The prime reason for employing a siding is to prevent the exterior from getting exposed to elements, and harsh weather, reducing heat loss and combining the facade. So, in this article, we will learn how to inspect your siding.
Popular sidings first!
Wood siding
Decaying wood and blistering paint is common in wood sidings. Paints protect the wood from any possible damage and are noticeable if peeling off.
And apart from being noticeable, if the paint has lead, it can violate the maintenance code of your city. It is also an environmental hazard. Peeling paint is dangerous, but how do you inspect your siding and find if there is a prominent issue?
Give attention to areas where water concentrates. You can overlook the locations having huge soffits as they are generally moisture free. Focus on the areas below the roof ends with misplaced kick-out flashing or below the bay window. These areas require a closer look. Minor impairments like holes can also ruin the sidings and their functions.
When siding is decaying in several areas, the chances that the wall behind is rotting are high. Hence the best option is to remove the shingles and check the wall. And you can also hire experts for the moisture detection test.
Stucco siding
Often the latest stucco sidings can create more problems than the old ones. The list includes concerns like stains below the windows or neighboring areas. You can witness similar situations on walls too.
They require a closer look but are not necessarily a problem. While you inspect your siding, also check for moisture. We have seen that water damages encountered with stucco sidings are much worse.
You can experience water intrusion with any sidings, but the challenges faced with stucco siding are more extensive and expensive.
And if you are already in a stucco house but don’t want to face heavy repair bills, do exterior probe testing. It can save you from future issues. This testing requires you to drill a hole at a calculated point and install a moisture probe in it. It will help you know if there are any moisture-related concerns.
Vinyl siding
Vinyl sidings are water-resistant as they protect the underlying material from rain. But slowly, you will realize they are not waterproof. These sidings are supposed to get installed on resistive water barriers.
We have seen people misunderstand these sidings. They skip the part of installing gutters or drains. But things get worse.
Simple impairments caused by baseball, rocks, hail, and weed trimmers are easily perceptible. And these nominal damages can ruin the entire look of the sidings. Eventually, the house looks bashed up.
Homes with this siding also encounter water leaks, but there is no visible evidence of such intrusions on this siding. But the water damage on vinyl siding isn’t as expensive as the stucco siding. Vinyl is easy to pull apart and put back together. You don’t need any tools to check the moisture.
Vinyl sidings can get deformed if the temperature rises a lot. The sidings get sabotaged if the sunlight reflects on them through any window. Do you love keeping your grills on the patio? In some houses, vinyl siding melts in the patio area because of the heat of the grills. Place your grills at least 7 feet away from sidings.
Stone siding
Generally installed in the front of the house, these sidings have the same moisture problems as stucco. And detecting any moisture presence is challenging. They require a thorough moisture test. Most times, homeowners are oblivious that their entire wall is getting damaged behind these sidings.
There are many defects while installing the stone siding. Inaccurate vertical transition, wrong vent penetration, the clearance above the roof covering, and faulty faucet installation are a few of them. These installation faults can also ruin your walls. If you have already installed this sliding, you can either test them yourself or hire professionals to inspect the moisture and the installation.
Hardboard siding
Hardboard siding, also known as masonite, is wooden siding and lasts up to 30 years. And it is genuinely easy to spot damaged hardboard siding because they start to look impaired.
Hardboards in many houses get damaged due to continuous water splashing or another siding installed quite close.
They start to rot from the lower side. If there are a few damaged pieces, you can repair them, but if there are many damaged sidings, then it is time to replace them.
These are the few tips that you can follow and check your sidings for any visible damage present in the sidings. And if you need a professional inspection for your sidings, then we are here!