Your home’s siding doesn’t last forever. Well-performing siding helps ensure that your house stays in the best condition possible. Most importantly, your home’s siding protects your home from the elements – insulating it against extreme cold and heat, inclement weather, debris and pests.
So what happens when your siding begins to fade, crack or show other signs of disrepair? Watch out for these five common indicators from the residential roofing experts at Universal Roofing & Exteriors to help you understand what to look for:
1. Excessive Maintenance
Are you having to paint your siding more often? Exterior paint should last at least 8 to 10 years. Chipping, peeling, or cracking paint on the siding is one of the first signs of decay. If your paint is only lasting five to six years, it may indicate a problem with your current siding.
2. Damaged Siding
Holes and cracks can lead to big problems, allowing rain and snow to get into and underneath the siding. Repairing this damage can be labor-intensive and costly, especially if insects and/or moisture reach your home’s structural framework.
3. Siding Rot
Walk around your home for a thorough visual inspection. Even small cracks could point to a larger problem. Poke around. Is the layer beneath solid, or does it give way if you touch it? If there’s more rot beneath the cracked or warped portions of your siding, it might be time to call in a roof repair professional.
4. Pests Have Caused Damage
If you find pest damage or evidence of pests, such as weak siding or holes, it’s time to replace your siding. Without proper attention, pests can spread to other areas of the home, hollowing out the siding and weakening its structural integrity. It’s best to stop this damage from occurring with new siding.
5. Higher energy bills
Many factors can be at play when your energy bills soar beyond the norm. The main purpose of siding is to help your home retain heat and cold, insulating it from the elements year-round. Old or damaged siding doesn’t insulate well, and that is reflected in your energy bill.
Universal Roofing & Exteriors specializes in many different types of roof and siding. We’re proud to work with a premier provider of fiber cement products in James Hardie Industries that has been at the forefront of the siding industry for over 20 years and we’re honored to carry the distinction of being a James Hardie Preferred Remodeler.
Call us at (317) 257-0779 or fill out our convenient online contact form to set up a time to meet with you at your home or business for a free, no-obligation consultation. We serve clients in Indiana including Zionsville and Carmel.
