Signs You Need Siding Repair in Boulder, CO

Siding is something that everyone looks at every day in Boulder, usually without even considering it's there. The material that covers your exterior walls isn't something most people ever give any amount of special consideration—unless it gets wrecked.

Exterior siding is one of the most vulnerable surfaces on any property, despite the fact that one of its jobs is protecting your property. Inclement weather, pests, and even people can all ruin your exterior surfaces. With so many potential sources of damage, it's not surprising that your protection against the elements might suffer from wear and tear.

You don't have to be a professional contractor to identify siding damage that needs to be repaired. The information used by local repair professionals is available to everyone—not just the experts at Mr. Handyman of E Boulder, Broomfield, and Erie. If you know how to identify potential problems, you can complete essential repairs before you need more costly solutions.

1. Visible Cracks & Holes

Any heavy impact will crack most siding materials. You should get repairs for any obvious signs of destruction. Even small holes will allow water and moisture inside an exterior wall, causing more severe damage to your entire property—while also creating opportunities for wood rot and mold growth.

Common Causes:

Storm & hail damage
Falling tree branches
Rock chips hurled by lawn mowers
Animals
Expansion & contraction during seasonal weather changes
And, accidental impacts from thrown objects

Storm Damage

Scarring is extremely common after extreme weather. Hail, strong winds, and other nasty weather patterns will put pressure on your outdoor surfaces. Taking the time to inspect your outdoor areas after any severe weather will help you know whether you need fascia repairs, soffit solutions, gutter repairs, and siding services.

2. Fading Colors

No matter what type of material covers the outside of your home, it's appearance will fade over time. That kind of wear is unavoidable for any outdoor surface. Sun exposure, rain, and melting snow all impact the lovely finish of exterior surfaces.

Bold colors that are now faded do look unpleasant—and might reduce your curb appeal—but the results of that intense UV exposure also indicate outdoor features that are getting older. Those signs of age are indications that you might need professional repairs for unaddressed issues.

3. Warping Vinyl

Warping, buckling, and bending are all common problems for people in Boulder with vinyl siding covering their exteriors. Improper installation is often the reason why these problems occur. Vinyl boards need room to expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. If vinyl is too tightly fastened against a building and doesn't have room for those minor movements, it will bend and buckle.

There is a wide range of vinyl options and some are more prone to warping from extreme heat during summer and cold winter weather. Even if you do choose a more durable material, it could still deform if there are areas of your property that get constant exposure to the elements.

Did You Know?

Windows in colder climates have been known to melt vinyl on the sides of homes and commercial properties. Insulated window glass—which is more common in colder regions—can focus light into a beam if it passes through at the right angle (like a magnifying glass focusing sunlight). That beam can melt vinyl; even on the coldest day of the year.

4. Water Damage

Those outside layers of protection against elements are also susceptible to the elements themselves. Moisture resistance is an important function of your exterior walls, but not all siding choices are excellent moisture barriers.

Many vinyl options are only water-resistant—not waterproof—and wood siding is particularly vulnerable to problems caused by moisture accumulation. When moisture penetrates natural wood exteriors, mold and mildew will soon follow. Wood rot is also close behind.

Those issues compromise the effective protection you get from the exterior materials covering your property. They can also spread inside, causing even more problems. If your current siding shows any of the signs of rot, mold, or mildew, you should seek out immediate repairs from a reliable, local handyman.

Common Symptoms:

Stains
Fuzzy, colorful mold growth
Flat, white, powdery mildew
Cracks, shrinkage, & cuboidal fractures in wood siding products
And, bubbling under the surface

5. Loud Noises

If sections of siding aren't installed properly or become damaged in other ways, they might make noise to let you know there's a problem. It's not unheard-of for vinyl to make noise as it expands and contracts, but the wind can also whip up noise as it moves over outdoor surfaces.

If you notice loud noises—especially if you've also just had someone install replacement siding—you should get professional help from a company that offers exterior home services and commercial solutions. Fixing that poor installation job early will prevent other issues from happening later.

Should You Repair or Replace Damaged Exteriors?

Most types of siding can be repaired if the damage they receive is detected early and is isolated to smaller sections. However, if your damage is extensive—or if the material covering buildings is so old that its bright colors have completely faded—then replacement will be a superior option.

New installations don't have to be stressful though. Damage caused by weather and problems caused by gradual wear are opportunities for you to consider a different option. There might be a more durable siding solution for your home or business.

Your Siding Options in Boulder:

Vinyl: Vinyl is easily installed, inexpensive, requires less maintenance, and comes in a variety of custom color options and textures, but it's susceptible to cold weather problems and cannot be repainted.
Metal: Aluminum is lighter and can be installed quickly as well, but steel siding is heavy and takes more time. Metal won't fade as much, but it's more susceptible to dents, rust, and scratches.
Fiber Cement Siding: This pre-finished material doesn't need to be painted after installation and it can also be repainted if you want a fresh look, but installation requires special tools and techniques, so not everybody offers it.
Brick: Brick lasts for a long time without much maintenance and is more durable than many other options, but it also costs more than most other materials and it can only be painted once.

Do You Need Exterior Repairs in Boulder?

Mr. Handyman of E Boulder, Broomfield, and Erie provides exceptional exterior home services and excellent interior repairs. We can help with commercial needs too.

If you need expert advice or quality service, call us at 303-647-9132 or request an appointment online.