Replacing Vs Repairing Siding: How to Know Which Option You Need

Your home’s siding is one of its most important features for several reasons. Siding enhances your home’s curb appeal, and can even make your home more energy efficient if you choose the right type of siding. Siding can also help you repair unseen structural damage – damage that is often unnoticeable without removing the siding or drywall completely. Yet how do you know when you need to replace your siding? What if it simply needs repairing? In this article, we will be uncovering how to tell if you need to repair or entirely replace your siding. 

Signs Your Siding Needs to Be Repaired

Repairing siding is generally the popular option because it is often faster and less costly (although it is not always the answer). However, if you notice any of the below signs, it might be okay to simply repair your siding:  

Cracked or Loose Siding

Cracked or loose siding is a sign your siding is in need of repair. This is especially true if it is a small area or one or two boards. Most people can easily remove two pieces of siding and replace them (which is still technically a repair and low-cost). The big problem is if there are larger sections of your siding that are cracked, or if there are multiple loose pieces of siding. If you notice this, it is a good time to call in a professional to assess the damage and fix it. 

Dents in Your Siding 

Similar to cracks, dents in your siding are fairly easy to repair and often only require a panel replacement. Dents could be caused from anything – from hail, to a ball hitting the siding or various other reasons. Unless there are multiple dents, a simple repair will be more than enough. 

A Small Amount of Mold

If you spot mold on your siding, a quick repair job ought to do the trick. However, it is important you find out two key things: how your siding got mold in the first place, and that you one hundred per cent got rid of it all (or it may progress to rotting).

Signs Your Siding Should be Replaced 

Sometimes, repairing your siding is simply not enough and you need to have it replaced. Below are some of the signs a repair will not suffice and you need to replace your siding: 

You Notice Rot 

Rot of any kind is a surefire sign you need to replace your siding. When rot begins to form, it is a sign your siding is failing. If you replace your siding quickly, you will avoid larger forms of damage to your home from rot spreading and damaging the structural integrity of your home. 

Visible Water Stains

If you notice discoloration or streaking on your siding, this could be a sign that water is entering your siding and affecting the inside of your home. If this is the case, the damaged siding will need to be replaced. 

Higher Than Normal Energy Bills 

If you have noticed your heating and cooling bills have increased over the months or years, this might be a sign your home needs new siding. This is trickier to diagnose by yourself, however, because it could be a sign of an issue with your home’s insulation. It is worth getting a professional home improvement contractor to take a look for you. 

Excessive Maintenance 

An unusual but often clear sign your siding needs to be replaced is if you are cleaning, repainting or repairing your siding every few years. Well performing siding should ideally keep its shape and color for at least 8 years, and usually longer. If your siding is chipping, peeling or cracking often, this means your siding is past its prime and needs to be replaced.

How to Find the Right Contractor to Repair or Replace Your Siding

Choosing the right contractor for replacing or repairing your siding can be the difference between an incredible home improvement experience or a terrible one. Here are some quick tips to finding the best contractor for the job. 

1. Read online reviews 

Reading the online reviews about a contractor or company is one of the best ways to learn more about the contractor. It is a good idea to look at a variety of websites and reviews to get an accurate representation of the company. Angie’s List, Yelp, Houzz, Home Advisor or Customer Lobby are credible websites where you can read reviews about many home improvement contractors and businesses in the Maryland and Virginia area.

2. Ask for references

Asking for references is essential when finding the best contractor for the job. The best contractors will be more than happy to give you a long list of references with names and numbers of people they have done work for in the past, and who will be able to provide reliable references.

3. Compare estimates 

When searching for the right contractor, it is a good idea to compare estimates. It is important to remember, cheapest rarely means best. Also, when comparing estimates, you need to be comparing apples to apples. Some companies will only give estimates for just the material, and not the installation cost. It is important you make sure all costs are included in the estimate to make sure there are no additional costs or surprises down the road.