The siding on your home is one of the most important protective components of your home, and many homeowners begin wondering at one time or another, how they will know when it’s time to replace their Kansas City siding. There is a long list of signs and symptoms that can indicate your siding is at the end of its useful life, but many of those can only be recognized by trained professionals. We’re going to take a look at what common signs the homeowner may be able to see on a simple walk around the exterior of their home.
Signs That Your Kansas City Siding May Need Replacement
Below are some of the most common signs that your siding may need to be replaced soon. This list is far from exhaustive, but it will give some of the signs that can be found without deep investigation or professional inspection.
Peeling & Chipping Paint
Common on wood siding, but also sometimes seen on aluminum or other materials that need periodic maintenance. When a material ages, such as wood, it loses its ability to provide proper adhesion for paint due to a reduction in surface quality. This loss of adhesion can result in peeling, bubbling, chipping, and fading.
In most cases with natural siding materials like wood, you will find that the siding needs to be repainted much more frequently than it should need. Frequent repainting or paint becoming damaged quickly are signs that your siding needs to be replaced relatively soon.
Warping
Warping or deforming in any way is a significant sign that your siding is in poor shape. This can be seen commonly in wood siding that has aged beyond its useful life, as well as in newer siding that has been installed poorly or been damaged, and has allowed water to penetrate behind the siding material.
In some cases, the warping or similar damage that happens to the side is due to damage to the wall behind it. This can happen in badly installed siding, which allows water to get behind it and rot, or warp the wall, pushing existing siding out or otherwise damaging it.
Kansas City Siding: Cracking & Becoming Brittle
Another sign that your siding is about to give up the ghost, is seeing any signs of cracking or brittleness. This happens frequently with older vinyl and steel siding, and once it happens, it indicates the structural integrity of the siding has been damaged and is now failing entirely.
This is commonly seen in siding that is on a south-facing or west-facing wall, where intense sun inflicts UV damage over a period of many years. It’s important to contact a professional as soon as you notice that your siding is cracking or splitting since it now puts your home in imminent danger of water damage. A single KC thunderstorm could put immense quantities of water behind the siding in just a few minutes, where it will soak into the wall and the studs, inflicting more and more damage.
Discoloration
The discoloration is a sign that many siding materials are losing the protective surface they had when they were first installed. Wood siding that is discolored can mean anything from rot to mold, or simply the need for another coat of paint and sealer.
Steel or aluminum siding that is showing signs of discoloration has likely seen significant sun or wind exposure and is now permanently damaged. Siding that is showing deep discoloration should be replaced as soon as possible before it loses its ability to keep the elements out.
Dents & Other Damage
If your siding is covered in dents from hail or other storms, or otherwise damaged, there is a good chance that it needs to be replaced. The best course of action is to contact a professional and have them come out for an inspection and estimate. You may find that your siding is still ok, or they may indicate to you that replacement is needed.
Thermal King Can Be Your Experienced Local Kansas City Siding Partner
Thermal King is a trusted Kansas City siding contractor, and we have what it takes to implement the right materials and install them correctly. If you have questions about your Kansas City siding, reach out today to speak to a local siding professional.
