Winter isn’t often the time for home improvement projects and house repairs. Between the craze of the holidays and the desire to stay warm, it’s easy to understand why. However, winter weather can do an actual number on your home’s siding. That’s why Pacific Home & Patio would like to provide you with the following guide to how winter affects your home’s siding and what you should be on the lookout for this season.
Holes & Dents
Depending on where you live in the Treasure Valley, winter can come with some wicked storms and powerful winds that whip your home with debris. Holes and dents are the most common forms of siding damage to identify. Holes not only allow cold air to penetrate your home but also moisture. Denting, on the other hand, can be a real eyesore when it comes to your home’s curb appeal. That’s why it’s important to talk with a professional siding contractor in Boise when it comes to replacing your home’s siding to ensure it can withstand winter’s extremes.
Water Penetration
When water freezes, it expands nearly 10%, making melting ice and snow a real threat to your home’s siding. If water seeps into any cracks in your home’s siding and temperatures drop below freezing, it can lead to long-term structural damage. To keep an eye out for this, look for large amounts of snow or ice in your gutters that could potentially melt and seep into your siding. You should also look for any signs of water damage caused by consistent exposure.
Cracks
Another problem associated with the freezing and melting of snow and ice is cracking. That’s why it’s essential to know f your home’s siding material can stand up to Idaho’s harsh elements. Cement composite, fiber cement, vinyl, and natural wood siding tend to crack and split over time. That’s why you should know if your siding material has been specifically treated to make it less prone to freezing and cracking.
Missing Siding
Missing areas of siding are one of the easiest forms of winter damage to spot. It’s also an essential one. High winds can knock siding panels loose or take them off altogether. As your home’s first line of defense against the harsh Idaho elements, missing siding pieces can leave your home susceptible to permanent issues along with rotting or insect infestations. Aside from spotting missing siding visually, another indication that you have loose siding is flapping noises when the wind picks up.
Rotting
Siding is constantly exposed to moisture during the cold winter months. Unfortunately, melting snow and ice can lead to rotting over time. Water damage can also lead to decay, compromising your home’s health, durability, and aesthetics. To spot any issues before it’s too late, take the time to look over your home for any brittle siding with deep cracks. At Pacific Home & Patio, our Boise siding professionals can help you choose excellent siding materials that are engineered to perform in wet conditions and outlast other siding products.
Pacific Home & Patio
There you have it, a helpful guide to identifying some of the most common winter siding problems. By spotting any of the signs listed above, you can get on Pacific Home & Patio’s calendar before we are all booked up for the spring and summer season. Contact us by filling out our online form or give our Boise siding professionals a call at (208) 376-0000 to request a free quote today! Doing so will ensure your siding protects your home all year long.
