There are few things worse than having the siding on your home fail to do its job—especially if it’s due to poor installation work. Your exterior needs to protect the more vulnerable areas of your house’s structure from leaks, wood rot, mold and mildew, and a host of other issues. So when siding fails, it’s no joke.
If you’re seeing signs that you might have siding issues, it’s important to have them assessed and addressed. Here are 5 of the most common issues that can arise from faulty installation—and how it pays to have your siding work performed by trusted siding experts who care about doing the job right.
Is Siding Truly Hard to Install?
The short answer is, Yes! This is not a job for the inexperienced. The fact is, proper siding installation is harder than you realize.
Unfortunately, siding can easily be put on wrong by installers who aren’t experienced in proper techniques. And this leads to all sorts of problems that can compromise your home. Since siding is so essential to protecting your property from moisture and weather damage, and adds so much to your curb appeal, investing in a professional siding contractor with a strong track record of satisfied customers is well worth it.
Common Siding Problems Due to Faulty Installation
Wondering whether your siding wasn’t properly added to your exterior? Here are the issues that begin to crop up when siding is incorrectly hung:
1. Higher Utility Bills
The goal of siding is to provide more insulation for your home, not less. Today’s products have been created with a host of features that can help make your property more energy-efficient.
But you only get that benefit when the installation is done right. If not, you may see your heating and cooling costs spiking.
A professional, experienced siding contractor will assess your Michigan home’s needs and recommend the most energy-efficient materials to suit it. They’ll also ensure old exterior products are fully removed, surfaces are properly prepped, and siding panels are appropriately overlaid, caulked, and nailed in place—all of which provides your house with top-notch protection and insulation.
2. Mold, Mildew and Excess Moisture
Temperature swings, spring and winter storms, and everyday wear and tear can all lead to opportunities for moisture to sneak into your home. You may see this manifest as water stains, leaks, and brown or black mold spots.
You or your family members may even experience coughing, sinus problems, and irritation to skin and eyes because mold and mildew can lead to allergies and health issues.
Properly installed siding reduces excess moisture through precise application of a waterproof barrier underneath the exterior panels. This keeps dampness from creeping into your walls and causing problems.
3. Rippling Appearance
To create a pleasing look for your siding, the contractor team should regularly check that their work is level. This can be done with a leveling tool, as well as stepping back to examine the work from a distance as boards are set in place.
When this isn’t done with precision, it tends to create an unappealing, wavy, uneven look to your siding that is especially noticeable in areas that aren’t broken up with a lot of doors and windows. It looks messy—and your home deserves better.
4. Warping or Bulging Spots
Another way to spot an inferior siding job is to study your exterior for areas that are warped, bulging, or cracked. This is a sign that the siding panels were not installed to allow for the minor movement they need as weather and settlement cause them to expand and contract.
An expert siding company knows what your type of siding needs to stay firmly in place without undergoing this type of damage. They’ll hammer in nails and fasteners securely, but not too tightly—just the right balance for optimal performance. This attention to even the smallest details is hard for DIY-ers or inexperienced contractors to match.
5. Rusty Nails and Rust Marks
If you’re thinking that rust marks are a natural part of aging siding, think again! Visible evidence of rust along your home exterior is actually a sign of improper installation techniques.
Siding should be hung with stainless steel nails that resist moisture damage. And you can expect experienced contractors to know this and have the proper materials to do the job right. This is important not just because rust is unsightly, but it also means excess moisture may be doing damage to your siding and what is underneath it.
Benefits of Hiring a James Hardie Preferred Contractor
Fiber cement siding provides gorgeous, long-lasting protection for your home—much better than wood or vinyl—but it also requires precision workmanship. It’s weighty and must be carefully carried and set in place by at least two people.
To ensure that homeowners enjoy all the advantages of this luxurious, high-performance siding, the James Hardie company has created a thorough training and assessment program. Contractors that successfully install Hardie siding and provide trusted, professional services can receive certification that assures homeowners they’re getting top-notch work they can count on.
With a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor, you can have confidence that your siding is correctly installed and that your 30-year, non-prorated, transferable warranty is protected. This makes choosing professional, well-trained installers well worth the investment.
Get Precision Installation that Creates Peace of Mind
Enjoy confidence in your home by having your siding properly and professionally installed. At John McCarter Construction, we are a James Hardie Preferred contractor—which means you receive top-notch craftsmanship and customer service from the moment we meet you through the completion of your siding replacement.
Discover how James Hardie siding will transform your home.
