Siding Inspection Tips

Aside from your roofing system, siding plays a significant role in your home’s protection against weather extremes and its energy efficiency. Inspections can help detect smaller issues before they turn into significant damage.

Read on to learn Siding Inspection Tips

Siding Inspection Checklist

Wood Siding

Parts of your exterior where water gets concentrated are prone to rot. You must pay attention to the siding below roof ends with missing kick-out flashing, under bay windows and at wood chimney chases. Areas that often get splashed with water are also more likely to rot.

Poke areas that are prone to water infiltration and rotting. In some cases, you can push the siding with your fingers to find rotted or soft spots. Look for missing or dried-out caulk that requires attention. Rotted wall sheathing can be checked by removing the siding and checking it out or by hiring a professional for moisture testing.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding usually gets physical damage from hail, basketballs, baseballs, weed trimmers or rocks from lawnmowers. While small chips won’t affect its performance, they appear unsightly. Vinyl siding can melt if you grill too close to the siding or from reflected sunlight on Low-E windows.

Just like any siding material, vinyl siding can also experience water infiltration. If you suspect that moisture has infiltrated some parts of your vinyl siding, contact professionals. To find home improvement experts in your area, simply search “siding or roofing near me” online. You’ll be presented with contractors who are near your location. Before hiring a company, make sure to read reviews and ask for references.

Stucco and Stone Siding

While stains below windows and other wall penetrations can be a concern, they are not necessarily a problem. The only way to confirm if a stucco siding has issues is through invasive moisture testing. It’s the same for detecting defects in stone siding.

James Hardie® Siding

Improper nailing and insufficient clearances to grade, hard surfaces and roof covering are the most common issues with James Hardie siding. When inspecting this siding material, it’s best to read the manufacturer’s instructions and walk around your home to see if the installation details match the diagrams provided.

Prevent siding problems by hiring a reputable contractor for your replacement like John Peters Roofing.   We specialize in residential siding installation and repair. You can also count on our team for your gutter and roof replacement. Call us at (317) 786-3315 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate. We serve homeowners in Indianapolis.