Siding is your home's armor. When it begins to fail, it can compromise your home's structural integrity and lead to skyrocketing energy bills. Here are the top 5 signs that indicate you need a siding replacement immediately.
1. Cracked or Warped Boards
Do a visual inspection of your home. If you notice boards that are visibly warped, cracking, or rotting, the siding is no longer protecting your home from the elements. Moisture is likely seeping underneath.
2. Peeling Paint or Wallpaper Inside the House
Believe it or not, failing exterior siding often manifests inside your home. If moisture is penetrating your siding, it will eventually reach your interior walls, causing paint or wallpaper to peel.
3. Fungus, Mold, or Mildew Growth
Any type of fungal growth, especially near the seams of your siding, indicates that moisture is being held against the house. While not all mold means the siding is ruined, it's a major red flag that warrants an inspection.
4. Skyrocketing Heating or Cooling Bills
If your energy bills have spiked significantly without an obvious reason (like a rate increase or extreme weather), your siding may have lost its insulating properties. Upgrading to modern siding can greatly improve your home's energy efficiency.
5. Fading and High Maintenance
If your siding needs to be painted every few years to look decent, it's losing its waterproofing. New siding materials, like HardiePlank or premium vinyl, require minimal maintenance and hold their color for decades.