What Causes Loose Siding?
Loose siding is a common problem found in many homes. It is caused by water damage or other factors that weaken the integrity of the home’s exterior. If you notice problems with your siding, it may be time to call for professional repairs. We will review what causes loose siding and offer advice on how to solve these issues.
Common Causes of Loose Siding
1. Age Of the Siding
As exterior parts of a house age, they can become worn down and develop problems. As this happens, it becomes easier for the siding to become damaged by other factors. The older the home, the more likely it will suffer from siding issues. Through the average life of a home’s siding, it will begin to show signs of wear and tear. This might include cracks or other damage that can lead to loose siding.
2. Climates and Weather
Extreme weather conditions can contribute to the wear and tear of siding, causing problems. As outdoor temperatures fluctuate, parts of the home are exposed to more or less heat than they are used to. This causes expansion, which can lead to warping in some cases. Also, high winds can cause siding damage by simply blowing against it repeatedly.
3. Poor Installation
If your home’s siding has been installed poorly, this may not be compatible with its surroundings. This can create stress on all sides of the material that contributes to the loose siding on an exterior wall.
4. Water Damage
Water damage is one of the leading causes of loose siding. This happens due to moisture entering the home and causing both walls and siding to expand or contract in different ways. Eventually, this leads to problems like warped surfaces, cracks, and other issues that make your siding less effective at protecting your home.
5. Termites
Termites can also cause loose siding by eating away at the wood materials used on your home’s exterior. Once they are inside a wall or opening an exterior surface, they will begin eating away at the structure itself. If not stopped early, this will lead to severe structural problems with homes over time.
How Can Insulation Impact the Fit of Siding?
Where there is a gap between the insulation and siding, it can allow water to flow in. This will probably cause warping problems, as well as the loosening of your home’s exterior.
Solution
If it is an older home that has experienced weathering and other factors like this, it may be time for a tear-off and replacing with new materials. If you do not want to replace all of your material at one time, we recommend using paint on the entire exterior wall to protect against further damage.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Loose Siding?
1. Maintain the Weather Stripping
Weatherstripping around doors and windows can also keep rain and wind out of certain areas where they might cause problems with loose siding. It only takes small amounts of water to begin damaging wood materials over time. By taking steps like winterizing these vulnerable openings, you can prevent further damage or warp that may lead to the loose siding on an exterior wall.
2. Water Damage
Avoiding moisture is the best way to prevent problems with your home’s siding. If you find cracks or other damage, it is essential to deal with this immediately. Also, watch for signs of foundation issues that may be leading to leaks in certain areas of your property. These can cause significant problems and lead to loose siding quickly.
The loose siding on a home’s exterior is one of the leading causes of structural damage to homes. Many different factors can cause it, but most are related to weather conditions or problems with maintenance over time. By taking steps like resealing windows and doors, winterizing your home, and avoiding moisture, we can prevent the emergence of loose siding on an exterior wall. It’s also important to watch for signs of termites and take action quickly if you notice any evidence that they might be damaging your property. After all, prevention is critical when it comes to protecting our investments.
Even with your best efforts, however, sometimes loose siding is inevitable. In those cases, there’s a simple, effective, and inexpensive fix – Master Key’s loose siding fasteners. Check out our video below to see just how Master Key’s loose siding fasteners work.
To purchase loose siding fasteners, click here.