Quick answer: Replace your siding when it is cracked, warped, soft or rotted, dented by hail, pulling away from the wall, or letting water in behind it. Peeling paint or water stains inside, near exterior walls, are a sign water is already getting through. Small, isolated damage can be repaired; widespread damage or failing sheathing means replacement.
1. Hail Damage
Vinyl cracks and aluminum dents in Colorado hail. Look at the side of the house that faced the storm. Cracked or holed panels let water reach the wall behind them.
2. Warping or Buckling
Wavy panels usually mean the siding was nailed too tight to expand, or heat and moisture have distorted it.
3. Soft Spots and Rot
Press on wood or composite siding near the bottom of walls, around windows and under roof edges. Soft spots mean rot, and rot rarely stops at the surface.
4. Cracks and Gaps
Cracks, open joints and gaps at trim let wind-driven rain in. Caulk is a short-term fix, not a cure.
5. Peeling Paint or Stains Inside
Peeling paint, bubbling wallpaper or stains on interior walls near the outside can mean water is getting behind the siding.
6. Mold, Mildew or Fungus
Growth at seams or near the ground can point to trapped moisture.
7. Constant Repainting
If paint fails every couple of years, the siding may be absorbing water.
Repair or Replace?
Isolated damage on an otherwise sound wall can be repaired with matching material. When damage is widespread, the sheathing behind it is wet, or the product is no longer made, replacement is the better investment. Replacing siding is also the time to fix flashing at windows and roof lines.
We install James Hardie fiber cement as an authorized installer. Read our guide to what a proper James Hardie installation includes, and see our siding replacement in Longmont page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my siding has hail damage?
Look for cracks or holes in vinyl, dents in aluminum, and chipped paint on the side that faced the storm. A free inspection can document it.
Can I replace just part of my siding?
Often, if matching material is available and the damage is isolated. Widespread damage usually calls for full replacement.
What siding holds up best in Colorado?
Fiber cement like James Hardie resists hail, fire, rot and freeze-thaw cycles better than vinyl.
Does insurance cover siding hail damage?
Siding damaged by a covered storm is often covered, subject to your policy and deductible. Document the damage promptly.
Get a Free Siding Inspection in Longmont
Josh Brooks Construction and Renovation Inc. is a licensed general contractor in Longmont with 30 years in construction, serving 46+ Front Range cities. We tell you honestly whether repair or replacement makes sense. Call 720-828-7997 or text 720-453-5095.
Licensed. Local. Not a storm chaser.
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