Homeowners in and around the Triangle appreciate the budget-friendly and appealing appearance of vinyl and cement board siding. However, these materials can often develop vexing issues such as warping, buckling, or cracking if the siding installation was not done correctly.
If your siding is displaying any of these troubling signs, it’s crucial to quickly identify the root cause to prevent any further damage to your home. Below are some of the most common reasons behind damage to vinyl and low-quality cement board siding. Discover how you can address these problems and come out ahead by installing long-lasting, sturdy James Hardie Siding.
What Causes Issues With Vinyl and Cement Board Siding?
Heat Exposure
Here in North Carolina, the harmful UV rays from the sun can cause warping or melting of your vinyl siding. Placing heat sources such as barbecues, stoves, and firepits too close to your exterior can also cause your vinyl siding to melt. In addition, sunlight reflecting off your neighbor’s windows can lead to siding melting if the homes are located close enough together.
If you notice any heat-related damage to your siding, it’s essential to repair the boards immediately and relocate any and all heat sources away from the exterior to prevent further damage. If you suspect that your neighbor’s windows are causing the damage, you can request that they install window screens or you can plant trees, shrubs, or other sources of shade to block the sun’s rays.
Water Damage
Water damage is a common reason for siding to warp, buckle or crack. When your Raleigh home is not adequately waterproofed, wind-driven rain and heavy snow can penetrate your boards, causing the exterior and structure of your home to decay.
If you suspect that moisture infiltration is the cause of your siding deterioration, it is vital to take immediate action to prevent further damage to your home. Please contact us immediately so we can assist you in removing the damaged boards, installing weatherproof plastic house wrap and securing your home with long-lasting James Hardie siding.
Home Moving or Settling
Over time, older buildings may experience settling that can result in cracked or buckled siding. While this is not a frequent occurrence, it’s essential to take quick action if you notice loose panels, wavy siding, or significant cracks. These issues often indicate a severe structural problem that could endanger your family’s safety if left unaddressed. Be sure to us ASAP to assess and repair the problem.
Raleigh Weather Conditions
Raleigh is well known for experiencing extreme climate changes with very hot summers and rather cold winters, providing residents with the opportunity to enjoy all four seasons. However, these weather conditions are often detrimental to the longevity of vinyl siding. Vinyl can contract in cold weather and expand in warm weather, causing the siding boards to crack, warp, or buckle as temperatures rapidly rise and fall. While it is not possible to control the weather here in North Carolina, homeowners can opt for a durable, weather-resistant alternative, such as James Hardie siding, to protect their homes.
Pest Problems
While not as common as in other parts of North Carolina, here in the Triangle, pests such as termites, ants and wood bees can cause your siding to buckle when they dig into and damage your home’s structure. Furthermore, woodpeckers may drum on your vinyl or cement board siding, causing cracks, holes, and other types of damage to your exterior.
Poorly Installed Siding
Regrettably, your damaged siding might just be the result of poor workmanship.
When the boards are fastened too tightly to your home’s exterior, it can lead to cracking of the siding. Furthermore, siding that was not properly installed on your exterior may start to warp, ripple, or become loose over time.
Furthermore, if your contractor did not place a house wrap beneath the siding during installation, your home may be susceptible to water-related damage, which can cause your siding to develop cracks, leaks, and other problems.
Old Siding
Over time, your home’s siding will experience wear and tear, leading to warping, buckling, and cracking. If you have had your siding for a decade or more and have started to notice some damage, it may be time for a replacement.
To avoid encountering the issues mentioned above, it is best to avoid using vinyl or low-quality cement board siding. Instead, opt for a durable and weather-resistant solution, such as James Hardie siding, to protect your home’s exterior.
Cheap Siding
If the exterior of your house is covered in cheap vinyl or cement board siding of poor quality, then it is susceptible to various problems such as cracking, shrinkage, buckling, warping, and delimitation.
Moreover, the quality of different vinyl siding brands varies, and if your home has been installed with a low-performance product (which is quite common with the track homes built here in the Raleigh, NC area), then you may encounter problems with your siding more frequently.
If you have any questions or concerns about your home’s siding, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Triangle Painting & Siding. We would be glad to assist you in selecting long-lasting and dependable brands of siding, like that from James Hardie, that can provide superior protection for your home.
James Hardie Siding: The Fix For Cracked, Warped or Buckling Siding
The good news is that there is a long-lasting solution to eliminate siding cracks and warps once and for all – James Hardie® fiber cement siding.
The fiber cement siding from James Hardie is crafted by combining cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers together, making it highly durable, resistant to weather and pests. James Hardie siding is also specifically designed to be fire-resistant, ensuring that it won’t melt, and enabling it to endure the extreme weather conditions we see here in North Carolina.
Moreover, high quality fiber cement siding is built to last. The Hardie siding products are backed by an industry-leading 30-year, non-prorated warranty, ensuring that your investment is secure and reliable.
Triangle Painting & Siding – The Siding Replacement Experts
If you would like some professional help with your siding repairs, Triangle Painting & Siding is here to help. Simply contact us today to get your free siding repair quote. We proudly service the entire Research Triangle area, including Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Apex, Wake Forest, Clayton, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale, Morrisville, Durham and Chapel Hill, NC.
