The roofing industry has changed quite a lot over the years. These days, homeowners are rarely opting for the standard, 3-tab shingles that were so popular a few decades ago. Instead, they are going with architectural shingles, and in some cases, with even more eco-friendly options like green roofing or slate. Whether you're shopping around for a new roof or are thinking of having repairs made to your current roof, it pays to be educated. Learn the basics on this blog, where we discuss roofing in the modern world. We explore various roofing materials, roofing techniques, and how to find the right roofer.
Part of maintaining your home is maintaining the siding. This means making repairs, even when the damage looks minor.
1. Water Damage Prevention
Even minor damage can allow water to leak beneath the siding. When this occurs, you run the risk of mold growth and wood rot on the main structures of your home. In the long run, this damage will be far more invasive and costly than a simple siding repair. Promptly patching the siding, even if the repair is meant to be temporary, can prevent further damage from occurring.
2. Prolongs Siding Life
Ignoring minor damage can greatly reduce the life of your siding. On wood siding, damaged paint or a crack allows moisture into the wood. This moisture then causes the siding to warp and rot, which means you will have to replace it sooner. On vinyl and metal siding, damage like bends or cracks can make it more likely that the siding piece can be ripped off in high winds or a storm. Dented metal siding may also be in danger of rusting. Repair prevents these problems.
3. Reduces Maintenance Needs
Maintenance of your siding is a must, but damaged siding may require more frequent maintenance. For example, ignoring a rotted section of wood siding means the paint will peel off more frequently, so you will need to paint more often to keep it looking nice. If siding clips are missing or damaged, you may need to constantly straighten out vinyl siding. You can reduce these tasks by making repairs promptly as they are needed.
4. Conserve Energy Efficiency
Damage to your siding can reduce its ability to insulate your home. The siding is the outermost part of the thermal envelope, which is the envelope that keeps moisture out and your heating or cooling in. If the siding is loose or otherwise damaged, moisture can get in while your heated or cooled air can escape — thus costing you more when it comes to your energy bills. Repairing the siding maintains the thermal envelope and maintains the energy efficiency of your home.
5. Saves Time
Repairing minor damage to the siding is a lot less time consuming compared to removing all the old siding and replacing it with new. In fact, repairs can typically be completed in an hour or two, while replacement may take up to a week. Further, you won't just save time with a repair, you will also save money since repairs are less costly than replacement.
Contact a siding repair service in your area for more help.