It can be frustrating when your siding fails to do its job, especially when it’s due to poor installation work.
Learn common signs that can pop up from faulty installation, and see how it pays off to have your siding installed by a trusted siding contractor who cares about doing the job right.
What Happens When Siding Isn’t Installed Correctly?
1. Water damage
A waterproof barrier, also called a house wrap, should be installed between your exterior walls and your siding. This lightweight, synthetic covering safeguards your home from moisture damage if water gets past your siding. It also gives your siding room to expand and contract when outdoor temperatures change.
The problem? Waterproofing isn’t mandatory for all building codes, and whoever installed your siding may not have put a waterproof barrier on your home. This leads to trapped water that turns into unhealthy mold, mildew, and rot. You may experience sinus problems, skin irritation, and more due to mold and mildew. Allergies and other health issues may also result.
Solution: If necessary, have a mold remediation specialist remove the mold from your home before installing new siding. Next, invest in siding replacement with a reputable contractor who will install a house wrap under your siding.
Properly installed siding decreases excess moisture with a waterproof barrier under your siding panels. This keeps water from seeping into your walls and creating more problems.
2. Warping and buckling
Your home exterior needs to stand up against constantly changing temperatures and weather. As a result, it must have some room to expand and contract when the weather gets warmer or cooler outside. But when siding is installed incorrectly (and nails are placed too tightly), it can be restricted from responding to the climate, and warp, buckle, crack or bulge as a result. The movement can cause nails to pop out and siding to look deformed. Warping and buckling can eventually decrease your home’s structural integrity and insulating properties.
Solution: A reputable siding company (like us!) will hammer in nails and fasteners securely but not too tightly, finding the perfect balance for optimal performance. This is appropriately done based on the training and experience that comes with a detail-oriented, trustworthy installation team.
3. Poor insulation
Is your home drafty or humid? Have you noticed an increase in your utility bills? The problem could be faulty siding installation.
Siding helps keep your home warm each winter and cool each summer. Inexperienced contractors often don’t add enough insulation between your exterior walls and your siding, decreasing your home’s ability to keep a consistent, comfortable temperature. The result is high energy bills and an overworked heating and air conditioning unit.
When replacing your siding, ensure your contractor adds the proper amount and the correct type of insulation during installation.
Solution: Experienced siding contractors assess your home’s condition and guide you toward the most energy-efficient siding replacement materials to meet your needs. They will make sure your old siding is removed, necessary repairs are made, surfaces are properly prepared, and siding panels are well-hung, caulked, and nailed in place. As a result, you’ll enjoy reliable protection from the elements and energy-saving insulation.
4. Rusty nails
When siding is installed correctly, stainless steel nails are used. They prevent rust and create a clean look on your home exterior. If you spot rusty nails on your siding, your installers used the wrong kind of nails. The result? Rusty nails can lose their strength and fall out, causing your siding to loosen from its proper position. And rusty nails can create streaks down your siding, making it unattractive.
Solution: Experienced contractors know that stainless steel nails are necessary when installing siding properly. When the proper nails are used, your siding looks its best and keeps excess moisture from damaging your home’s protective layer and what is under it.
Trusted Siding Installation
The James Hardie Company recognizes Porter Family Exteriors as an Elite Preferred contractor. That means we’ve successfully completed training from the Hardie company and mastered their best practices for siding installation.
When a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor installs your siding, you can have confidence that your siding is accurately installed and that your 30-year, non-prorated, transferable warranty is protected. This makes hiring a professional, well-trained installation team worth the investment!
Get Siding Installation with Confidence for Your Greater Philadelphia Area Home
At Porter Family Exteriors, we’ve earned many homeowners’ recommendations through GuildQuality, a leading third-party surveyor in the home improvement industry.
We’re not a typical corporate company. We’re family owned and operated, and you can rest at ease that you can always have a trustworthy company here locally to rely on.
Look at how expert siding installation by our experienced team made a difference for these Philadelphia area homes.
