Vinyl Siding Damage – Tualatin, OR

Moisture Damage from Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding damage has become a nightmare for many homeowners.  If you’re a victim of vinyl siding damage, than look no further, we can help!  As a general contractor in Oregon, I’ve witnessed many homes with vinyl siding damage and major damage to the layers of the home below the vinyl siding.  Many homeowners think that vinyl siding is a one-time, maintenance-free installation.  However, as time goes by, they prove to be wrong.  Below are some of the most common drawbacks of vinyl siding.

Vinyl Siding Damage – Tualatin, OR:  Common Issues

1.  Fades After A Few Years

Faded Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is available in many different colors and price ranges.  The cheapest ones are most susceptible to fading and discoloration.  After a few years, you will find that the siding has lost its appeal and you may have to replace it.  Even the more expensive siding can fade over time.

2.  Warping and Buckling Problems

If vinyl siding is not installed properly on a home’s exterior, warping and buckling will often result.  If the installer does not install the flashing properly, damaging leaks can occur with moisture causing significant vinyl siding damage under the surface.

If the installer attaches vinyl siding boards to a house tightly with nails, preventing the pieces from moving, the result will be warping and buckling.  A simple test will diagnose tight siding installation.  Grab a siding panel in your hand and try to move it back and forth.  If the siding has a correct installation, it should move about 1/2 inch both ways.  If you cannot move it, it’s too tight.

Moisture Damage from Vinyl Siding

3.  Moisture Issues

Vinyl siding does not have a waterproof design.  In fact, it is specifically designed to prevent an airtight seal over the exterior surface of a home.  For this reason, the home must have a waterproof barrier installed over the exterior of the house underneath the vinyl siding.  This waterproof barrier is what holds moisture away from the house and prevents it from absorbing into the structure.  If the installer makes mistakes with the waterproof barrier, moisture issues will result in vinyl siding damage.

4.  Mold and Algae on Siding

Algae on Vinyl Siding

Mold on vinyl siding appears as a white or gray powder with tiny specks of black.  Areas of the siding that do not receive direct sunlight and that have a high moisture level often develop mold.  Eliminate areas around the siding that contribute to shade, such as shrubs that touch the house and trap moisture near the siding surface.  Algae often appear on vinyl siding also.  Differentiate mold and algae by color.  Algae will create an unsightly black, brown or green discoloration over the surface of the siding in areas that stay moist and damp.

5.  Improper Flashing

When installing vinyl siding, special flashing trim pieces surround the edges of the siding and structural elements such as doors and windows.  If the flashing isn’t installed properly it will leak and cause major moisture damage to the structure of your home.

6.  Noise

Because rising does not have tight seal against a house, wind may create unpleasant noises as it moves the rising pieces.  Some homeowners notice loud clatters and squeaks during windstorms as the loose vinyl siding pieces move in the wind.

7.  Lowers Property Value

Vinyl siding does not enhance property value, unlike wood, stucco or stone.  It can be unattractive to many buyers, especially in upscale neighborhoods.

VINYL SIDING damage – LOCAL AREAS WE SERVE

Oregon:  Beaverton, Bend, Canby, Central Oregon, Clackamas, Dayton, Dundee, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Hood River, Keizer, Lake Oswego, McMinnville, Newberg, Oregon City, Portland, Sherwood, St. Paul, Tigard, Troutdale, Tualatin, West Linn, Wilsonville, Woodburn and more.

Washington:  Bellingham, Bremerton, Camas, Centralia, Chehalis, Edmonds, Everett, Federal Way, Fife, Kalama, Kelso, Kent, Kirkland, Long Beach, Olympia, Pasco, Port Townsend, Ridgefield, Seattle, Vancouver, Woodland and more.

Champion Property Improvement is a preferred general contractor and remodeling contractor in Oregon.   We have repaired many homes with vinyl siding damage in Tualatin and throughout Oregon.   Call us today for a free consultation at 503-969-6613.  We’d love to earn your business!