When was the last time you did a quick walk around the outside of your home? If it’s been a while, you might want to take a look at your siding before the winter weather really takes hold! Your home’s siding protects the internal layers from moisture, and also keeps your insulation dry so your home stays cozy and warm in bitter cold temperatures. Damaged siding might lead to even more issues, so the residential siding experts here at Boak & Sons put together a list of FAQs to help home owners stay on top of their siding problems.

Q: What if my residential siding is already damaged?

A: If your siding is currently damaged, moisture could potentially creep into your home and cause major problems such as wood rot and mold. Plus, if moisture gets into the cracks of your siding and freezes, the cracks could expand and become larger. This is something you should try to address before the snow and ice start to set in.

Q: How do I tell if my siding is damaged?

A: The most obvious sign of damaged siding is visible cracks. Small straight lines where your siding’s edges meet are normal and should be secure. However, if there are cracks or missing pieces of siding on your home, it’s definitely damaged. Another way to tell if your siding is loose is to clean it! This can be done with a pressure washer or a strong garden hose. Your siding will barely move if it is in good shape, but if you notice it moving a lot or, even worse, if it starts to fall, stop immediately! This is obviously not a good sign and your siding will need repaired.

Q: How could my siding become damaged in the winter?

A: There are several ways your siding could be compromised in the winter. Snow and ice aren’t the only things you should be concerned with! Here are some of the most common ways your siding could be damaged this winter:

1. Snow shoveling and plowing. That’s right – you could be the one causing damage to your siding without even knowing it! With vinyl siding, bitter cold temperatures make the material more brittle; even with the high quality siding materials used by Boak & Sons! Our residential siding professionals say that most of their repair calls are due to people who shoveled or plowed snow around their home. The snow hits the siding just right and causes it to crack! Make sure if you’re shoveling to throw the snow away from your home, and keep a safe distance with a snow plow.
2. Ice expansion. If you’re in the northeast Ohio or western Pennsylvania area, you know how potholes in the road work. Water seeps into cracks, freezes, expands and becomes a nuisance. Ice can have a similar effect on your siding.
3. Winter storms. Howling winds and bitter cold can really put your siding to the test. If the weather is severe enough, siding can be peeled right off of your home.

Q: What can Boak & Sons do to help?

A: Our residential siding professionals are prepared to help you keep your home safe and warm this winter. If you have damaged siding, schedule a free estimate with us so we can come out and professionally assess the damage. If necessary, we can do a temporary repair to hold you through winter and make a full repair later on.

All it takes is a phone call to speak with one of our project managers! Call our office at 330-793-5646 or visit our website today!