Is Your Siding Damage Due to SC Summer Heat?

The vinyl siding on your home has several very important jobs. Not only does it protect your house from the elements, it also complements the aesthetic of your home. South Carolina’s summer weather can be harsh on your home’s overall exterior, but especially the siding. The summer heat can lead to siding damage that requires repair or replacement. Here’s what you need to know about SC summer heat vs. your older vinyl siding.

Intense and Prolonged Sun Exposure and Fading

Unless your house is protected from the sun on all sides, your old siding can fade with enough sun exposure. South Carolina averages nearly 230 sunny days per year, meaning UV rays are pummeling your house 63% of the time. And although faded vinyl siding won’t lead to interior damage, it does look terrible. Fading leads to patchy, uneven color and whole sides of your home that are lighter than the rest.

Summer Heat and Warped Siding

Heat warping in aging vinyl siding is a real issue, especially during the hot summer weather in the South. Like any other variety of plastic material, vinyl can warp when it gets hot enough. Warped panels not only ruin your home’s curb appeal, they can create a perfect opening for pests to sneak inside. They also leave your home vulnerable to leaks and water damage underneath the panels that have lifted away. Remember that the heat from direct sunlight isn’t the only issue related to warped panels. Sometimes sunlight reflected off nearby windows can warp and melt the siding material.

Weakening and Breaking Down of the Materials Due to Heat

Intense heat can lead to the breakdown of building materials, including the siding on your home. Vinyl siding is particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. However, older vinyl siding is the most prone to damage from summer temperatures. The heat weakens the materials, causing them to pull away from their fastenings. This opens your home to leaks and other damage from water and summer storms. The plastic components lose their elasticity when exposed to heat repeatedly for extended periods of time. This is why older panels are the first to experience the damage that comes when they weaken and break down. And it’s not just the heat that leads to the panel failure, but also swings in temperature that take a toll.

Damaged Siding Panels are a Liability

Panels that are weak from heat exposure and whose materials are starting to break down are more likely to crack than new vinyl siding. Those cracks aren’t just unsightly. They can compromise the structural integrity of your home. The siding, like the roof, protects your home from water and extreme weather; but like your house, it’s not indestructible. When there is damage to your vinyl siding from the summer heat, it makes your home more vulnerable to damage too.

Is it Time to Consider Siding Repair or Replacement?

Not all siding is the same, and older panels are more likely to experience damage from the sun or other external factors. If your siding is damaged from excessive heat or other factors, repairing or replacing it is a good idea– no matter how old it is. When deciding what works best for you, the extent of the damage is a critical consideration. You can repair damage by filling holes and patching cracks and breaks or by replacing whole panels or sections of panels.

When there is damage to more than one small area, it’s often more cost-effective to replace all the siding than to invest in piecemeal patching that can leave your siding looking uneven and unmatched. And if your siding is older, it’s worth looking into replacement, or you might find yourself making repairs every year to keep up with the damage and aging. A reliable roofing and siding company can guide you in making the right choice for your home, depending on the type and extent of the damage.

The summer sun in South Carolina is no joke. The heat and humidity keep many people indoors when the sun is the highest and hottest because it can take a toll. Something else to consider when it comes to the sun is your home’s exterior. The summer heat can really do a number on your vinyl siding. From fading and warping to melting and cracking, the heat can break down the materials, leave them vulnerable to additional damage, and expose your home to pests, leaks, water damage, and more. Don’t take any chances of having more issues from the summer heat. Contact Premiere Roofing for a free estimate for siding repair or replacement.