When you’re a homeowner, you know how important it is to maintain your property. Keeping the exterior appearance of your home is vital to protect the structure and is essential for curb appeal and home value.

When considering whether or not your vinyl siding needs to be replaced, it is helpful to understand and know the signs of damage. If you have damaged vinyl siding, ignoring it will only cost you more money and headaches later.

6 Warning Signs Your Vinyl Needs Attention

We put together some helpful tips for inspecting your vinyl siding for damage. To be safe, however, we always recommend contacting a reputable local siding company to conduct a proper inspection. Then you will have adequate knowledge about vinyl siding replacement and what is involved.

Here are the six things to look for:

  1. Energy Costs Rising. If you have noticed an increased energy bill of late, your old vinyl siding may be the culprit. Properly sealed siding keeps the climate controlled inside the home and the weather out. When it isn’t doing that job properly, your HVAC must work harder to maintain the interior temperature.
  2. Fading. The longer your vinyl siding is on your home, the weaker the color appears. If it has been on the house for decades, you may be shocked at how different it is from the original color.

UV rays cause color damage and can also make your siding very brittle. When this happens, cracked vinyl is sure to follow, compromising the energy-savings benefit.

  1. Mold. Even though you may not see mold damage on the exterior vinyl, old siding can still allow mold to enter the home. If you notice water damage inside your home or see mold forming, it could be compromised vinyl on the exterior.
  2. Water Damage. Cracked vinyl siding can easily allow water to enter the home. If you live in an area where humidity is high or severe storms are common, this will eventually happen with compromised or damaged vinyl. When water enters the home, it causes untold damage over time.
  3. Warping. If you notice wavy vinyl, bubbles, or distortion, your vinyl is severely compromised. Warping robs you of any energy-saving benefit the siding gave you as a homeowner. It also detracts significantly from the beauty of your property.
  4. Pests. If you can see invasive insects crawling around your siding, look closer. Use a flashlight to inspect under the siding. You may find that insects have made a home underneath the siding shingles. If this happens, it’s only a matter of time before they invade the inside of the house.

Replacing Old Vinyl & the Costs

Many factors determine the cost of replacing your vinyl siding:

  •       Home size
  •       Weather protection requirements
  •       Style & Brand
  •       Thickness

But as a property owner looking to protect your investment, consider this: is it worth ignoring the problem of damaged siding when it could cost you more in repairs, lost energy savings, and lower home value later?

Find Out More About Vinyl Siding Replacement

The professional team at Northwest Exteriors is here to assist you with more information about replacing your vinyl siding or scheduling a siding inspection and quote. Contact us today!