7 Signs Your House Needs New Siding

"Siding protects your home from the elements, keeping your family comfortable and safe," explains Jim Eldredge, product manager at Sears Home Services. If your siding has begun to rot or crumble, then it cannot perform its vital role. In cases of circumscribed damage, you may be able to repair only the affected area. But if the rot has spread across the exterior, there's nothing to do but start over, this time with a rot-resistant material. Eldredge recommends Weatherbeater brand siding, because its vinyl composition means it does not naturally decay with prolonged exposure to exposure.

Holes and cracks are unsightly, sure, but such outward imperfections aren't merely jeopardizing the appearance of your home. They are compromising its structural integrity. For one thing, gaps in exterior cladding admit moisture, the enemy of wood. Plus, wherever water gains entry to the home, so too can critters and insects. And while some pests are relatively benign, others are potentially devastating (for example, termites). As Eldredge of Sears Home Services reminds homeowners, "To maintain the integrity of your home, it's essential to replace damaged siding."

If you no longer have the time or energy to maintain your exterior siding, it's only a matter of time before your shift in priorities takes a toll. Before that happens, consider upgrading to low-maintenance vinyl siding. Eldredge says that vinyl, unlike other common siding choices, "doesn't need to be refinished every few years." Plus, "you can clean it with a hose." An added benefit: With new siding, you can dramatically transform the look of your home, selecting from the large variety of colors and textures available in Weatherbeater brand panels from Sears Home Services.

No obvious signs of damage to your home exterior? Check for subtler indications of underperformance. For instance, "if you feel drafts near walls and windows, or around switches and electrical receptacles," Eldredge says, "chances are that additional insulation and new siding would make a huge difference, both in terms of eliminating drafts and saving you money on heating and cooling." Not all siding materials are equal, but the Weatherbeater brand, exclusive to Sears Home Services, includes three levels of vinyl siding rated by Energy Star for their efficiency advantages.

"Take a walk around your property and inspect your exterior siding closely, from multiple angles," advises Eldredge. "In particular, check for any siding that no longer lies flat." Bulging or warped siding panels can be like the tip of an iceberg, warning of hazards hidden out of view. When confronted with evidence that there may be serious damage beneath the siding, don't hesitate to seek a consultation from the pros. At Sears Home Services, Eldredge says, teams specializing in siding repair and installation can provide diagnoses of such problems and advise you how to proceed.

Inside your home, wherever you discover the effects of moisture buildup—be it rot, mold, or mildew—move quickly to "investigate the condition of the same area on the home exterior," says Eldredge. If damaged siding appears to be to blame, then Eldredge suggests that you contact a Sears Home Services siding technician. Assuming there's no explanation specific to the idiosyncrasies of your home, it may simply be that "you need to update the siding, or the insulation, or both." Indeed, though it may seem mysterious at first, that patch of mold or crumbling woodwork may in the end be easy to explain—and fix.

Planning to move? Consider siding replacement as a means of boosting the resale value of your home. Eldredge says that, in all of home improvement, "vinyl siding installation offers one of the best returns on investment." Though the work may come with a relatively steep price tag, owners typically recoup more than half the project cost upon home resale, according to Eldredge. Another confidence booster: For Weatherbeater siding, Sears Home Services provides a transferable limited lifetime product warranty!