When siding is damaged, moisture can get into your home. This leads to rot, mold, and other serious problems.
Charleston Siding Repair saves money and keeps your home looking good. It also helps prevent small problems from snowballing into bigger ones. If you notice a problem with your cladding, don’t delay repairs.
Sagging siding can lead to wood rot, mold and mildew, and water leaks. A few simple repairs will prevent costly damage.
Inspect your vinyl siding frequently for damage. Look for cracked, chipped or missing pieces. Look also for warped or bubbling panels that are a sign of extreme heat or weather damage. Gaps in the vinyl are another problem that can leave your home exposed to rainwater and other elements.
Cracks and holes in the siding can allow opportunistic insects, such as termites and carpenter ants, to get inside your home. If they do, it’s only a matter of time before they chew through the insulation and cause structural problems.
Loose or cracked siding should be repaired right away. The gaps created will allow rainwater to seep in and may lead to dry rot and structural damage to the house’s structure. If you have insurance, a contractor can help you navigate the process to maximize your compensation for necessary repair or replacement.
Depending on the severity of the damaged area, you may need to replace the entire panel. This is generally easier to do than repairing a small area. Start by using a flat pry bar to slide behind the panel and between the locking tab and wall. The nails used to hold the panel are usually roofing tacks, which can be removed with a hammer or nail set. Carefully cut a piece of replacement vinyl siding that is four inches wider on each side than the panel you’re removing, so there are two-inch overlaps to prevent moisture from getting into the space between the new and existing panels.
The caulk that seals the gap between the siding and the wall is also important. If it’s cracked, shrinking or discolored, that’s a good sign that the caulk is starting to fail and that you need to do some repairs. Water that gets in between the caulk and the siding can cause rotting, water damage, and mold or mildew.
A rise in your heating and cooling bills is an indication that your siding needs some repair work. If your cladding is damaged, it will no longer provide the insulation that it once did, resulting in higher energy costs to maintain your home’s temperature.
Repairing Ditches and Holes
These holes and divots may seem minor, but if left unchecked they can lead to moisture, bugs and other issues. Whether it’s from rain, melting gas grills that are too close to your house or burrowing insects, it’s important to address them promptly to safeguard the integrity of your siding.
Luckily, small dings and holes that are less than an inch in size are pretty easy to fix. Load a caulking gun with waterproof caulk and apply a bead to the affected area, then use a putty knife to smooth it. Let it dry and paint it a color that matches your siding.
When it comes to bigger divots and holes, the best way to go about them is to simply replace the damaged piece of siding. First, use a utility knife to cut out the old piece, being careful not to damage the building paper underneath. Use a zip tool to unlock the bottom lip of the new piece and then slide it in place, leaving only the nailed top portion in place (if applicable). If there are nails holding the old section in place, remove them with a pry bar.
Next, sand the edges of the new panel with 120-grit sandpaper to knock down any splinters and create a good surface for filler. Mix epoxy wood filler according to the directions on the container. Once it’s mixed, apply a thin coat of filler with a plastic putty knife, then smooth and let it dry. If you’re able to find a matching color, it’s easy enough to cover the repair with a coat of paint that blends in.
For siding that has been exposed to rot due to being too close to concrete or a foundation wall, you may need to replace the rotting rows of siding with new material. In that case, it’s a good idea to call in a pro for the job as it is usually a lot more involved than just repairing or replacing one or two panels.
Another sign that it’s time to call in a professional is when you see any signs of mold on your vinyl siding. Mold requires moisture to thrive, which means that it can cause serious structural problems if not addressed immediately. The cost of mold remediation can also be expensive, but a siding specialist will likely want to take a closer look at the area before quoting a price for the work.
Replacing Damaged Areas
If a section of siding becomes severely damaged, it may need to be replaced. Depending on the size and extent of the damage, this is often best done by a professional, but it can be an affordable DIY project.
In addition to making a house look less appealing, damaged siding also allows water and other outside elements inside, which can lead to mildew growth, mold, and rot in the wood and other parts of the home’s structure. It also decreases a home’s energy efficiency, which can result in high utility bills.
Small divots and holes under an inch in diameter are usually easy to repair and can be completed in a matter of minutes. Use a caulking gun to load a bead of waterproof caulk and fill the hole, smoothing it out carefully before allowing it to dry. For larger dents, use foil tape and a piece of new siding to cover the gap. Cut the patch so that it extends a few inches past the existing siding to create a seamless edge, and then slide it into place to cover the damaged area.
It’s important to make sure that the area is clean and free of debris before beginning any work on siding repair or replacement. It’s also a good idea to put on gloves and eye protection, and clear away any obstacles such as fallen branches or leaves that could become tangled in the ladder.
Replacing a small area of cladding will be less expensive than repairing or replacing an entire wall, but if it’s rotten or otherwise damaged, the whole panel will need to be removed and replaced. Professional help is best if you have major siding issues that require significant repair or replacement, such as a large section of deteriorated siding after a storm.
If your siding is aging, it may need to be replaced entirely rather than repaired and painted. However, this isn’t always necessary, and it will depend on the condition of the rest of your siding, your budget, and how attractive you want your home to be. A reputable local contractor can give you an estimate and recommendations for the best type of siding for your home.
Repainting
Over time, wood dries out and becomes vulnerable to moisture. Cracks may develop in the surface of the board and create long thin spaces for water or insects to infiltrate. These areas need to be repaired and, in most cases, repainted to maintain the integrity of your home’s barriers.
Your contractor will take a close look at the cracks and determine the best method for repair. Sometimes a simple patch of caulk is enough; other times it may require replacing the damaged siding piece along with the building paper and flashing that hold it in place. This is often a good opportunity to examine what’s beneath the old siding, as well. Moisture damage underneath your siding often means there’s an underlying problem with the framing of your house. This is also when your contractor will examine the area for signs of mold and mildew.
Small holes and dents in your siding can be repaired by using wood filler or epoxy putty that is colored to match the unpainted area of your home’s boards. Use a putty knife to apply the compound, smoothing it as you go, and let it dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once it’s fully cured, you can paint over it with exterior paint that matches your siding shade.
For larger holes, your siding contractor will cut a piece of new siding to be a patch. They will then attach it to the existing siding by applying foil tape to the back of the new board, locking it in place, and then filling in the gap with caulk that matches your home’s siding shade. This method is often less expensive than replacing entire pieces of siding, and it ensures that your home’s barrier against moisture stays intact.
If you’re concerned about the state of your siding, contact a local cladding contractor for a free estimate. They will be able to tell you how much the job is likely to cost, and they can provide a detailed timeline that breaks down when the work will happen. In the meantime, you can prepare your property by clearing a path, mowing the lawn, trimming bushes and hedges, and removing pictures or other decorations from exterior walls to prevent them from falling during the process.