Homeowners need to know that snow and ice can become destructive once winter sets in to avoid causing any further damage to the siding of their homes. Siding materials will often have the main purpose of protecting your home but there are a few problems that extreme winter conditions such as snow, ice or freezing temperatures may bring with them. It is imperative to learn about these problems and their solutions to prevent cases that might lead to further damages other than cost you a lot of money restoring safety and security through the harsh winter months. Choosing the professional Gaithersburg siding contractors will help you to prevent these siding issues caused by snow.
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Most Common Siding Issues Caused by Snow and Ice (And How to Prevent Them)
1. Ice Dams and Water Damage
The most frequent issue with snow and ice is ice dams that appear at the roofline of a residential or commercial building. Ice dams form when, due to heat loss through the attic, snow melts and the water, flowing down the roof, freezes again at the eaves. These dams hinder adequate drainage allowing water to accumulate beneath the shingle or siding. This leads to water falling behind the walls and entering your home leading to rot, mold and a massive amount of damage to the siding and structure.
Prevention Tip:
Insulate your attic adequately and allow proper ventilation to avoid heat buildup, which causes snow to melt early on. As an alternative, you may try heated cables on the eaves that melt the snow before it finally settles as ice. Let water flow freely by keeping the gutters free of debris accumulation.
2. Cracks and Warping from Freeze-Thaw Cycles
The freeze-thaw cycle occurs when water enters your siding’s tiny cracks and freezes with temperature declines. During freezing, water expands and, therefore, makes the crack bigger. It is during this period that the water melts away once it gets warm outside, but the cracks in the siding remain to cause weak siding. Over time, this process will make your siding warp, crack, or fall off completely.
Prevention Tip:
Make sure your siding is intact before the winter season sets in and look for any small crevices that water might penetrate into the house. Vinyl and wood sidings are very vulnerable to the harms of freezing water, therefore, to avoid the situation when it will cause a worse condition, it is necessary to control the problem.
3. Mold and Mildew Growth
Snow and ice that takes a long time to melt can cause water to seep around your siding and encourage growth of mold and mildew. They will cause your siding to lose its color, emit foul smells, and sometimes even break down. It is especially typical for the areas with defective water outflow and where snow accumulates on the exterior of the house.
Prevention Tip:
Ensure your siding is well ventilated to afford aeration and evaporation of moisture. Clear the snow from the base of your siding, making sure that there isn’t any pile-up that will trap the moisture. If mold and mildew already appear, use a mold remover in the area to stop growth.
4. Ice Accumulation Under Siding
If there is a snow or ice buildup around the bottom, seepage can go behind the siding, putting pressure on the siding and, therefore, making it move or buckle. Prolonged effects might eventually lead to other major structural damages like buckling or detachment of the siding.
Prevention Tip:
Keep snow and ice off the bottom of your siding by removing snow from your home after each snowfall. Proper installations around your home for drainage, including French drains or gutters, will help prevent icing near your siding.
5. Fading and Discoloration
Snow and ice do not inherently contribute to the fading, but the powerful sun once a storm has passed leads to a build-up of UV exposure on portions of your siding still wet or affected by snow, over time it can start causing fading to the color in your siding, mostly when you have wood or vinyl siding installation.
Prevention Tip:
Installation of quality siding, designed to withstand fade and UV damage, will also ensure that cleaning keeps the siding looking new. Consider the application of a protective coating to help extend the appearance of siding that may need replacement in your home.
Conclusion
Winter can indeed be harsh to the siding of your home, and you can prevent some very common issues related to snow and ice by taking a number of precautionary measures: regular inspections, proper insulation, cleaning. All these steps can go a long way in preserving your siding and avoiding costly repairs as a preventive measure that will keep your home safe, secure, and looking great this winter.
Looking for a Siding Repair Company in Maryland? Contact us to get professional siding repair and inspection services to protect your home during colder months.
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