That broken siding panel you have may be causing more damage to your home than you think. A deteriorating home siding is not only unappealing but can also cause numerous problems for the exterior and interior of your home. Your siding is designed to protect your home from several weather conditions and needs to be properly maintained to keep your home clear of rot and other damage.
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Mold and Mildew
As your home siding starts to age, it will lose its ability to keep out water and moisture. Water that seeps behind the siding can start to form into mold and mildew. The mold spores will eventually spread if not caught early, resulting in a wide array of damage. Removal can be dangerous and will require an expert, costing you more money than you may have bargained for.
Moisture Penetration
If you are finding bubbles on the outside of your home and loose wallpaper or peeling paint on the inside, it may be a sign that your siding is allowing moisture to penetrate into your home. The sooner you address the problem, the less you will have to spend in costly repairs.
Dry Rot
Wood Siding panels work great against extreme climates and intense winds. But over time they can begin to have issues with water damage and salinity. If the panels have become soft or warped, it may be a sign of dry rot. Dry rot is caused by a fungus that grows in moist conditions. They act to digest the wood fibres that provide strength and then move on to a fresh area. If not repaired and quickly replaced the fungus can spread to more of your siding causing wide-spread damage.
Holes
Weak siding panels make a perfect home for burrowing insects. If you start to notice holes in your panels, you may have an insect infestation. Replacing your siding should help alleviate any future inspect problems and prevent them from causing structural damage.
Excessive Heating And Cooling Costs
The exterior siding acts also to insulate your home, keeping your heating and cooling costs in check. Once it starts deteriorating, you will often notice a rapid increase in your utility bills due to energy loss. If you don’t replace your siding, you won’t be getting the full insulation benefits and will be simply wasting your hard-earned money.
Your siding works to protect your house from fierce winds and water. It also works to lower your energy bills and will impact the curb appeal of your home, for better or for worse. So if you’re asking why you should replace your siding, just remember each of these factors that can end up costing you much more than that replacement.
