When vinyl siding isn’t installed correctly, your home’s protective layer is compromised, opening it up to damaging water intrusion, pest infestation, and more. Common signs you can look for that indicate your vinyl siding wasn’t appropriately installed are — cracks in your siding, warping or buckling, and high utility bills.
Vinyl siding expands and contracts as temperatures change. Even the most expensive vinyl will buckle and warp if it’s not installed correctly.
Unsure if your siding was correctly installed or not? Here’s a closer look at issues that pop up when siding is incorrectly hung and what you can do to get your home new siding.
Siding Problems from Poor Installation
1. Buckling or warping siding panels
Vinyl siding expands and contracts, so if the installers didn’t leave room for that, you’ll end up with buckled or warped siding. You can check to see if your vinyl siding was correctly installed (or not!) by grabbing the end of the siding where it overlaps another piece of cladding and gently tugging on it. There should be a little side-to-side movement, but not a ton. This is the room the installers left for expansion and contraction as Indianapolis temperatures fluctuate throughout the year.
Bottom Line: If there is no room for your siding to move (side-to-side), it wasn’t installed correctly. An experienced siding contractor will hammer in nails and fasteners securely but not too tightly to deliver optimal performance for your new siding.
2. An uneven look to your home siding
When siding is installed correctly, the contractor checks that their work is level. They use a leveling tool and step back to objectively examine their work. When siding is not installed properly, it takes on a wavy, uneven look that is noticeable—and unsightly!
Bottom Line: Take a look at your vinyl siding from a distance—particularly at areas that aren’t broken up with a lot of windows or doors. If your siding has a rippling appearance, it wasn’t installed properly.
3. Unhealthy dampness in your walls
When siding is installed correctly, it decreases the possibility of unwanted moisture penetrating your house and causing trouble. A waterproof barrier is placed under your siding panels to safeguard your most significant investment from water intrusion. But when siding installation is faulty, water may seep into your home, causing many health problems.
Bottom Line: Rain, snow, and hail could cause moisture to make its way into your home throughout the year if you have faulty siding installation. If you see water stains, apparent leaks, or evidence of mold in your walls, your siding may not have been installed correctly.
4. An increase in your utility bills
If your heating and air conditioning unit is working overtime to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, it could be due to faulty siding installation. While choosing a great siding material is vital to your home’s energy efficiency, that’s not the only ingredient that matters. When siding isn’t installed properly, outdoor air seeps into your home, costing you monthly in increased utilities.
Bottom Line: An experienced siding contractor will ensure your new siding is installed precisely so you get the full benefit of a well-insulated home.
5. Rust marks on your siding
When siding is installed correctly, stainless steel nails are used. Well-experienced contractors use these nails because they resist water damage and won’t rust. If you see rust on your vinyl siding, it was not installed properly. You not only have to deal with the unsightly look of rust, but also the fact that water may be seeping in behind your siding and damaging your home.
Bottom Line: Rusty marks on your vinyl siding are not a welcome sight! They are evidence of faulty siding installation, and you can expect trouble down the road as a result.
Transform Your Indianapolis Home with Eye-Catching New Siding
Get the great-looking, durable, low-maintenance exterior your Indianapolis home deserves. Let us update your siding and discover the joys of a home you love to live in!
At Craftsman Exterior Remodeling, we sit down with you to listen and understand what you genuinely want so we can make sure you are happy with the results. We make a tailored plan designed specifically for your situation and guide you through our proven process to accomplish your goals. Learn more about our siding services.
