Vinyl siding problems installation

When your roof begins to fail, such as shingles that are wearing out and allowing moisture to get underneath and into the under layers, the moisture can also work its way to your siding, causing damage to the understructures. While your siding might look fine, a lot is going on underneath that can lead to major issues later. Furthermore, severe winter weather also takes its toll on siding as ice turns to water, gets into small cracks and freezes again, creating significant damage over time.

After a big storm with high winds or during significant winter weather, be sure to call your contractor and schedule an inspection whether you see visible damage or not. They know what to look for and will recommend the proper fixes, from minor repairs to a complete replacement.

Siding manufacturers are doing a great job of putting out products that are resistant to fading due to sunlight exposure. But they can only do so much, as ultraviolet light will eventually cause discoloration, making for an inconsistent appearance that is rather off-putting.

However, when it is not properly installed, it will generate noise as the wind goes over it. It will also make noise as the temperature fluctuates and the siding expands and contracts. As you can see in the chart below, wood siding incurs the most problems, from pests to moisture to fading and failures due to roof issues. However, with proper maintenance and regular inspections, yours can last as long as advertised.

While vinyl siding is the most popular choice for homeowners, it also has its issues. That being said, the common thread here is that bad installation will impact any type of siding you put on your house. Despite its popularity, there are issues you need to be aware of, including the following:. Heat and cold will cause vinyl to expand and contract. If it is installed properly, it will adjust accordingly and reduce the probability of warping and buckling.

Most vinyl siding is made of polyvinyl chloride PVC , which contains a host of toxic chemicals. Dioxin, a carcinogen, is one of them. Lead, which is also toxic, is present in the stabilizing agent in vinyl siding. The first defense in avoiding vinyl siding problems is to work with a professional contractor with years of experience. Your contractor will spot problems before they become a major nuisance. Finally, make sure the vinyl siding you choose is from a quality manufacturer.

Left untreated, cedar will become a target for moisture. Even the most carefully installed cedar siding will be impacted by moisture over time, but especially if it is not treated.

Moisture will blow in through the seams on a windy, rainy day and be absorbed by supporting structures.

There are roughly seven species of woodpecker in the Midwest, and any of them could target your cedar siding. They generally target the seam between planks and they can go as deep as your insulation while digging for food. While cedar is resistant to warping as most coniferous woods are , if you have unseasoned cedar installed, it can shrink, which will cause warping.

Carpenter ants, powder post beetles and carpenter bees are also on the attack. While any of these can target underlying wooden structures under other siding material types, cedar is a more obvious and easier target than non-wood materials.

Cedar siding needs to be treated to protect it from the elements and from pests. While cedar contains tannic acid, which is a natural protectant against pests, years of weathering can displace the acid. One of the most common treatments include a water-repellent preservative. As with any siding type, installation is vital to its performance.

Fiber cement siding is a popular choice among homeowners looking to get long life out of their siding. Introduced in the s, it now has numerous design options, including colors. James Hardie fiber cement siding is considered among the best of its kind on the market today and is the recommended choice of top contractors.

Despite its durability, it has some issues you should know about. Lock the pieces snuggly with the door and window casing, making sure not to nail too deep, as this can restrict movement.

If you live in cold climates , you may be able to get away with a smaller gap. Fit the initial row of siding, ensuring that the bottom lip of each panel is properly hooked under the starting strip. Nail the vinyl pieces to the wall, keeping your nails 16 inches apart and at the center of the provided nailing slots. Overlap panels at the seams by about one inch or as instructed by the manufacturer. After you have completed the first row, work your way up. Begin each row from behind the house and move to the front, staggering your seams properly and lapping them away from the entrance.

For most people, installing vinyl siding means having to learn something new, and the process can seem a little daunting at first. But once you have fitted the first three rows, things get much easier and it becomes a matter of doing the same task throughout the project. One of the things you need to pay attention to is keeping the panels straight. Your starter strip and corner posts will determine how level the rest of the siding will be, so keep these as straight as possible and check with the manufacturer of your specific vinyl siding for any additional installation tips.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There a small room formed, called wiggle room, which allows the Vinyl siding to contract and expand.

The only remedy stated by the design experts to overcome this problem is to replace Vinyl sliding unless it will start to damage the wall. Before replacing it, you should not forget to inspect the cause of the problem as one common cause can be the lack of wiggle room provided during the installation of the Vinyl sliding. Vinyl siding can crack like the other PVC materials. It can arise because of the impact of a terrible storm. Sunlight is the other reason. Just like all the other PVC materials, the vinyl siding can crack.

Cracking of the siding because of a certain kind of impact after a terrible storm is quite common. Another cause of this problem is sunlight which inhibits the siding to fade and finally crack. It has to be replaced to sort the problem. If vinyl siding is not properly installed then there might be an issue with noise. If it is nailed loosely, then a rattling noise every time the wind blows can be heard and if it was fastened tightly, a popping or cracking sound arises.

In order to solve this problem, go to the part of the wall where the noise is coming from and move the siding panels side-to-side and If some panels are not moving, then the problem is that the siding was nailed tightly. The only solution to this problem is to remove the siding and install them correctly.