SIGNS YOU NEED A SIDING REPAIR
It’s a good idea to get a siding repair if you’re selling your home and want to raise that home value. (After all, new or repaired siding does wonders for your curb appeal!)
Here are some other signs that it’s time for a siding repair:
- Cracked siding
- Holes in the siding
- Bubbles in the siding
- Mildew and mold in your home
- Interior paint damage
- Dry rot
- Higher-than-average electric bills
CAN YOU REPLACE PIECES OF SIDING?
This depends on the extent of the siding damage. However, yes, you can generally replace small pieces of siding. At a minimum, you will need a qualified siding contractor with a pry bar and a zip tool who can put in the new piece for you.
While you can DIY siding repairs, it’s recommended to always work with a professional siding company so that you can ensure the repair is done correctly and does not cause further damage.
HOW DO YOU REPAIR DAMAGED SIDING?
How to repair siding is different for all types of siding. First, a siding contractor should come out to assess the damage. Once we understand what we’re dealing with, we will let you know the steps to fix your siding (and any costs associated with it).
All we need to do for most minor siding repair cases is replace broken flashing, recaulk, fill in holes, add new building paper, or put in new pieces of siding. (If there is severe damage, we might need to install new siding.)
Siding repair costs vary based on the siding contractor, material, and specific repair. It could be $175 to $500 for small siding repairs or several thousand dollars for more complex repairs.
To estimate the cost for your siding repair needs, you can divide the outside of your home into squares and triangles. Then, after you’ve distinguished the two, you can multiply the height by length to get the square footage for the squares.
To get the square footage for the triangles, you can multiply the height by length and then divide that number by two. (You will need to remove the window square footage as well, as no siding will be repaired there.)
Once you have the square footage for all the squares and triangles, you can add those two numbers, which will tell you the square footage you require for siding. (Just don’t forget to consider labor costs, as that can affect the overall price.)
As you can tell, estimating the cost can get complicated fast. That’s why we send a professional estimator to your home to give you an accurate quote for all siding repair work.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REPAIR ONE PIECE OF SIDING?
The cost to repair one piece of siding depends on the type of siding and specific repair. If the siding has a hole in it, you can expect to pay $200+ in general for the repair work. It may cost more to repair a dent and any dry rot damage.
WHY IS MY SIDING ROTTING?
If you have wood siding, it’s at risk for everything that you expect might impact wood: dry rot, warping, and bacterial growth–to name a few examples. It’s also exposed to the elements outside, which means that bugs, birds, and other animals can damage the siding and cause you to need a siding repair.
Rotting siding typically happens when your siding isn’t made from a high-quality, weather-resistant material or if you don’t get a contractor to look at the damage early on after you notice a problem. Rest assured that if you need an expert to examine your siding, we are qualified and would love to help you out.
WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF SIDING?
The life expectancy of your siding depends on what type of siding you choose for your home and whether you keep up with siding repairs and maintenance. Wood siding can stay good for between 15-40 years, but maintenance should be a top priority, especially considering that you live in the Pacific Northwest, where there is a lot of rain. (That exposes your wood siding to problems and can wear your siding down over time.)
James Hardie siding generally comes with a 30-year warranty. Although, with the right care, it can stay in good condition for up to 50 years. The key is to monitor your siding for problems and consult a professional right away if you notice any.
SHOULD YOU REPAIR OR REPLACE SIDING?
Whether you should repair or replace your house siding depends on the scope of the damage. For instance, if your siding has visible signs of aging, an insect infestation, or significant cracks or warping, a siding replacement is in order.
However, if you have just a few cracked or loose pieces of siding, a siding repair should do the trick. The best way to know if you need a repair or replacement is to consult professionals.
WHEN SHOULD I REPLACE HARDIE BOARD SIDING?
When you should replace your Hardie board siding is similar to when you notice problems with any other type of siding. That means that if you’re constantly doing siding maintenance, there are a lot of damaged or loose pieces of siding, or there’s warping or rot, your siding’s lifespan is probably up.
The good news is that Hardie board siding is designed to last for decades. In other words, it’s unlikely you’ll have problems early on after getting siding, but let’s say you just purchased a home and didn’t make any changes to the existing siding. If so, the siding may have been there well past the siding’s lifespan and was gearing up to need to be replaced soon.
WHAT IS THE MOST DURABLE SIDING?
There are many durable types of siding, including but not limited to fiber cement, wood, aluminum, and cedar shake. If you’re looking to repair your existing siding, but you find out that you need a siding replacement instead, we’ll let you know and recommend some options that would work for you.
James Hardie fiber-cement siding is one of our most recommended options. Not only does it come pre-primed and finish-ready, but there are also many color and style variations that allow you to personalize the siding for your home.
