Signs Your North Atlanta Home's Siding Needs Replacing Before Winter

Siding is easy to ignore until something goes wrong. It is the first layer of protection against rain, wind and moisture, and winter is a hard time to find out it is not doing its job. Cold nights and wet weather can turn a small crack or gap into water damage behind the wall. If you live in Cumming, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Canton or anywhere else in the North Atlanta area, fall is a good time to take a close look at your siding while the weather is still mild.

Cracks, splits or holes

Walk around the house and look closely at every wall. Cracked, split or chipped boards are the most obvious sign. Vinyl can crack from impact or age, and wood and fiber cement can split along the edges. Small holes can come from pests or woodpeckers. Any opening, even a small one, gives water a way in behind the siding.

Warping, buckling or loose boards

Siding that ripples, bulges or pulls away from the wall usually means something is wrong underneath, often moisture or poor fastening. Look at the walls from an angle in the afternoon sun, when shadows make waves easier to see. Loose or missing pieces after a storm are worth checking too.

Rot, soft spots or mold

Press gently on wood siding and trim near the ground, around windows and under rooflines. If it feels soft or crumbles, it is likely rotting. Green or black growth that keeps coming back after cleaning can mean moisture is getting trapped. Georgia's humidity gives mold and rot plenty to work with, so these problems tend to spread if they are left alone.

Peeling, bubbling or faded finish

Paint that bubbles or peels on siding often means moisture is getting behind it. A heavily faded or chalky surface is a sign the finish is wearing out and the siding is losing protection.

Water stains or damp spots inside

Stains on interior walls, bubbling wallpaper or a musty smell near exterior walls can all trace back to siding that is no longer keeping water out. Check around windows and on the lower level of the house.

Drafts and higher energy bills

Gaps and damaged siding can let outside air in. If your heating costs have gone up and rooms along exterior walls feel drafty, damaged siding or the wall behind it may be part of the cause.

Repair or replace?

A few damaged boards can often be repaired. Replacement usually makes more sense when damage is widespread, when there is rot or moisture behind the siding, or when you keep repairing the same areas year after year. An inspection can sort out which one you are dealing with, including what is going on behind the boards.

Why fall is the time to act

Wet, cold weather is hard on siding that is already damaged, and moisture that gets behind it can cause problems you cannot see until they are expensive. Many siding materials are also easier to install in mild weather. Taking care of it now means fewer surprises once winter arrives.

Talk to a local siding contractor

Live Oak Exteriors installs siding for homeowners in Cumming and the surrounding North Atlanta area. If you are seeing any of these signs, contact us for a free quote and we will help you figure out whether repair or replacement makes sense. You can also call us at 770-318-2024.