leave the integrity of your home vulnerable. Rot is also a sign of larger problems like a damaged roof. Protect your roof, walls, and family by checking for rot on the siding of your home. Look for blistering or bubbling in the siding. Severe cracking can also be a sign of rot as well.  

Your paint is wearing off

Due to age, you may need new siding if your exterior paint is wearing off. This can be a sign that your siding is coming apart and crumbling into smaller pieces. If you have lived in a home for decades, it may be time to put on new siding. You can do this in parts or all in one go, but it will still need to be done either way.

Your bills are starting to rise

If you notice that your A/C and electric bills are starting to rise, it may be due to damage. Oftentimes, this means that the siding is damaged to the point that there is a hole or crack in your interior wall. This allows air to escape. Therefore, your A/C bill starts to rise as it tries to catch up with the escaping air. If you notice a spike in your bills, it may be a good idea to check if you need new siding for your home.

Interior damage

Interior damage can happen in a number of ways. Damage to your roof, siding, and other exterior spots of your home may lead to interior damage on your walls. Check the seams of your siding for any cracks or points of entry. Even a small crack can allow termites or other pests. Water damage usually builds over time, so it pays to check often to catch potential hot spots.

You plan on selling in a few years

If you want to beef up your property value then getting new siding for your home can be a great way to do it. While not the cheapest renovation, it can help you sell an older home. Also, it adds a nice curb appeal which can help sell a home quicker and easier. Think about replacing your siding if you want to sell your home in the near future.

Thinking about whether or not you need new siding for your home? Galaxy Construction and Roofing can help. Whatever your roofing and siding needs, we can tackle it. Contact us today and find out how we can help you!