Preparing for the Cold, Part II: Vinyl Siding

As today marks the first official day of fall, it’s getting more and more important to get your home prepared for the upcoming winter months.

A few weeks ago, we discussed the importance of your windows and doors in “winterizing” your home.

But to make sure your home is ready for the winter months, there’s an additional item to add to your checklist: your home’s vinyl siding.

Vinyl siding is always an important part of your home, but it becomes especially important during the winter months. Not only does vinyl siding help keep your home insulated, but it also helps protect your home from the outdoor elements.

And with ice and snow headed our way in the upcoming months, protecting your home from the elements should be a No. 1 priority.

Not only will you want to prevent weather from damaging the structure of your home, but you’ll also want to prevent other outdoor elements – like animals – from damaging your home. Small holes in your siding could allow bugs or tiny animals (mice, squirrels, etc.) to enter your home or further damage the exterior.

How can you make sure your home’s vinyl siding is ready for the upcoming winter? Here’s a quick checklist –

Check for obvious damage. If your vinyl siding doesn’t look like it can hold up over the course of the winter, it’s time to consider replacing the siding. Even if it seems minor now, damage to your vinyl siding (cracking, warped or buckled siding, etc. is only going to get worse as the weather gets colder and create even bigger problems when it does.

Remove vegetation or storage items against the house. It’s never a good idea to put additional pressure on your home’s vinyl siding, and it becomes even more important during the winter months. A thick blanket of snow on the ground may look beautiful, but it could cause problems when putting pressure on your home’s vinyl siding.

Check for fungus/mold. Although it seems relatively harmless, fungus or mold on your vinyl siding could be a sign of a much larger problem. The presence of fungus or mold could be an indication of moisture – which means potential damage to the materials behind your vinyl siding.

Related Articles: Preparing for the Cold, Part I: Replacement Windows and Doors, Benefits of Vinyl Siding

Have a question about your home’s vinyl siding? Contact one of our home improvement specialists today!

Want to learn more about getting your home ready for the winter months? Check out “Preparing for the Cold, Part I: Replacement Windows and Doors”