7 Signs Your Home's Siding is Damaged and Needs Repair

Your siding is usually the only thing between the elements outside and your interior drywall and insulation. Each board works together as a complete system with nails, caulk, and a painted finish to keep out moisture and protect your home. Particularly in our hot and humid San Antonio Texas climate, it's very important for your siding to perform at its best to prevent interior damage to your home. Often, homeowners can’t tell how much-hidden damage has occurred until the siding is physically removed. Hence, they can see how much wood rot exists on the frame of their home due to years of moisture penetration behind the siding. But, there are some signs to watch out for that damage might be happening behind the siding’s facade.
1. Overall Deterioration and Aging
Siding will show its age differently depending on the type of material it is made from and how that material has been maintained. Vinyl will suffer from solar weathering, while wood can rot or warp and older Masonite-type composite siding can crack at the edges and start to deteriorate, letting water in. In any case, signs of damage will show as wavy, warped, or uneven spots in the siding. Even HardiePlank siding can show aging if it is improperly installed. Any siding that is wavy, uneven, buckling, has gaps or is shifting will need to be replaced.
2. Nails
Are the heads exposed, rusty, or missing? If your nails have popped out, your siding has experienced some movement or has been expanding and contracting. Rusty nails can signify moisture damage over time and leave streaks down your siding. Ideally, siding should be installed using stainless steel nails. Of course, if any nails are completely missing, your siding is in danger of falling off or blowing away in a strong wind storm.
3. Seams and Caulk

4. Paint

5. Insects or Other Pests

6. Rot or Mold

7. Water Stains

To inspect your own siding for these issues, you can use binoculars or take pictures of it with a digital camera with a good zoom. At that point, you can assess whether your exterior needs a little TLC or if it’s time to update your siding to protect your home entirely.
Did your siding pass this test or receive a failing grade? If you’d like an expert opinion or know your siding needs to be replaced, don't hesitate to contact us directly.
For siding replacement in and around San Antonio, Texas, please call us at 210-780-5696 to get started.