Vinyl siding is a durable, long-lasting way to protect and beautify your home’s exterior. Vinyl siding offers you the look of a painted house without the peeling paint and fading colors.
However, vinyl siding still needs regular maintenance and care. The effects of weather and wear can make your home vulnerable to damage from the elements and pests.
Read on to learn more about some of the common problems with vinyl siding. You’ll also discover what you can do to prevent them and how to fix vinyl siding when these problems occur.
Cracks and Damage
All vinyl siding is susceptible to impact, whether your kid’s baseball or baseball-sized hail hits it. The extent of the impact’s damage will determine the repairs you need to make.
If you have a small crack or puncture caused by a baseball or rock, you may be able to use a vinyl siding patch kit to repair it. Ensure that your patch job will blend seamlessly with the original surface by matching the paint to the color of your vinyl siding. The patch kit includes full directions on how to seal the crack or fill the puncture.
Replacing a Damaged Piece of Siding
For more extensive damage, you may have to replace an entire piece of siding. Most vinyl siding is easy to repair because it is installed in strips.
To replace a damaged piece, locate the end of the panel. Then, pull the damaged piece away from the house. If properly installed, it should pop out with minimal effort.
Now, carefully run your hand along the panel’s backside to expose the nail strip. Remove the nails and discard the damaged piece.
Next, insert the replacement panel by sliding it up and clipping it onto the nail strip of the existing siding panel below. Ensure the new panel overlaps the panels on either side since vinyl siding expands and contracts with temperature changes.
Finally, nail your siding in place, but not too tightly against the house. The siding should have some flexibility when hung.
Noisy Vinyl Siding
If your existing siding is creaking, rattling, and popping in the night, it is usually the result of poor installation. Contractors hang vinyl siding with “wiggle room” that allows the panels to expand and contract as the air temperature changes around them. If they are nailed too tightly against the side of the house, you will hear the noise as the vinyl struggles to adapt to the temperatures.
Rattles are usually the result of vinyl siding installed too loosely. Using your hammer to tighten them should be enough to stop the sound from recurring, even in high winds.
Melting Vinyl Siding
Strange as it may sound, you may need to know how to fix vinyl siding that has melted. Melting of vinyl siding is rare and usually only occurs in places with hot climates. For this reason, you won’t often find vinyl siding in hot, humid areas.
To repair melted vinyl siding, you must first remove all the melted siding panels and the nails. Once you have removed all the melted material, you can cut and install the new siding.
Buckling and Warping
Improper installation of vinyl siding may also result in buckling and warping.
Vinyl siding has oval-shaped nail slots that allow side-to-side movement when properly hung. The panels should be able to move about half an inch from side to side. However, if not appropriately nailed, the panels can start to buckle and warp.
Buckled siding and warping can allow moisture and pests to reach your walls. These elements may damage the walls and lead to even more costly repairs. Buckled and warped siding cannot be repaired, and the only solution is to replace the damaged panels.
Fortunately, you can prevent this issue from the get-go. Hire a licensed, experienced professional to install your vinyl siding.
Pest Damage
While pests do not directly damage your vinyl siding, they can be an issue if the siding is not correctly installed. Insects such as carpenter ants, carpenter bees, termites, and post beetles get up behind the vinyl panels and make themselves at home. Unfortunately, you may not realize the damage they’ve done until it is too late.
Woodpeckers may be the first sign that you have a pest problem under your siding. If woodpeckers have taken to mining your house walls for food and damaging the vinyl siding, you will need to investigate.
The only solution for a pest problem is insecticides. After eliminating the pests, check if you need vinyl siding repair or adjustment in the affected areas.
Moisture Damage
The primary purpose of vinyl siding is to protect the walls of your home from moisture and the elements. If you have improperly fastened or damaged panels, water may seep underneath. As a result, your wooden boards will rot, compromising the structural integrity of your home.
If you have multiple leaks around your home, the damage is too severe for a simple repair job. You may require extensive repair of the structure and replacement of the siding under those circumstances. However, if the damage is confined to a single leaking area, removing the rotted area and replacing it with a new board is the solution.
Preventing moisture damage includes:
· Regular vinyl siding maintenance and prompt repairs
· Annual inspections of your roof and siding
· Ensuring proper roof drainage to avoid excess moisture
Home Improvement & Vinyl Siding Repair
Unsure how to fix vinyl siding? Urban Exteriors specializes in siding installation, repairs, and home improvement. We are a full-service remodeling company serving homeowners throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
To learn more about repairing vinyl siding and how Urban Exteriors can help you maintain your home’s integrity and appearance, reach out to us. Our installation experts will assess your siding situation. We’ll then give you an estimate and repair timeline.
Whether you need a quick home repair or a complete exterior vinyl siding installation, we are ready to help you. Contact us today!