So, you finally got new vinyl siding for your home, something you have been saving up for a while. Or maybe you just moved into your newly built home with brand new siding. Either way, it should look and be perfect. Shouldn’t it? Unfortunately, as much as some may be looking forward to the like-new appearance of your siding, it is not always installed correctly by contractors.
So, how do you know if your home’s vinyl siding was improperly installed?
The obvious signs of incorrectly installed vinyl siding are if you notice any rippling, cracks, or bulging. Less obvious signs include excess moisture, mildew, mold, or higher utility bills. We will describe how you can know if your siding was installed incorrectly in more detail below.
What should you look for?
Siding Rippling
Rippling occurs when siding is not installed level. It appears as a wavy or uneven look. Contrary to popular belief, vinyl siding is not a simple installation and requires precision and meticulous attention to detail. Professional contractors know that leveling tools must be used for proper siding installation, but unfortunately, not all contractors pay this same attention to detail, and it results in a rippling appearance that makes your home look less than ideal.
Bulging, Warping, and Cracking
Bulging and warping appear similar to rippling, but cracking is fairly obvious to its cause. Typically, if you see bulging, warping, or cracking in your vinyl siding, it means that the panels were installed in a way that does not allow for movement. As such, they moved in ways that resulted in these defects.
Siding is meant to allow for slight movement with fluctuations in temperature. It expands when weather conditions are extremely hot such as on warm summer days and contracts when temperatures are very cold such as cold nights or during the winter. If the siding is installed too tightly or nails are hammered in too hard, the vinyl siding is not able to move, and it results in bulging, warping, or cracking.
Excess Moisture
The purpose of siding is to protect you and your home against animals, bugs, and the elements. This includes snowstorms, hail, rainstorms, and such. Unfortunately, if siding is not installed properly, these elements have a tendency to sneak past the defenses of the siding. This can result in mold, mildew, leaks, or water stains on your home’s interior.
If left unchecked, these issues can also lead to health problems for you, your family, and your pets such as coughs, allergies, and other breathing problems. If you notice any of these excess moisture water spots, contact your siding contractor right away
Higher Utility Bill
Your home’s vinyl siding is the first line of defense to keep weather outside from creeping inside. If siding is installed incorrectly, though, this may mean that there are gaps in the siding that are not protecting your home’s infrastructure. As such, cold air from outside can leak in while your inside heat escapes and vice versa. If you are noticing higher than average heating and cooling costs since your new vinyl siding installation, it may mean that it was installed poorly with little care to its effectiveness.
Overview
While vinyl siding has the characteristic of making your home look nice, it also has the functional purpose of being your first line of defense against the elements. By being incorrectly installed, both of these functions suffer. Be sure to fully inspect new vinyl siding and contact your contractor if you notice any discrepancies. Also, when installing new vinyl siding, make sure you have a qualified, professional contractor that comes with credentials and references so you can avoid any of these issues from the beginning.
Secure Your Home Up with Home Improvement Services
For top-notch siding installation and exterior home improvement services in Romulus, look no further than Excel Home Improvement. As experienced contractors specializing in exterior home improvements, our mission is to enhance, upgrade, and make a lasting impact on the overall appearance of your home. Our expertise lies in new roof installation, gutter repair and installation, siding installation, and more.
As a local business, we take pride in guaranteeing the quality of our work while improving our community. Discover why Excel Home Improvement is an excellent choice for all your siding, roofing, and gutter needs. Contact us today to request a Free Estimate!