Much like hardwood floors and marble countertops, the siding of your home is often seen as a finishing touch, a texture that embeds an aesthetic that is classic and pleasing to the eye. Maybe you even thought that it is optional, and can be swapped out for something else. But the actual purpose of siding is far more practical than that, for its job is to protect the inner workings of your home from the elements, and like any external form of shielding, it wears down over time. Extensive degradation can eventually lead to significant damage, and therefore should be a priority when discussing the maintenance of your home. Here are 3 signs that may indicate that your siding needs replacing.

1. High Heating and Cooling Bills

One tells tale sign of degraded sidings are high heating and cooling bills. If you see a significant spike in the amount of energy required to warm/cool your home, it could be because of leaking air from flawed insulation from the exterior. It is important, however, that you check other signs for leakage before you come to this conclusion. This includes leaking roofs and low-grade wall insulation. Still, a quick visual inspection of the exterior of your home would likely tell you everything you need to know.

2. Rotting or Warping

While you are conducting your visual inspection, take a someone sharp object, like a nail or knife, and poke under any siding that looks warped or rotten. This will give you an adequate inspection of the condition of the board. If the layer underneath has become soft or rotten, that is confirmation that it is time to replace your sidings immediately.

3. Peeling Paint or Fungus Inside the Home

If the interiors of your home start are showing signs of peeling, or if fungus or mold start growing inside your home, there is a good chance that there is a penetration of water within the walls and that your siding has been compromised. This calls for immediate action, as failure to seal off the leakage and replace the siding could lead to some very costly repairs for your home. It’s important to remember that while it may be easy to spot the signs, it is not easy to fix. Cutting and fitting siding to a level of accuracy in which its sealed takes a lot of expertise. It is not recommended as a DIY project, and it is important that you hire professionals with a lot of expertise. On that level, few companies in the Pittsburgh area rival MHI. We bring 35 years worth of experience to the table and handle all siding and roofing problems.