Why is My House’s Vinyl Siding Peeling?
Discover the reasons behind your vinyl siding peeling and learn effective solutions to protect and maintain your house's vinyl siding.
October 27, 2023
4 MIN READ
As we begin to close the book on summer, it is important homeowners properly inspect their home to ensure it is ready to stand up to winter weather. While it's too early to start thinking about your holiday decorations, time is running out to find and repair any leaks that may have developed during an unusually stormy summer. Making a claim and scheduling a repair/replacement can be a long process filled with many obstacles, and before long your project may have to wait until next spring—leaving your home susceptible to costly winter damage.
First is is important to know if you have any active leaks that need to be addressed. Walk though your home starting on the top floor, or attic if you can safely access it, and slowly walk from room to room. As you do check the ceilings and walls for any stains. While your home can develop water spots anywhere, they commonly form in corners where the ceiling meets the wall. Once you have completed to top floor, slowly work your way through the rest of your home until every room has been inspected.
If you find a water stain it is important to gently place your hand on it to test if it is still damp. If it is you have a better chance of tracking down the leak. Depending on where it is in your house you can attempt to trace the leak back to its source. For example if you are on your top floor, you may be able to follow the stain into your attic, and see exactly where it is working its way in. Regardless, if it's damp or not, note where in your home you are, and if possible focus of those areas when completing your exterior inspection from the ground.
If you complete your inspection and find no signs of water damage, you may not have an active leak, but that does not mean your home isn't at risk of developing one in the future.
We strongly recommend hiring a professional, like Lifetime Quality, if you want someone to get on your roof to inspect it thoroughly. Not only do they understand the nuance of roof damage and assessing risk-of-leaks, they also have the experience to maximize their safety when on your roof. With that being said; however, that does not mean homeowners can't inspect their roof at all. While not as thorough, it is possible to complete a preliminary inspection from the ground. This allows homeowners to focus on areas of concern and spot any major issues that need immediate attention.
Try to find a spot outside where as much of your roof as possible is visible. In the front this is usually is looking at your house from the curb, and in back it usually tends to be closer to the property line of the backyard. If possible grab a pair of binoculars or use your phone to zoom in to get a better look. Once you have that and are in position it is time to start the inspection.
Keeping in mind what you uncovered during your interior inspection slowly scan the surface of your roof. Make sure to focus in on any particular problem spots. Check to see if any shingles seem loose, are missing, or appear to be significantly cracked or damaged. If it is a windy day, you can also check that no shingles are unsecured and being lifted up.
If you notice any major damage be sure to document it, and note if it appears to be related to any stains you discovered. This will help guide a professional inspection and make it more thorough and effective. If you don't notice any major damage, hiring a professional is still recommended to ensure any hard-to-spot or hidden damage is uncovered.
While you can complete this during your exterior inspection from the ground, it is important to be just as thorough when inspecting your gutters. When it comes to winter weather, the most common cause of water leaks are ice dams. Ice dams are accumulated ice build-up, usually along your gutter system. This ice acts a natural dam, which holds snow and water in place on your roof. Overtime this moisture build up becomes too much for your roof and water begins to work it's way into your home. While ice dams can occur on any home, they are more common on homes with clogged or damaged gutter systems. Damage or debris can reduce the amount of ice necessary for a dam, causing them to form quicker and more frequently throughout the winter.
When inspecting your gutter visually first looking for any dings or dents. These tend to be the easiest to spot and can weaken the gutter causing more damage. Also make sure to look for any visible debris or clogs and make sure to not any problem areas. Finally, check the shingles or roof directly below your gutters. Often damage and debris cause water to overflow and drip onto your roof. This causes visible erosion and damage that, if left untreated, can turn into a severe leak.
If you uncover any damage it is best to contact a professional and walk through your findings with them. While the damage you found may be obvious, they will still perform a more thorough inspection and ensure all damage is found and documented. This is important, especially if they determine the damage is the result of a storm. When making a claim on your roof, it is important to understand the breadth and scope of the damage—doing so gives your claim the best shot at being approved.
Some homes have large and complex roofing systems, making it hard to inspect from the ground. If you are having trouble seeing your roof call a professional. Never attempt to climb on your roof yourself. Not only can it be incredibly dangerous, many homeowners miss hard to spot damage. This can leading to further damage and improper documentation, which increases the chance your claim is denied.
As summer is coming to a close Lifetime Quality wants to make sure your home was unaffected by summer storm and is ready for winter. Starting now can help make sure your project is completed this year, so you don't have to end up waiting until next spring. We are proud to offer FREE peace-of-mind inspection—giving you confidence your home is ready for winter. We are your local experts for all things roofing. From asphalt shingles to clay tiles out team is equipped to handle it all. Our open and transparent process will ensure you make the best decision for you and your home. Reach out today and experience the Lifetime Quality difference.
