Siding Repair or Siding Replacement - Which Is Better For Your Dallas Home?

Are sections of your home's siding broken or rotten? Damaged siding can cause a lot of problems for Dallas homeowners. Water, dirt, and pests can easily get into your home in the broken section.

Many homeowners ask our expert Dallas handyman if they need siding repair or siding replacement. The answer isn’t simple. It depends on your specific situation. This helpful guide will cover the benefits of siding repair vs. siding replacement and help you decide which service is right for your home.

Types of Siding

Before we talk about siding repair and replacement we should cover the popular types of siding that are available for Dallas homeowners. Each siding type has its advantages and disadvantages.

Taking into account the type of siding your home has will help you decide on siding replacement vs. repair. If you go the siding replacement route then it’s always good to be up to date on the latest siding products and their benefits.

These are the most popular types of siding available to homeowners.

Wood Siding

Wood siding is a popular choice for many homeowners. Wood gives your home a natural and classic look and it has a timeless beauty.

Wood siding comes with its unique pros and cons. First, wood siding is easy to paint. You can paint or stain it any color to suit your taste. If you prefer a natural look you can also use a clear stain to protect the wood.

Wood siding is eco-friendly. Many Dallas homeowners prefer to use eco-friendly materials. Wood is a renewable resource, it is biodegradable, and it takes less energy to produce than petroleum siding options.

Wood siding is also easy to repair and replace when it becomes damaged. What you do is fill the small holes with putty or replace any boards if there is extensive damage to the area.

But one drawback of wood siding is its price. Wood siding is one of the more expensive siding options for homeowners. It can be a great investment if you plan on staying in your home for a while.

Either repaint or stain the wood siding every 3 to 7 years depending on the climate where you live. This protects your wood siding from rot and pests.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is inexpensive, easy to install, and simple to maintain. This is another popular choice for homeowners. Like any material, it has advantages and disadvantages.

Unlike wood, vinyl siding will not need to be painted or stained. The color is baked into the material and cannot scratch or come off the siding. However, with time it may fade.

Vinyl siding is one of the least expensive forms of siding. Its slick surface is easy to wash down with a hose and it requires little maintenance.

You can install vinyl siding yourself but it's best to hire a siding professional for proper installation. If you install the siding improperly it can cause it to warp, bulge, or crack.

Depending on your region and climate vinyl siding can begin to show age after 10 to 15 years. Pressure washing your siding can also cause cracks if it is not done properly. Moreover, side planks split because of the expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes.

Keep in mind vinyl siding cannot be repaired. The entire plank must be replaced. Also, vinyl siding is bad for the environment. The process of making this siding produces a lot of greenhouse gases and it uses a lot of energy in the process.

Engineered Wood or Fiber Cement

Engineered wood, also known as fiber cement, is cost-effective and easy to install and maintain. Wood chips are bound together by resin to make fiber cement siding. A resin binder coats the boards and compresses them into shape.

The boards have a grain-like appearance and come in many different colors. Engineered wood costs about half the price of real wood siding and it's easier and less costly to install. This is because it is a lot lighter than real wood.

Engineered wood comes backed by a warranty. Ask your contractor about engineered siding warranties on their products.

Moisture is the enemy of engineered wood. There have been several class-action lawsuits seeking damages from engineered wood companies because of product imperfections.

Generally speaking, engineered products are considered environmentally friendly. They are created and managed in a socially responsible manner.

Fiber cement is similar to engineered wood. It’s known for its special curing process that makes it resistant to warping and easy to paint. It is pretty cost-effective and durable.

However, fiber cement has the same problems with moisture as engineered wood. It is also very heavy and takes special equipment to install.

Stone Veneer

Stone veneer is a decorative home siding that mimics the look of natural stone. It is made with Portland cement and natural or artificial pigments poured into molds shaped like stones.

When properly installed and looked after stone veneer siding will last a long time.

The main advantage of a stone veneer is that it is much less expensive than using natural stone. It is also lightweight and easy for a professional contractor to install.

However, stone veneer is mass-produced and if you look at it closely you will see pieces that are the exact shape and size.

Some stone veneer allows moisture to get in-between the stones and can lead to potential issues with mold. Some companies have come up with solutions to this specific problem so make sure to raise this point with your contractor before you install a stone veneer.

Siding Repair

Now that we have covered a little bit of information on the popular types of home siding you may be wondering,“Do I need siding repair?” Most of the time you can repair siding instead of having to replace it.

Often you can get away with making repairs to the damaged boards instead of re-siding your entire home. There is of course an exception to this rule. If the damaged siding has caused structural issues or it is very advanced you will need to replace the entire siding.

