Think of your home’s siding as protective armor. It’s the first line of defense against invasive pests and the ravages of inclement weather.
And while it can last for a good, long time, the fact is — exterior siding doesn’t last forever.
But how do you know when to replace siding? Are there signs to watch for to let you know your siding is past its prime?
We give you the warning signs to look for when it comes to when to replace siding and let you know who to call for siding replacement in Clark County and the Portland Metro.
Table of Contents
- 8 Warning Signs That It’s Time To Replace Your Siding
- When Is the Best Time To Replace Siding?
- Elite Home Exteriors: Siding Installation Professionals Trained To Get Your Siding Back in Tip-top Shape
8 Warning Signs That It’s Time To Replace Your Siding
#1: It Is Soft or Spongy
Soft, spongy siding is never a good sign.
When you notice your siding “gives” when you apply pressure, you can be fairly certain that water has seeped into your siding. Water can also penetrate through your siding to the wood beyond and cause stains or the swelling of the sheetrock inside your home.
This is why it is always a good idea to perform regular inspections of the exterior and interior of your home, particularly after a storm.
#2: It Is Rotting, Bulging, or Warping
If your siding is warping, rotting, or bulging, it is time to consider replacing it.
An easy way to test for rot is to gently insert a screwdriver under the siding boards along your gutters or chimney. If the underlying area is soft, it indicates significant rotting that cannot be repaired.
Another way to check the integrity of your siding is by tapping the handle of a screwdriver on the outside of the siding. If the siding sounds hollow, crumbles, or splits, you may be dealing with dry rot, another sign that it is time to replace your home’s siding.
#3: There Is Peeling Paint
Under normal conditions, your home’s wood siding should maintain its color and shape for eight to ten years.
If you find your paint is fading or peeling before that time, it is probably a sign to replace your siding.
If it goes unchecked, peeling paint will allow moisture to absorb into your wooden siding, saturating the protective layer beneath. Not only does this damage your exterior siding, but it can also penetrate through to the inside walls of your home, causing extensive and expensive damage.
#4: It Is Damaged
Your siding can suffer damage from a variety of different sources. Things like …
- Storms
- Wind
- Insects, such as termites or carpenter ants
- Falling limbs; or
- A stray baseball
… can cause holes or cracks in your home’s siding.
Even if they are small, cracks and holes can lead to big problems by allowing moisture, in the form of rain or snow, to get underneath, causing mold and mildew to grow.
Holes also create easy entrances for insects or other pests to work their way behind the siding and cause significant damage to the interior walls of your home.
Are you wondering when to replace the siding on your home? Contact the James Hardie ELITE Preferred Contractors at Elite Home Exteriors today for a free consultation.
#5: An Increase in Your Heating and Cooling Bills
Have you noticed your heating or cooling bills creeping higher and higher? It may be a sign that your siding has outlived its functionality and needs to be replaced.
Old or damaged siding no longer provides an adequate level of insulation. So instead of keeping the heat and air inside your home where it belongs, the faulty siding allows it to penetrate right on through to the exterior — and nobody wants to spend their hard-earned money to heat or cool the Great Outdoors.
Replacing your siding can be a great way to significantly reduce your energy usage and lower your electric bills.
#6: There Is Mold or Mildew
If you see anything growing on the exterior of your home, chances are likely it is time to replace your siding.
Growth may appear in many forms, including:
- Fungus
- Mold
- Algae; or
- Mildew
These are external signs that moisture is being trapped beneath the siding or penetrating through cracks.
And the problem doesn’t just stop with the external damage. Mold and mildew can easily seep into the walls of your home, causing the need for costly repairs.
#7: There Is Severe Fading
If your siding is beginning to lose its color or is already severely faded, it is time to consider replacing it.
While minimal fading might not be a big deal, severe fading may be a sign that the weatherproofing is becoming weak or is wearing off, which is a sure indication that it is time for new siding.
#8: The Maintenance Is Becoming Too Much
Are you finding yourself constantly having to maintain your exterior siding? If so, it is probably time to replace it.
Often, when the need for siding maintenance increases, homeowners feel discouraged and may forgo much-needed repairs. This, however, can cause serious problems, particularly if the waterproofing is compromised and the wood structure underneath becomes damaged.
When Is the Best Time To Replace Siding?
The best time to replace your siding depends on several factors, including:
- Your climate
- The weather; and
- Your budget
The important thing to remember is that if you notice your electric bills increasing or spot any type of damage to your siding, such as …
- Fading
- Cracking
- Mold or mildew
- Peeling paint
- Rotting
- Warping; or
- Bulging
… it is time to consider replacing your siding.
Elite Home Exteriors: Siding Installation Professionals Trained To Get Your Siding Back in Tip-Top Shape
Replacing your home’s siding is a huge undertaking — and the professionals at Elite Home Exteriors can help.
At Elite Home Exteriors, we work with all types of exterior siding and all types of structures. And as James Hardie ELITE Preferred Contractors, you can rest assured that your siding will be installed properly and will last for years to come.
Let us help you decide what is right for you and your home or office. We’ll provide you with our best recommendations with honesty and transparency every step of the way.
Contact the experienced team at Elite Home Exteriors today for your free consultation and estimate.