How to Identify Avoid, and Solve Common Siding Issues

Nov 29, 2022

A home’s siding plays a key role in making sure a home operates efficiently. With that in mind, J&B Construction offers tips on how to determine if there is a need to replace siding.

Moisture

The primary function of a home’s siding is to protect the home from the outside elements, including moisture. However, normal wear and tear or other forms of damage can cause siding to become susceptible to water damage. “Any signs of warping, cracking, peeling, rot, or mold growth on your home’s siding typically indicate that moisture is present, said Scott Cline, J&B Construction owner. “If left untreated, moisture can penetrate your home’s siding and cause water leaks inside the home as well as major structural damage, resulting in costly repairs.” The best way to avoid moisture problems is to perform a biannual inspection of the home’s siding and address any concerns or problem areas with a professional.

Cracks and Other Damage

The cause of cracks in a home’s siding can vary. For instance, siding may show signs of wear after being exposed to years of extreme weather, such as hail, sleet, snow, high winds, heavy rain, and the normal freeze-thaw cycle. Alternatively, it could be the result of improper installation or an accident that occurred on the property.

“Regardless of the origin, the mere presence of cracks in your home’s siding is concerning and should be addressed by a professional promptly to avoid further damage,” Scott said. “Depending on the severity of the damage and age of the siding, the areas of concern may simply need to be patched or the siding may need to be replaced entirely.” It should be noted that the average lifespan of siding varies widely, anywhere between 20 to 40 years, as it depends on several factors, including material type, weather conditions, and the quality and frequency of maintenance performed on the siding.

Pests

If there are any openings present in a home’s siding, it is important to understand that pests, such as termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, woodpeckers, and rodents can find the gaps with ease and wreak havoc on siding. “Since some types of pest damage can be difficult to detect, you should be vigilant of any signs of decay,” said Scott. “If you’re worried about damage caused by pests, consider opting for vinyl siding or fiber cement siding.”

One of the most popular and affordable siding materials, vinyl siding is resistant to rot and insect infestation. Alternatively, fiber cement siding is impervious to many of the issues that plague wood siding, like termites, but still retains a woodgrain pattern. Composed of wood fibers and cement, fiber cement siding is one of the most durable siding materials on the market.

Poor Insulation

Over time, siding may lose its ability to insulate from extreme temperatures and this may be reflected in the form of higher energy bills and uncomfortable indoor air temperatures. “After examining and excluding drafty windows and doors, a poorly insulated attic, and defective insulation elsewhere in your home as possible sources of any air leaks, it’s safe to assume your siding is likely to blame,” he said. “In this situation, replacing your siding is highly recommended, with insulated vinyl siding being a wise choice as it helps to maximize a home’s overall energy efficiency.”

Extreme Fading

It’s normal for your siding to fade after several years. Oftentimes, depending on the siding material, a fresh coat or two of paint is all that is necessary. “If you find your siding is exceptionally faded, this may be a sign that its weatherproofing capabilities are failing,” Scott said. “This is not an urgent matter, but it does serve as a great opportunity to think about installing new siding in the near future so as to avoid more pressing issues down the road.”

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Enjoy Peace Of Mind

The only complaint I have is when I have J&B do my roof in another 30 years or so, is Dave their sales man (a great guy) would not guaranty I could get the same great crew I had this time. They did a fantastic job. Much better than the last roofing company did. A nice bunch of guys. Did a very nice job cleaning up. I'd give them 10 stars but 5 is the limit. If you need a roof done this is the company you want to do it. One more point I need to make. The guys that did the chimney flashing are artists. I went up on the roof when they were done and was very pleased with not only the roofing job but the sculptured sheet metal work. It's kind of a shame it's on the roof and not hanging on the family room wall :). You get the point. Hire em. You'll like em.

Dave H

We live in a historic designated neighborhood and recently had our 30 year wood shingle roof replaced with another wood roof and new gutters. From Day 1 of the project to the final day, the entire team was responsive, professional, and very competent. When some minor changes were proposed by us they quickly and effortlessly complied. After going through this experience with J&B, I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a roof and gutter replacement, whether it be a simple or complicated project.

John Lamb

J & B did an amazing job from start to finish. The initial meeting at my home took place exactly at the time that was agreed upon and Scott was thorough in his explanations and transparent about costs. When the time came to begin the project, the team that showed up was friendly, professional and timely in getting the project done. The cleanup afterward was such that it looked like they hadn't been there at all. The roof looks great, there were no surprises and Scott came by to inspect the work and explain the warranty upon job completion. I would highly recommend them.

Kenneth Simons

My neighbor had their roof replaced and I was really impressed with the speed, carefulness and quality of the work I saw. Asked her for her experience and she told me she would highly recommend J & B. I called Scott to set an appointment. He showed up on time and was very thorough in his assessment, also letting me know about some other issues and advise on where to get help. J & B is a fantastic company to deal with - their people are incredibly careful about the work they do, clean up and leave the property in the same condition as when they started, were careful about plants and the house, and work very efficiently. The office staff is great about following up, checking in and very responsive to anything that comes up. I was happy with the price charged. If you are looking to replace your roof, you should be calling J & B to get the job done.

David W.

We had work done by the J&B team at a commercial property and were very pleased with the whole process. Their estimator met us onsite and communicated with us every step of the way. They went over the scope in detail and the work performed exceeded what we were expecting. They found some additional concerns during the installation that were quickly addressed and communicated to us and to our surprise, there was not an additional charge. Our tenants reached out to share how respectful the employees were during the installation and how clean everything was left afterwards. As the project was wrapped up, we were walked through the completion paperwork and provided the warranty information. Very impressed with the professionalism of this company and would not hesitate to refer their services or use them again in the future.

Jessie C.