5 Signs of Siding Problems

Friday, November 28th, 2014 by Danny Peterson

Every part of your home requires careful monitoring, from the top of your roof all the way to the bottom of your foundation. There are numerous problems that can negatively affect your home, especially the exterior. When you purchase siding for your residence, you want to ensure that it will protect the building from the elements. The best way to avoid worrisome siding problems is to educate yourself. Here are the five most common signs of potential issues with your siding.

Noise

If your siding starts to detach itself from your house, it can leave wide gaps. The wind can create unpleasant noise as it flows through these gaps, and as it moves the siding pieces further out of position. Many homeowners will notice loud squeaks and clatters during heavy storms that indicate loose siding pieces. The louder the noises, the bigger the issues with the siding.

Flashings

If you install your own siding, you will notice how there are certain flashing trim pieces positioned around the edges of structural elements like doors and windows. Do not forget to secure these flashings during the installation, or else you will end up with damaging leaks and water accumulation. This leads to growth of molds and fungus behind the siding where it’s very difficult to remove.

Mold, algae, and other growths

Mold and other harmful growths can come in a variety of colors and textures. The first signs of mold on siding come in the form of white or gray powder with tiny flecks of black. Mold is most likely to grow on parts of the siding that do not receive enough sunlight and that gather a lot of moisture. Address these problems early and remove any areas that inhibit sunlight from reaching the siding. Trim hedges and cut away shrubs that cast shade on the home. Algae, while not as harmful as mold, can still be damaging. Algae growth is black, brown, or green, and is more frequent in wet and humid climates.

Moisture issues

Most types of siding are meant to create an airtight seal over the external surfaces of a home. Prior to installing siding, it is absolutely crucial that you lay a vapor barrier between it and the actual exterior of your residence. This barrier is designed to hold the moisture away from the house and keeps it from absorbing into the structure. Unfortunately, if the siding is not correctly applied, then there will be major moisture problems.

Warping

The key is to make sure the siding is installed correctly. If it is not done in a proper manner, one of the biggest issues you can face is warping and buckling. People who choose vinyl siding will want to correctly install the panels within the nailing hem, which allow them to expand and contract with temperature variations. Wooden siding works differently and must be nailed tightly to the walls. Want to know if your vinyl siding has been correctly installed? Grab one of the siding panels and try to move it. At most, it should only move about ¼” inch right to left. If you cannot move it at all, then the vinyl is attached too tightly and needs to be loosened. Don’t neglect the siding of your home. Work with your installer to ensure that the panels are correctly placed, or you run the risk of facing large issues in the future. If in doubt, seek assistance from a professional contractor.