The siding on your home is one of its most essential features. Not only does it protect your home from the elements, it also plays a role in insulating it and keeping energy costs down. Your siding is also one of the first features people notice when they see your home, so damaged siding can seriously impact your home’s curb appeal.
That’s why it’s crucial to get exterior home repairs and replace any damaged or missing siding. Neglecting to do so can lead to a host of problems, some of which can even impact your and your family’s health and well-being. Whether you are dealing with severely cracked fiber cement siding that requires professional repairs, or just wants to learn the best way to fix vinyl siding on your own, Urban Exteriors is here to help.
Read on to discover the consequences of not routinely repairing your siding.
Mold Growth
One of the most severe consequences of not maintaining your siding is mold growth. Mold thrives in damp, dark environments, so if there are cracks or holes in your siding, moisture can easily get in and provide the perfect environment for mold to grow.
In fact, even if you live in a relatively dry climate, mold can still find its way onto your siding if you don’t routinely repair it. Once mold takes hold, it can be tough to get rid of.
Not only does mold cause unsightly staining, but it can also lead to respiratory problems and other serious health issues for you and your family. Inhaling mold spores can trigger asthma attacks, respiratory infections, and other breathing difficulties.
Mold can also cause serious structural damage to your home. Once it begins to grow, mold will quickly spread through your siding, causing it to rot and crumble. There are a variety of molds that can grow on siding, and each type has its own unique set of dangers.
Here are the three most common types of mold that can grow in your home:
Most Common Types Of Mold
Black Mold
Black mold is one of the most dangerous types of mold, as it can release spores into the air that can cause respiratory problems.
Green Mold
Green mold is less harmful to your respiratory health but can cause serious health problems if ingested. It can also still cause damage to your siding since it causes wood to rot.
White Mold
White mold can cause extensive damage to wood and drywall. It can also destroy your insulation. White mold is also dangerous, as it can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Water Leakage
Another major problem that can occur if you don’t repair your siding is water leakage. As noted above, water leakage and mold growth often go hand in hand.
One of the primary purposes of your home’s siding is to prevent moisture from making contact with the non-waterproof elements of your home. However, over time, the siding will start to deteriorate.
If your siding is cracked or damaged, it can allow water to seep into your home, causing all sorts of problems. Leaks can cause structural damage, mold growth, and even insect infestations.
In short, if you’re not regularly repairing your siding, you’re putting your home at risk for significant water damage.
Higher Energy Costs
Another consequence of neglecting your siding is higher energy costs. As previously noted, one of the primary purposes of your siding is to function as insulation.
Damaged or missing siding can affect your home’s insulation, so your heating and cooling system must work even harder. Cracks, gaps, and holes in siding can all lead to increased energy costs, as your heating and cooling system works overtime to maintain the desired temperature inside your home.
Heat escapes through these openings in the winter, leading to higher heating bills. In the summer, hot air from outside can enter your home through these openings, making your air conditioner work harder.
Both cases will lead to higher energy bills and wear and tear on your HVAC system. However, by making siding repair a priority, you can help keep your energy bills under control.
Rotting Wood
Siding damage, if left unchecked, can lead to a host of serious problems, including wood rot. Wood rot is caused by a variety of fungi that thrive in damp, dark conditions.
Once these fungi take hold, they can cause the wood to deteriorate, weakening the siding and making it more susceptible to damage from wind and weather. In severe cases, wood rot can even cause the siding to collapse, creating a serious safety hazard.
Once rot has set in, it quickly spreads, compromising the structural integrity of your siding and leaving your home vulnerable to more water damage. In extreme cases, rotten wood can even lead to structural damage. Needless to say, rotting wood is one of the most severe consequences of not routinely repairing your siding.
Damage to Roofing and Framing
Another potential consequence of neglected siding is damage to your roofing and framing. If you do not address damage to your siding in a timely manner, water can seep into the framing of your home and cause the wood to rot. Additionally, if water leaks onto your roof, it can cause the shingles or tiles to become loose or come off entirely.
Damage to your roofing and framing can also make your home more susceptible to damage from the elements. For example, wind can wreak havoc on homes with damaged siding. High winds can cause the siding to buckle or blow off completely, leaving your home even more exposed to the weather.
Similarly, water can more easily penetrate the vulnerable parts of your home if the roofing and framing are already damaged. In this sense, not repairing minor damage to your siding can quickly snowball into other issues that will cause more severe and costly damage down the road.
Insect Infestation
Yet another problem that can be caused by neglected siding is insect infestation. Believe it or not, your siding plays a vital role in protecting your home from insect infestations.
Many insects are attracted to light, and gaps in your siding can act as a beacon for them, inviting them into your home. Cracks and holes provide an easy entry point for these unwelcome visitors to get inside.
Once insects are in, they can quickly multiply and become a significant problem. Routine siding repair can help to prevent insect infestations by sealing up any gaps and keeping bugs out.
Structural Damage
Siding is what keeps your home from getting damaged by the weather. If you don’t repair siding damage, it can weaken your home’s structure and make it more susceptible to wind, rain, and snow damage.
Structural damage is one of the most severe consequences of allowing the elements to penetrate your siding. Mold, water leakage, rotting wood, and insect infestations can all cause severe damage and weaken the overall structure of your home.
Over time, this damage can add up, causing your siding to deteriorate and eventually fail. Since damaged siding exacerbates these issues, the best way to prevent them is to take care of your siding.
As the old saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.
Aesthetics
Last but certainly not least, neglecting your siding can also affect the aesthetics of your home. Peeling paint, cracked boards, and warped veneer are all signs that a house has been neglected and needs repairs.
Damaged siding can make it hard to sell your home or rent it out for the highest value possible.
For this reason, one of the most important aspects of maintaining your home’s curb appeal is repairing your siding regularly. On the other hand, popular siding colors can actually improve your home’s curb appeal.
Need Help With Your Siding Repair?
As you can see, neglecting your home’s siding has many consequences. From higher energy costs to structural damage, failed siding can cause a host of problems for homeowners.
That’s why it’s essential to routinely repair any damaged or missing siding. If you need professional help with your siding project or want a siding contractor to help you assess the extent of your siding damage, we are here to help!
Urban Exteriors has served Green Bay and the Northeast Wisconsin area for over 16 years.
Just fill out our contact form here.