When it comes to keeping your house protected and visually appealing, the two most important components that come to mind are the roof and the siding. Siding is designed to keep the walls of the house protected from the ever-changing weather conditions. Meanwhile, the color and pattern of the siding helps in enhancing the aesthetics of the house. When you are aware of the deteriorating condition of your siding, you can take measures to fix the siding or replace it.
What are some siding issues that you should look for this winter?
#1 Look For Holes And Dents On The Siding
Winters are usually very harsh for your siding and roof. The siding has to bear the brunt of winter storms, hailstones, snowfall, and strong winds that bring a lot of debris. These things can cause holes and leave big dents on the surface of your siding. If the holes and dents are small, they can be repaired easily. But if the holes are significantly large, you need to get the siding replaced before it’s too late. Such siding issues can let cold air enter the house, and heat will escape. This will have an impact on the utility bills.
#2 Look For Severe Water Leak Issues In The Siding
During winter, you should look for signs of water leakage in the walls and ceiling inside your house. If the siding is not in proper condition, you could notice water stains on the walls. Besides, you can also observe melted snow dripping from the side walls. This is a sign that your siding is damaged beyond repair. When the cold water seeps inside the house, it can lower the overall temperature of the house. It becomes difficult to live inside a house that is freezing. Such issues also have an impact on the structural integrity of the home. You should inspect the house and keep an eye on any such issues related to water leak issues in the siding.
#3 Are There Any Cracks On The Siding?
If you live in an extremely cold weather area, you might be aware of the impact of the thaw cycle on the siding. Due to the expansion and contraction of ice, the siding can develop cracks on the surface. In the initial stage, the cracks are small, but if you delay the repair for long, it can easily become a huge problem. If you have vinyl and wood siding, then it will easily break during winter. Therefore, you should look for such cracks in the siding and get repairs done.
#4 Rotting And Corrosion In The Siding
During winter, you should look for signs of rotting and corrosion. Due to excessive snowfall, the siding is always in constant contact with moisture and water. This can lead to the rotting of your siding. You can conduct a siding inspection and look for signs of corrosion. Moisture content can negatively impact the siding and lead to major damages in the siding. It will eat up the material from inside, and the damage will likely be beyond repair. Furthermore, consistent moisture in the siding can lead to the growth of mold and mildew.
#5 You Observe Pieces Missing From The Siding
This is one of the simplest ways to identify issues with the siding. Due to strong winter winds, the panels of the siding lose strength and become loose. Sometimes the pieces of the siding come off from the walls and go missing. The missing siding pieces can expose the house to harsh weather conditions during winter. Heavy winds can blow off major parts of the siding and leave your home in a vulnerable situation.
Summary:
When you are aware of siding issues, you should get them fixed immediately. If the issues are small, you can manage them on your own. But if the damages are beyond your control, you need the help of professionals. Get in touch with the professionals from SMC Construction to get your siding inspected by their experts and replaced if needed. Call 763-300-5519 for more information.