It’s something that every homeowner dreads: you’re looking around the edges of your windows, only to discover that you have a problem. Your siding is damaged. As you look more closely, you discover that it’s not only slightly damaged, it’s rotten. This is an invitation for pests to come and chew on your siding, and from there those pests could enter the rest of your home. 

What do you need to do? Make sure that your siding is sound in the first place.

Look at the Top of the Siding 

At the top of your siding sit your fascia boards, gutters, and the roof. Rot from these areas can spread down into the top of the siding, so you need to ensure that they are working well. For instance, if you nail on the fascia boards at the end of the roof and split them a little by accident, it’s easy for water to move through the cracks. If water backs up onto the roof or freezes under the roofing, it can soften the edges of the roof, and this can ultimately extend to the fascia boards and the siding below. Make sure that the fascia boards and roof are treated when necessary, installed securely, and not experiencing overflow water from the gutters.

Look at the Ground 

Another place where siding can start to have trouble is the ground. Water that pools around the foundation can be a serious problem for both the foundation and the bottom of your siding. Look at the slope of your landscaping to ensure that the ground is not moving water toward the base of your home. Look carefully at the gutters too. When gutters spill water onto the ground, they can not only cause puddles, they can also cause foundation and siding problems. A gutter cover system can help by removing the opportunity for the gutter to clog.

Your Siding is Not for Storage 

Are you leaning things against the side of your house? If you have a wood pile, old tools or children’s toys leaning against the house, these could be keeping your siding damp and could cause rot. Make sure that any storage you have is away from the house rather than leaning up against it. According to House Logic, you should “…trim back shrubbery; it should be 3 feet away from siding.” The same applies to tree branches. They should not be touching the house.

Look for Problem Areas 

Every home structure has its common problem areas. With siding, these areas lie in the places where the siding meets other home structures. According to the Family Handyman, “Sidewalls, where a roof abuts a wall, are potential leak spots and rot spots. Good metal flashing prevents these problems.” The places under and around your windows can also get leaky and lead to rot. Check them regularly and make sure that any structures you install take the integrity of your siding into account.

Maintain Your Siding 

If you ignore your siding, chances are you could have a problem but not realize it. For instance, if your paint is peeling or you have moss growing on your siding, that siding could be rotting due to lack of care. Check your siding regularly to ensure that there is no rot and that there are no issues occurring that could provide an entry point for rot.

At Harry Helmet, we know how frustrating it can be to invest in home repair only to discover that your good intentions have been stymied by other problems around your home. If you’re replacing your roof or your siding, make sure that you look at your gutters as well. Gutter replacement can help ensure that your home functions smoothly. Schedule a free estimate today.

Written by Del Thebaud