Beware of These Winter Siding Problems
The autumn months bring a frenzy of last-minute house repairs as homeowners prepare for another long winter. For many, that means when the snow flies, there’s a false sense of security that all is well on their home’s exterior. Unfortunately, Mother Nature can still wreak havoc on your home’s siding. Here are five telltale signs that your home’s siding needs attention.
Indentations & Holes
The winter months can bring an array of extreme weather conditions, such as ice storms and high-speed winds that can hurl around heavy debris into the home’s siding, causing dents and holes. In addition to creating an eyesore, the indentations create a scenario where cold air and moisture can infiltrate your home. This makes it imperative that the siding you have installed on your home has the ability to withstand substantial impact.
Water Infiltration
The substantial temperature fluctuations of the Twin Cities make it critical that a home’s siding can hold up against extreme periods of cold and warmth. This is because the freeze/thaw cycle puts tremendous strain on siding. When temperatures fall below freezing, water can expand by nearly 10%. If water is able to make its way into cracks in the home’s siding the extreme pressure created can cause long-term structural issues. Beware of sizable amounts of ice and snow building up on your home’s gutters that has the possibility to melt and permeate a home’s siding. Water damage to siding can also take place through repeated exposure.
Loose or Missing Siding
If siding is improperly secured, high winter winds can loosen it or completely pull it off the home. One of the earliest signs of loosened siding is an exterior flapping noise during heavy winds. This should be addressed immediately, as missing or loose siding is not creating the protective barrier your home needs to withstand nature’s elements. Consequences of loose or missing siding include high energy bills, wet interior walls, and mold growth.
Rot
Persistent moisture introduced by substantial snow and ice can cause rot to occur. Indicators that rot is starting to happen include brittle or heavily cracked siding sections. If rot is found, it needs to be swiftly addressed by a reputable professional that can diagnose its origin and correct the issue so that full-blown fungal decay does not take place.
Warped Siding
Cedar siding has the ability to resist freezing rain and snow. However, if moisture infiltrates the siding, the wood will begin to warp. Left unaddressed mold growth can ensue as well. It’s wise to have a quality professional address this issue as soon as it’s known, as a repair may be able to be done, rather than full replacement of the home’s siding.
If you want a more weather-resistant siding for your Minnesota home contact Lindus Construction.
