5 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Home's Siding
Replacing the siding on your home can be a real headache that nobody wants to deal with. Trust us, we’ve been there before. Unfortunately, there comes a time when replacing your siding is unavoidable, and when that time comes you want to be absolutely sure that it’s completely necessary.
So how exactly does the layperson homeowner know when it’s time to replace the siding on their home? As it happens, there are some clear indications that something is wrong that anyone should be able to spot. Let’s take a look at 5 signs that it’s time to replace your home’s siding.
Your Energy Bill has Increased
While there are many factors that can contribute to higher energy costs, degraded siding will eventually lead to an increased energy bill. As mentioned previously, the siding on your home acts as a barrier against the elements. One of the most significant ways in which it acts as a barrier is through insulation. Your siding helps your home stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Insufficient insulation has been shown to increase energy expenses in buildings2 as your heating and cooling systems will have to work much harder to maintain a desirable internal climate.
Increased energy bills due to compromised insulation in your home’s siding will end up costing you a whole lot of money over time, so the cost of siding replacement is easily justified.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew aren’t just icky to look at, they’re an incredibly destructive infestation that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Mold especially has been linked to a host of health problems in people including elevated risk of asthma in children.3 If left unchecked, mold will continue to spread across your home’s exterior and will eventually find its way inside where it can become potentially life threatening and may incur condemnation from your municipality.4
Don’t waste any more time than you have to agonizing over whether or not your siding needs to be replaced. If it has been compromised, it needs to be replaced, which will save you money and stress in the long run. If you have any questions about replacing the siding of your home, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
The Siding is Broken
Let’s start with the easiest indication. If you’re able to spot places in your siding that are rotting, cracked, or warped, this is the clearest sign that you will need to have it replaced. Damaged siding is not just a cosmetic problem, the exterior walls of your home act as a barrier against the elements. When that barrier is broken, all kinds of potentially catastrophic damage can occur, including wood rot, pest infestation, and mold growth. Damaged siding will also negatively affect your home’s value1 so it’s something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Your Home Needs Frequent Painting
All things being equal, your house only needs to be painted every 7-10 years.5 If you’re noticing that your paint begins to peel, blister, or crack after only a couple of years, this is a strong indicator that your siding’s got to go. As your siding ages or is damaged, it will begin to absorb more ambient moisture which will interfere with the paint’s ability to properly bond with the siding material. If your paint is unable to do its job properly, this means that your siding is also not doing its job.
If you find yourself having to paint your house every 3-6 years, this is a clear sign that your siding is no longer effective and must be replaced.
Paint is peeling inside your home
This may seem a bit counterintuitive, but if you aren’t due for interior painting and you notice that it has begun to crack, chip, or peel this could indicate that your siding is not working properly. Remember this: Trapped moisture is the enemy of interior paint. You may have noticed that the paint in your bathrooms seems to go bad more quickly than in other rooms. This is due to the increased humidity from the shower. Likewise, if paint in other rooms is peeling prematurely, this could very well mean that your siding has been compromised and his letting in ambient moisture. If this is the case, the siding should be replaced ASAP.
