Why Is My Home’s Siding Falling Off
Are you noticing siding panels missing from your home? Are they peeling, cracked, drooping, or just gone altogether?
If your home’s siding is falling off or damaged, it can cause big problems. Siding protects your home from weather, moisture, pests, and aids in climate control, energy efficiency, and overall home safety. Without properly installed and maintained siding for your home, you could be looking at costly damages down the line.
See common reasons why your home’s siding is falling off and what to do about it – everything from simple fixes and maintenance repairs to what costs you could be looking at if you don’t repair siding right away.
Risks of Damaged or Missing Siding
- Water damage
- Pest infestations
- Energy loss
- Structural deterioration
- Mold and mildew growth
- Decreased curb appeal
- Lower property value
- Higher repair costs
- Risk of interior damage
- Vulnerability to weather
5 Reasons Your Home’s Siding is Falling Off
1. Poor Installation
The most common reason your home’s siding is falling off is because of poor installation. Gaps in the siding, poorly made materials, or inadequate attachment will cause the siding to weaken over time, and more quickly than the expected lifespan.
If you just had your siding installed and it’s already falling off, you want to call the contractor for warranty coverage and repairs to fix the mistake. Sometimes, a poor installation can lead to failing siding even after a few months or a year. Always keep your contract on hand so you can get repairs as quickly as possible.
The best thing you can do, after having your siding repaired, is to contact a second, reputable contractor for future home siding maintenance. Mistakes happen, but you always want the best possible contractor working on your home.
2. Weather and Storm Damage
In Maryland, we see a lot of home siding falling off due to high winds and storm damage. High winds can get into gaps around the siding and yank, pulling weakened siding away from the home. Sun damage that makes the siding crack over time can also allow for rainwater to get in and weaken the structure.
Even the best installed siding can become damaged due to impacts from falling tree limbs, patio furniture, and more. Always check your home’s siding after a major storm or severe weather, including summer storms, hail storms, extreme ice and cold, and aggressive winds.
Getting to storm repairs fast is critical to avoid damaging more of the siding or your home’s structure underneath. Exposed to the elements, you’ll have more expensive repairs than just replacing your home’s siding.
3. Moisture or Mold
Whether from a poor installation or storm damage, moisture leaking under and around siding is a big problem. When moisture gets behind your siding, it can weaken the structure. This leads to damaged siding, siding falling off your home, and even mold growth.
If you notice siding falling off your home, check behind the missing panels for water damage. See if there are gaps, cracks, or other loose installation points where water may have gotten in.
Not only is water damage bad for your siding, it can damage your home’s structure, too. Immediately cover missing siding panels with a tarp to prevent more moisture from getting in and call a local contractor for siding repairs.
4. Pests and Critters
Just like with moisture damage, pests and other critters will take advantage of any gaps in siding they can find. If you’re asking, “Why is my home’s siding falling off?” you want to look for signs of pests, insects, or other critters that have been working behind the siding and out of sight.
Pests like ants, wasps, termites, and other bugs can damage the structural integrity of your home and siding installation. This can make it easier for home siding to fall off and even risks your home’s structure.
Critters may also take advantage of gaps in siding, like rodents. They can build homes, chew away at the home’s structure, damage more siding, and cause lasting problems as they get into your home.
5. Age and Wear & Tear
Siding, like roofing, has a limited lifespan. Vinyl siding should last for 20 years minimum, but this can go upwards of over 50 years with regular yearly maintenance. In Maryland weather, this can be difficult to manage, so always talk to your local contractor about protecting your siding investment.
If you haven’t replaced your siding in a few decades, simple old age and wear and tear could be the reason why your siding is failing. This will likely require an entire siding replacement – siding repairs won’t be enough if all of the siding is aged and failing.
Ask about different siding installations in Maryland, like Hardie Board or LP Smartside, both of which have longer lifespans and better durability against Maryland’s extreme weather.
Call for Siding Repairs Today
Serving All of Maryland: Politz Enterprises
Don’t leave siding repairs to wait. Damaged siding or siding falling off puts your home at risk. The quicker you call for siding repairs, the better chance you have of avoiding an entire siding replacement or having to repair other parts of your home’s structure that have been damaged.
Politz Enterprises Roofing handles roofs, siding, and gutters for homes in Maryland. Call for a free estimate and get our professional consultation on what your home needs to be safe, energy efficient, and protected from the elements. Plus, you could see a home value increase with better curb appeal from a new siding installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my home’s siding falling off?
The most common reasons your home’s siding is falling off include poor installation, weather or storm damage, moisture behind the panels, pest activity, and natural aging of the siding materials.
What risks come with damaged or missing siding on a house?
Risks to your home include water damage, pest infestations, mold growth, energy loss, structural deterioration, reduced curb appeal, lower property value, and higher repair costs.
What should I do if a storm damages my siding?
Inspect your siding immediately after the storm, cover exposed areas with a tarp to prevent further damage, and call a local siding contractor for repairs.
How long should siding last before needing replacement?
Vinyl siding typically lasts at least 20 years and can exceed 50 years with regular maintenance. Maryland’s weather may shorten its lifespan, so timely inspections and upkeep are important. Siding materials like LP Smartside siding and Hardie Board siding have longer lifespans.
Who should I call for siding repairs in Maryland?
Politz Enterprises provides siding, roofing, and gutter repairs across Maryland. We offer free estimates and professional consultations to keep homes protected and energy efficient all year-long.