One of the top questions our project managers and estimators hear is “How much time do I have before my siding replacement becomes necessary?”
And, depending on the condition of your home, the answer may be less intimidating than you think.
Pacific Exteriors LLC has nearly 20 years of experience answering homeowner questions just like yours—and
With a variety of common siding issues with photos to demonstrate what problems can look like, we want to clarify and help homeowners understand how necessary their siding project is, especially since it’s a pricier home improvement project.
From photos of what water-damaged siding can look like to photos of termite-eaten wood, we have examples of the top 3 most common siding problems we see here at Pacific Exteriors LLC ordered in most to least urgent.
#1 Visible Water Damage to Your Home is an Urgent Repair
It seems obvious, but visible water damage to your home is a sign that you need to look into immediate repairs.
Consistent water damage causes rot, mildew, and mold to grow within your home. In the end, it not only affects the appearance of your home, but also affects the structural integrity of the foundation.
From NerdWallet’s blog on foundation repair cost, the price for a foundation with widespread damage—which long-term, extensive water damage frequently causes—ranges from $15,000 to $35,000, and commonly goes above that range depending on the project.
Additionally, if the water is leaking in through your home’s siding, the foundation repair would be on top of a siding replacement.
That is a lot of money at once. And while financing is always a great option, it’s still a financial burden that can be hard to swallow. Starting a siding replacement and home inspection will save you money in the long run.
In this home’s siding, we can see a bit of “fuzzing” on the siding. Fuzzy wood happens for a variety of reasons, but here it is due to moisture.
While there is visible water damage, none of the panels are falling off or loose. There is also no moss growing anywhere, indicating no consistent water presence.
Here is an example of a home that requires immediate attention: there is a large clump of moss growing on the bottom of the home and the siding panel has completely broken off. After our contractors removed the siding, this is what they found:
Really, really bad water damage. The wood is completely discolored, and you can see how part of the wood is almost ‘carved’ out, leaving a gaping hole.
This level of rot repair requires a more in-depth analysis at whether or not the house is even ready for a siding replacement, or if structural repairs need to be made first.
#2 Critters and Termites in Your Siding Needs Immediate Attention
Less common in the Pacific Northwest than water damage, termites and other critters making a home in your siding can be a cause for concern.
Because bugs are more immediately noticeable than rotten wood behind siding, homeowners usually catch this much faster. However, it doesn’t take a lot of time for termites to destroy your home.
In a picture of this home, termites have completely eaten through the existing wooden siding and exposed the pink insulation beneath.
Remediation for this project will look like replacing all those old siding boards as well as hiring an exterminator to ensure the bugs do not remain.
#3 Paint Flaking Could Indicate More Serious Problems
While flaking paint is a normal part of aging siding, it can also indicate a more serious problem beneath.
While it may be hard to see in this photo because of the lighting, the paint is flaking off slightly in the siding. There aren’t any huge pieces coming off, but in the shadow you can see dark spots peeking through the beige paint.
This homeowner should start preparing and budgeting for a siding replacement. The paint is flaking, which means water can still get into the siding.
In comparison, this home needs an immediate siding replacement.
Notice how, at the bottom of the home, there are large flakes of paint falling off leaving the siding exposed. Because it’s so close to the ground, it allows more water into the home’s siding, hence why it becomes urgent to replace it overall.
Siding Damage Can Feel Invisible
Once our estimators get around to a client’s house and walk through the estimate and potential damage together, our clients are confused. “It doesn’t look that bad, though!”
But that’s why it’s so important to do consistent walkarounds your property and identify any potential damage you may have—because siding doesn’t show damage until it’s falling off your home.
Get on top of weatherproofing your home by booking your free estimate today with Pacific Exteriors below!
If you’re not ready to schedule that free estimate yet, then check out some of our other blogposts on how to prepare yourself and your home for your future siding project.
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