6 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Siding Even if It’s Not Damaged

While siding lasts many years, as it ages it can fade, leak, rot, and cause energy bills to rise. It’s vital to spot problems early so you avoid worse damage in the future. A simple vulnerability in your siding can start to leak, cause the wood behind it to rot, and create the need for the wood and siding to be replaced rather than just the siding. Read on to discover signs you need to plan for new siding to avoid costly damage. 

When to Plan for Siding Replacement

1. Faded Siding 

Over time, siding fades, particularly due to its exposure to the sun. When siding becomes severely faded, that’s a signal that it is older and likely approaching the end of its life. While siding lasts many years, it eventually needs to be replaced. Why? It isn’t able to protect your home like it once did, and may begin to experience expensive problems—like allowing water to leak into your walls. 

Pro tip – Siding is designed to make your home look beautiful and protect it from the elements. The problem is that when it ages, due to its constant exposure to the sun and other harsh weather elements, pests, or incorrect installation, it can eventually fail. Waiting until your siding completely fails before replacing it can cost you more than replacing it in a timely fashion. 

2. Frequent Painting

If your siding needs painting more regularly than it should due to peeling, chipping, or cracking, there may be a more serious underlying problem with your exterior itself. It could be a sign your siding is deteriorating. Most houses need a fresh coat of paint about every 8-10 years. If you need to repaint more frequently than that, your current siding may be the issue. 

Pro tip – Peeling or chipping paint on your exterior are indicators that it’s time for siding replacement. Consider durable fiber cement siding with enduring color and almost no maintenance—like Hardie® siding and trim. 

3. Costly Pest Infestation

Wood siding attracts termites, carpenter ants, and other pests. If you spot small holes in your siding, it may be time to consider siding replacement with a pest-resistant material (like fiber cement) to deter critters from trying to make your home theirs. Pests can do costly damage—like eat away at your house’s structure. 

Pro tip – If your home has suffered the effects of pest intrusion, the uninvited critters will need to be exterminated before siding is replaced. 

4. Peeling Paint or Wallpaper

Is your interior paint peeling for no apparent reason? Has your wallpaper loosened itself away from the wall it was once anchored to? It may sound surprising, but faulty siding can sometimes show up as issues in your home interior. When siding becomes compromised, your home is vulnerable to water intrusion. As moisture seeps through your exterior and into walls, it harms your house notably. 

Pro tip – Wallpaper loosening or interior paint peeling are signs your siding opened the door for damaging moisture intrusion. This can become quite costly to repair, so it’s important to reach out to a contractor for an inspection and determine if siding replacement is the best next step. 

5. Unhealthy Mold or Mildew Growth

Siding is designed to keep moisture from penetrating and making its way into your home. This may show up in obvious ways (warped or rotting siding) and unobvious ones (mold and mildew). It’s not uncommon for unhealthy mold and mildew to grow on your home siding. Green algae often thrives in shaded areas of your house. The problem is, if you notice fungus growing out of your home’s exterior, or if you spot large areas of mold or mildew around your house’s joints (around windows or doors), you may have a moisture intrusion issue under your siding. 

Pro tip – The possibility of water penetration is an issue that is concerning enough to contact a reputable siding contractor and have them inspect your house. Depending on the situation, your siding may or may not be able to be repaired. It’s important to reach out to a contractor promptly so the underlying problem doesn’t get worse and more expensive to fix. If you need new siding, it will be most cost effective to plan for it before your home incurs damage under your existing siding. 

6. Skyrocketing Utility Bills

When energy bills rise, many facets of your exterior can contribute to the problem. Drafty windows and faulty insulation are possible culprits. But if you rule them out, your siding may be the underlying issue causing energy use to rise. After all, siding helps your home keep heating and air conditioning inside and uncomfortable outdoor temperatures outside where they belong. 

Pro tip – Worn-out siding can’t insulate your home like it should. The result? Your HVAC unit will work overtime as utility bills rise. Don’t put up with high utility bills and allow your HVAC unit to become at risk. Have your siding inspected by a pro to see if it’s time for replacement.

Get Gorgeous New Siding Installed to Perfection and Bypass the Extra Cost of Major Repairs

Don’t risk exposing your home to the need for major repairs or expensive structural damage. When your siding starts to show signs of wear and tear, take action by planning for siding replacement. You’ll simplify your life and save time, money, and the hassles of major repairs.

No one wants to deal with a high-maintenance home or a series of repairs. That’s why at Safe Harbor, we install James Hardie fiber cement siding. What makes it unique? It differs from all the others, as it’s designed to resist hail, snowstorms, UV rays, fire, and damage from pests. It is built to last, comes with a 30-year warranty, and is the most popular fiber cement siding in America. Learn how our siding services can protect your home from the elements while enhancing its beauty for decades!