Keep up with proper siding maintenance and make repairs when needed to avoid the need to repair a larger issue down the road.

A siding contractor can come out and take a look at your home. They will be able to see issues with your siding and know where these issues have caused larger structural damages. They can help you decide if repairs or a replacement would be best for your Dallas home.

Signs That You Need Siding Repair or Replacement

Making repairs or replacing siding is a common part of maintaining your home’s siding. Look out for these signs that tell you when it is time to repair or replace your siding.

Rotten Boards

If you notice an area of your siding that is rotting then it's clearly time for a repair. This is common with wood siding and can be an easy fix depending on how far the rot has traveled.

Take a look at the exterior of your home. Look for any boards that are crumbling or beginning to rot. If the rot is in one area, you may be able to repair those specific boards. If the rot has spread you might have to replace the exterior siding.

Replace rotted boards with a rot-resistant material. These special boards hold up well against moisture and protect your siding from decay.

Cracks and Holes

Cracks and holes are common in vinyl siding. It’s easy for a rock or some other debris to fly up and hit your home’s siding leaving behind a hole or chip.

Holes are more than just imperfections in the look of your home. Thay can compromise structural integrity if not fixed promptly. Gaps or holes allow moisture, dirt, or pests to get inside.

Vinyl siding cannot be repaired to fix a hole. Instead, the entire board must be replaced. Luckily, this is an easy fix. You would remove the compromised board and put a new vinyl board in its place.

It’s best to repair holes or cracks as soon as they happen to prevent further damage from taking place.

Skyrocketing Energy Bill

Has your energy bill gone up unexpectedly? This may be a sign that it is time to replace your siding. If you feel drafts near windows or around electrical switches and your energy bill has gone up then you have a problem - these are signs that your siding is too old and can no longer perform its job.

Chances are replacing your old siding with new siding will make a huge difference. It will also save you money on heating and air. Take a look at Energy Star rated sidings and insulation materials. Choose a siding that looks appealing that will also help save you money.

Mold and Mildew

Another common problem of siding is exposure to moisture. Moisture can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew. If you discover mold or mildew in your siding act quickly to solve the problem.

Investigate the exterior of your home completely to see how far the problem has spread. If you notice a damaged spot then perhaps you found the problem area. Damaged siding allows moisture to get inside.

Once moisture is inside your siding mold and mildew can spread across the exterior of your home. Depending on how far the spread is you may need to replace your exterior siding.

If you are asking yourself,“Do I need siding replacement?” and your situation involves mold, then the answer is usually yes. Mold can spread quickly across the exterior of your home. Once the entire exterior siding of your home is molded there is little that can be done to repair the damage.

Prevent this from happening by noticing areas of damaged siding and have them repaired before it is too late.

It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for interior signs of mold too. Mold can show up on the interior of your home.

Look at walls where siding is on the opposite side. Do they have tiny black specs? This could be mold.

Be on the lookout for wallpaper that is sliding off the walls and other signs of moisture on the interior of your home.

Warped Boards

When you are walking around the exterior of your home check your siding closely from multiple angles. Look for boards that are not lying flat. Warped or bulging boards stick out.

These boards are often just the tip of the iceberg and often a sign that there is a deeper problem. When you find a warped board there is probably damage behind it.

The good news is most of the time these boards can be repaired easily. Talk to your siding contractor and they will diagnose the problem and tell you how to proceed.

Should I Hire a Professional?

Many people believe that siding repair or replacement is something that they can do themselves without the help of a professional. Let’s take a look at some things to keep in mind if you are considering making the repairs yourself.

Do you have any experience with siding? If you have experience installing and repairing siding then yes you can probably repair yourself.

Are you making a small repair or re-siding your home? An experienced DIYer could probably take on a small siding project by themselves but if you are residing your entire house that is a different story. You may need to reach out to a professional contractor, or a lot of friends, for help.

What are your timeline and budget constraints? Yes, a DIY job will save you money but it will also take more time to complete. If you think you can re-side your house over the weekend with a few friends, think again.

It can take a professional team a few weeks to re-side a home depending on the size and weather conditions. Consider the cost of your time and decide if it is worth saving a few bucks.

Siding Repair and Replacement Made Easy

Siding repair and replacement are part of your regular maintenance duty as a homeowner. If you are wondering, “Do I need siding repair or replacement?” take a look at this helpful guide. It’s always a good idea to get a second opinion when it comes to siding repair and replacement.

Mr. Handyman of Dallas is your one-call solution for home repairs. Our professional, experienced technicians always arrive on time to respond to your needs.

Request service and have one of our Dallas experts come out and inspect your home’s siding. We can tell you if it's a simple repair or replacement job and get your home looking good as new in no time.