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The Big Takeaway:
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Extreme Texas weather takes a toll on common siding materials. Common types of siding damage include warping, soft spots, cracks, or pest damage.
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If you catch problems early, especially after seasonal shifts or storms, you could avoid costly repairs.
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But the ultimate preventative measure is a more durable material, like fiber cement or metal siding.
Siding really takes a beating in the harsh Texas climate. While routine inspections and basic upkeep go a long way in extending your siding’s lifespan, there’s only so much you can do to maintain a material that just isn’t durable enough to protect your home. In this article, we’ll discuss common signs of siding damage that can save you a lot of time and money if you act fast. To learn more, you can read our guide to the best types of siding for Texas weather.
Why Siding Damage Is So Common in Texas
Texas homes face stress that most building materials simply aren’t built to endure indefinitely. Between harsh sunlight (strong UV exposure), sharp temperature swings from scorching to freezing, hailstorms, and high humidity, siding materials are constantly expanding, contracting, and taking impacts.
Add in insects, debris thrown around by strong winds, and the occasional cold snap, and you’ve got a near-constant assault on your home. Of course, how these conditions affect your home’s siding depends on the material. Termites can’t take a bite out of metal siding (though they can infest the wooden frame behind it), but lower-end materials like cheap wood-based or vinyl siding are much more vulnerable.
Generally, here’s what you should look out for:
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Summer heat and UV warping, bubbling, and fading siding
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Cold snaps crack brittle materials like vinyl
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Rain and humidity saturating porous materials like wood
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Windstorms and hail denting, puncturing, or removing panels
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Termites and carpenter ants damaging wood siding
Top Signs of Siding Damage
1. Warping or Buckling
Warping or buckling often occurs with vinyl and wood siding due to expansion in heat and contraction in cold. Poor installation, like nailing too tightly, and trapped moisture can worsen this problem. Common signs of warping or buckling include uneven lines, bulging panels, or edges pulling away from the wall. Warped panels usually require replacement. You should also check caulking and flashing for gaps that may be letting water in, which can cause more damage and may worsen warping.
2. Cracks and Holes
After hail storms or strong winds, you should walk the perimeter of your home and check for cracks, chips, or punctures in your siding. Cold snaps or very cold weather may also cause vinyl siding to crack, even if there hasn’t been an impact. Whether cracks are small or large, they allow water and pests to enter the materials, so all damage should be addressed quickly to avoid a bigger problem later on.
3. Soft or Spongy Spots
Soft or spongy siding typically means you have water damage and rot, which commonly affects wood and wood-based material like masonite or poorly sealed fiberboard. You can test the extent of the decay by pushing a screwdriver into soft spots, but even if it doesn’t go in very far, a soft spot signals rot in progress. That will require removing and replacing the damaged material, and then sealing the area to prevent the damage from happening again.
4. Insect or Pest Activity
If you see small holes, sawdust trails, nests, or visible insects on your siding, you may have insect or pest damage. Unsealed wood siding is especially vulnerable to termites, ants, and other pests. A pest control professional will be able to treat the infestation, but the damaged siding will also need to be replaced. This gives you an opportunity to switch to pest-resistant materials like fiber cement or metal.
We’re Here to Help
Need more information about siding damage or materials that can hold up to Texas weather? If you have any questions or need assistance with damage, contact DFW Roofers at (469) 751-4018 or schedule an appointment through our online appointment form.