No homeowner likes to deal with water damage. You should take care of the damage to your home's siding as quickly as possible, though, if it is there. Siding that has been impacted by water may eventually develop rot, mold, and other structural issues. Learn how to fix water-damaged siding if you see mold growth or siding that is breaking away from your home to avoid a larger project in the future. Your home's siding gives it more flair, charm, and curb appeal. However, siding boards also protect your property from expensive moisture damage, which is another crucial function they provide. Unfortunately, if your siding boards aren't performing their job, extreme moisture intrusion could cause serious damage to your property. You're not the only one whose house has water damage. Throughout the lifecycle of a property, water damage is a frequent siding issue that many homeowners deal with.
Ultimate Guide Of Repairing Water-damaged Wood Siding
Water-damaged siding repair is the ideal project to finish in a single day because it doesn't need for many materials or tools. You will be caulking the leak to stop more damage and evaluating the siding damage to determine whether you need to allocate money for expert siding replacement. A ladder could be needed to access the leak, depending on where it is. It's a good idea to hire a siding repair specialist to handle this one if you don't have anyone to watch you, don't feel comfortable working on a ladder, or don't know how to caulk siding.
Identify The Location Of The Leak
- Finding the leak's location is the first step you should do. You might spot mildew on the exterior of the siding, which might appear green, brown, or grey. Wood siding that has rotted will appear damp, dark, or even black. If it hasn't rained recently or you can't immediately pinpoint the reason why the siding is wet, this is especially cause for concern.
- Any of these kinds of damage will probably leave a hole. Once found, you must remove any water-damaged siding in order to discover the source. Examine other places as well because the leak can be doing more harm than you realize.
Plug Holes And Cracks With Caulk
- You're prepared to plug the source once you've identified the holes or little cracks in your siding. Fill the hole or fissures with sealant using a caulking gun. To guarantee a clean seal, smooth the caulk line with your finger while wearing disposable gloves. You should also seal off any holes or cracks that develop on the siding near the water damage.
- Mould must first be removed from the siding before caulking if it is present. Scrub it away with some elbow grease and an all-purpose vinyl cleaner. Before caulking, dry it with a cloth.
Repair Damaged Siding
- The technique and price of siding repair will vary depending on the type of siding. Most of the time, you can paint over the caulked area, but you must wait at least 24 hours for the caulk to dry. You can also reattach a new piece of siding there, however, you might not find one in an identical match depending on what you can find.
Take Preventative Measures
- Reduce the quantity of water that could seep through your siding to avoid more water damage. Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of obstructions and make any necessary repairs. Replace any damaged flashing around doors and windows.
- In order to evaluate the damage following a strong downpour, check the exterior of your property to determine if any excess water or pooling is present close to the siding. Conduct an exterior home inspection at least twice a year to stay on top of siding upkeep. If you want to install new siding, pay careful attention to covering the old siding with the new material and think about choosing low-maintenance siding to cut down on future repairs.
What Causes Siding To Become Water Damaged?
There are several different situations that might lead to water-damaged siding. But these three aggravating elements are usually to blame:
- Weather: Storms with strong winds and hail can dent, chip, or split your siding, enabling rain and snow to soak through.
- Wildlife: Pests like woodpeckers, ants, bees, termites, and others can gnaw holes in your siding or dig into the boards, increasing the risk of water intrusion.
- Moisture: A damp atmosphere eventually results in mold growth and damage to your siding due to factors like humidity, rain, leaking gutters, and poor ventilation.