Should You Repair or Replace Damaged Siding?

For the untrained eye, it can be difficult to determine whether you should repair or replace damaged siding. Choose the wrong option, and you could end up spending too much on unnecessary replacement or inadequately fixing your home exterior. Here’s how to determine whether you need to replace or repair damaged siding.

Siding Repairs

For most situations, repairs are the first resort. This is particularly important if your siding is still within its warranty period. Most types of siding can be repaired without tearing out perfectly good sections. The following are some of the signs that indicate your siding needs repairs.

• Mold – Mold can be removed from siding using household products. However, you have to make sure that the mold is thoroughly cleaned off as it can spread to the exterior wall framing and into your home. In some cases, sections of the siding may need to be removed to allow access to the substrate.

• Chips and cracks – Chipped and cracked siding can make the exterior wall vulnerable to moisture infiltration and, therefore. must be replaced immediately. If the chips and cracks are isolated in one area – perhaps caused by impact damage – then only the affected areas will need to be replaced.

Siding Replacement

Full siding replacement must be done if the problem is too widespread or if repairs will only offer a temporary solution. The following are some indicators that you need new siding.

• Old siding – You can’t expect siding that’s beyond its service life to perform as well as it did when new. Old siding can be easily identified visually, even if well-maintained.

• Blistering and bubbling – Moisture trapped under the surface expands when heated, causing bubbling and blistering. The presence of moisture under the siding’s outer protective coating indicates moisture infiltration that can lead to rot. When replacing your siding, consider it an opportunity to choose an option that’s less vulnerable to moisture damage like vinyl or fiber cement.

• Dry rot – Dry rot is caused by fungi that consumes wood fibers and spreads hair-like roots in the wood. If you notice signs of dry rot, like parts of the siding falling off when tapped, have the siding replaced as soon as possible.

iRestore Stl is one of the most trusted roofing companies serving Edwardsville, IL, and the surrounding communities. Give us a call at (618) 961-9206, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment