5 Signs That You Need Your Home Siding Replaced

Although you might be tempted to think you old home siding doesn't need to be replaced, much of the damage that your siding can take is unseen, which makes problems difficult to notice. And if you don't have the time to scrupulously inspect every inch of your home's exterior (few of us do), it can be hard to know whether your siding is out of date. Thankfully, there are some pretty obvious signs for knowing when to replace your home’s siding.

Repainting

As a rule, you shouldn’t have to repaint your home more often than every nine years. If you find that your paint is chipped or flaking every few years or so, this a good indication that your siding needs replacing. The reason paint fades or wallpaper sags faster with worn siding is because the siding has begun to allow water to seep in under the siding and into your wallboard. 

Presence of Dry Rot

It’s not always easy to spot dry rot, especially if you’re looking at your house from far off. Go around your house gently tap your home’s siding with the bottom of a hammer in order to detect dry rot. This is only necessary for siding made out of wood.

High Heating/Cooling Bill

One of the reasons cooling and heating bills can skyrocket is because your siding has deteriorated to the point that it no longer properly insulates your house. Ask your neighbors if their cooling/heating bills are consistent with yours. If yours is higher than average, make sure you talk to some siding experts about options for installing some highly insulating siding. 

Mold and Mildew

While you walk around the exterior of your home looking for dry rot, be sure to keep an eye out for any signs of water damage. Mold and mildew are sometimes signs that your siding is warped and is allowing water to soak in under the siding. 

Insect Damage

This is one sign that you will definitely want to keep an eye out for. Since insects can do extensive damage without causing the slightest outward indication, if you spot even a tiny hole in your siding, this is cause for alarm. If insects have already gotten through your siding, they might have also done damage to other parts of your home, making necessary repairs extremely costly.

It's easy to ignore your siding (most of us do). But you would be smart to think about replacing your siding earlier rather than later. Chances are it will save you more money on your heating and cooling bills, avoid costly repairs, and keep your home looking nice for years to come.