Given how vinyl siding manufacturers praise the product, it is worth noting that it doesn’t last forever. Over time, it will experience wear and tear despite being built to last forever. Besides, there is unpredictable weather, which can be too harsh for the vinyl siding. Common vinyl siding damages include weathering, cracking, and chipping. So, should you bother replacing it upon noticing these changes? The answer is a resounding yes, although you can ask experts such as Homebuddy.com to be sure. The professionals may suggest other remedies, such as repairing or replacing, but you can’t afford to ignore what’s ideal unless you understand it. So, why does vinyl siding need to be replaced once a need arises? Read on to find out.
Photo by Katie Wasserman on Unsplash
Importance of Replacing Your Vinyl Siding
Let’s delve into our million-dollar question and answer it in detail. Why does vinyl siding need to be replaced? There is more than one reason, including the following;
It would be best to replace vinyl siding since a damaged one allows easy access to pests into your home. It is no secret that you should avoid the infestation at all costs.
One of the advantages of vinyl siding is that it insulates your house. Unfortunately, that’s impossible if it has cracks and gaps, hence the need to replace it to boost its effectiveness.
Cracks on your vinyl siding can also cause moisture to seep into your home. The list of the damages that moisture can do to your home is long. To make matters worse, consider how expensive the fixes can be. Therefore, replacing your vinyl siding as soon as it becomes necessary is advisable.
The bottom line is that damage to the vinyl siding will compromise its effectiveness. Therefore, it won’t protect one’s home from various elements that endanger it. For instance, water damage can occur under such circumstances.
Insulating your home also becomes problematic, if not impossible. After all, cool air can’t stay inside your house during summer, and heated air can’t stay inside once winter comes. It means you must stay uncomfortably as your home becomes too hot or too cold. Alternatively, your cooling or heating bill will increase drastically.
When Does the Vinyl Siding Need To Be Replaced?
There are some indicators to watch out for to understand when to replace the vinyl siding. Some of the signs include the following;
Photo by form PxHere
Increasing Utility Bills
It is no secret that vinyl siding insulates your walls. Consequently, you don’t need much energy to cool or heat your home. It means the utility bills will be relatively low as long as the vinyl siding is in good shape. The vice versa is also true, and that’s why high utility bills are a sign of a need to replace it. To fix that, one needs to fix the loose, warped, worn or damaged vinyl siding. Otherwise, it will jeopardize your home’s energy efficiency.
Broken or Warped Vinyl Siding Boards
When only specific boards are damaged, replacing them may be easy and cheap. After all, you can’t compare what’s needed with the materials and labor necessary to replace your home’s vinyl siding. Regardless, fixing broken or warped boards as soon as possible is essential. Such damages are usually a result of hail storms, ice, and strong winds. So, if your area of residence is prone to such cases, you must check your vinyl siding often. Equally important, replace it as soon as you notice the problem.
Photo by form PxHere
Fading Vinyl Siding
The location of vinyl siding makes it experience exposure to harsh weather elements. The most common ones are UV radiation, ice, snow, and rain. It explains why your vinyl siding will start fading as time goes by. None of the various colors of different vinyl siding boards is immune to fading over time. If the fade becomes conspicuous, it is high time you replace it. Besides compromising your home’s aesthetics, it indicates that the vinyl siding won’t last long. So, why wait for more severe damages when you can replace it on time?
Holes on the Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding may not withstand other external threats despite being flexible and durable. An excellent example is pests such as insects and rodents. Therefore, you may find holes in your vinyl siding if squirrels, rats, mice, termites, beetles, or ants attack. That’s because the siding is hard to serve its purpose excellently with the holes in it. Sometimes, repairs can work as long as you seal the gaps and holes. However, when the damage is severe, your only option is to replace the affected boards or the entire vinyl siding, depending on your situation.
Rot on Wood Underneath
First, it is worth noting that the vinyl siding doesn’t rot, thanks to its design. Nonetheless, that’s not a property that the wood underneath possesses. So, what happens if the siding has gaps, cracks, or holes? Moisture seeps in, thus reaching the wood underneath, and it can rot easily under such circumstances. So, you can replace it to avoid such consequences. Besides rotting, moisture can lead to warped boards and mold. Exterior boards become loose, interior paint peels off, or the vinyl panels will crack. So, do you see why vinyl siding needs to be replaced immediately?
Photo by form PxHere
Conclusion
Why does vinyl siding need to be replaced? The answer to that answer is as clear as the day following the above discussion. If the siding isn’t in good shape, don’t expect to enjoy its benefits fully. From inadequate insulation to pest invasion, many things make replacing your vinyl siding important. It would be best if you prioritized it to avoid such an ordeal. Remember that replacing it properly is equally important. So, look for experts such as HomeBuddy to ensure that. You don’t want to replace your vinyl siding more frequently than necessary. That’s why you can’t afford to get it wrong when choosing a contractor. Fortunately, it is also easy to tell when the siding needs a replacement. Fading, holes, rot, breakage, and warping are some of them. High utility bills could also indicate the same. So, you should be keen.