Siding Repair in Farmington MN | Does My Siding Need Repair?
If you’re a homeowner and you’re wondering whether your siding needs to be repaired or replaced, the answer is probably yes. Siding is one of the first things people notice when they visit your home, so it must look good. Having aging or damaged siding can also affect other aspects of your home, such as heating and cooling efficiency and moisture problems inside your walls. The best way to decide if it’s time for a new siding installation is by considering these factors: Siding Repair in Farmington MN
Siding Repair vs. Replacement
Repairing your siding can be much cheaper than replacing it. Some repairs are simple and easy, but others will take more time and effort. If you’re unsure if your siding needs repair or replacement, speak to a contractor who can help you decide which option is best for your home.
Repairing siding is only an option if the damage has been caused by something specific, like a storm or a fallen tree branch. Small dents in the aluminum siding are caused by hail or other small objects that hit the home during a storm; these types of damages can often be repaired by simply replacing damaged pieces with new ones purchased at hardware stores. Damages caused by heavy winds and falling tree branches should always be replaced with new sections because they could result in further damage over time if left alone.
Cracks or Other Visible Damage
If your siding has cracks, it needs to be repaired. Even if the crack isn’t visible from the street, you should still get it fixed by a professional contractor. Cracks are caused by a variety of things:
- Wind damage
- Adverse weather conditions (extreme heat or cold)
- The normal wear and tear associated with age
Difficulty Heating or Cooling
Your home is hard to heat and cool because your siding isn’t properly insulated.
Insulation works by trapping air in the gaps between exterior walls, which helps keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. Some types of insulation also provide water resistance—a crucial feature when you’re living in an area with rainy seasons. Insulating your siding can reduce energy bills by up to 30%.
There are several options for insulating your existing exterior walls. You can contact your local contractor to find out what’s best for your home.
Mold Problems
Mold is a type of fungus that can grow on damp surfaces. Sometimes, people have mold growing on their siding because it was not properly cleaned and dried after a rainstorm or other period of heavy humidity. If you have noticed that there are patches of black spots on the outside of your house, those may be mold spores.
Mold grows easily in the humid environment created by moisture trapped between siding boards and by poor ventilation, especially if the air is stagnant inside your home. Mold spores are present in the air outside and can enter your home through small cracks in the siding or around windows and doors where weather stripping has been torn away or damaged over time due to exposure to water damage from windstorms (instead of from rain). The presence of wet materials such as wood framing members within walls or attic space may also contribute to mold growth because these materials provide food sources for molds once they begin growing. Therefore, it is important not only for proper cleaning procedures during siding installation but also for regular maintenance afterward so any issues can be addressed quickly before they become serious problems with long-term effects.
Moisture Problems
If you’ve installed vinyl siding on an older home and have noticed blistering or cracking, which can indicate a moisture problem, it’s not the end of the world. Just like with any other type of home repair, there are some steps you can take to fix it yourself.
First up: make sure that your siding is properly installed with a vapor barrier directly beneath it. This will keep water out—and help prevent mildew from building up under your siding. If there is excess moisture in this area due to improper installation or another reason (like poor ventilation), you may end up with blistering and cracking that looks like this:
To check for dampness in your exterior walls, use a moisture meter to measure the amount of moisture in the wall. If you find that there’s an issue with water penetration, it should be fixed immediately. Make sure you hire a professional contractor to do the repair work because these issues can be dangerous if left unchecked and can lead to serious structural damage down the line.
Buckling Boards
You notice buckling boards, holes, or signs of rot on your wooden clapboard siding or any type of vertical exterior wooden trim.
If you have wood siding and the wood is starting to buckle outward at the joints, it might be time for repairs. This buckling can be caused by moisture in the structure of your home, or by a lack of proper ventilation in your house. If you’re seeing this problem, we recommend getting an estimate from a professional contractor to find out how much it will cost and when they can fix it for you!
Siding Repair in Farmington MN
We’ve covered a lot of ground in this article, but we hope it’s helped you understand how to make an informed decision about whether your siding needs to be repaired or replaced. The best way to find out is by calling a professional contractor for an inspection. Their expertise can help you determine whether the damage is superficial and fixable with paint or if more extensive work is necessary. You can contact our team of contractors at Capstone Bros. in Farmington, Minnesota.