Why Inspect Your Fiber Cement Siding After A Massachusetts Storm
Top Reasons To Check Your Hardie Board Siding For Potential Storm Damage
We know how fast and forceful Massachusetts storms can be, sneaking up and wreaking havoc on our homes and buildings. As problematic as it can be, noticing storm damage sooner than later can prevent more issues and money spent later on. Whether you have fiber cement or vinyl siding, storms can cause mayhem long after they move out to sea.
After a hail, rain, or snowstorm, doing an exterior visual walkaround of your home is crucial, ensuring you don’t see any immediate damage. As a homeowner, it’s essential to be thorough when checking for damage, as you may not easily spot storm damage at first glance.
Unnoticed and unattended damage to your siding can present a slew of trouble down the line. As tree limbs or hail batter your home’s exterior, the damage can threaten the structural integrity and lead to leaks and water damage.
What Should You Look For When Inspecting Your Home’s Siding?
When inspecting your siding after a storm, look for major sources of damage, such as fallen trees, broken heavy limbs, hail marks, and other forms of debris. Apparent damage, such as these, will most likely need immediate attention and require the assistance of a tree removal service.
It’s important to note that you should never touch fallen electrical poles, lines, or wires, as these are extremely dangerous and require the help of your electrical company. Take photos of any obvious siding damage, as your insurance company may need evidence for claims. Plus, it’s beneficial to keep proof of the damages for yourself if you ever need them in the future.
Any large dents, cracks, or holes in your siding are definite signs your siding has been compromised. If you don’t run across any major damage indicators, inspect more closely, looking for more minor signs of storm damage.
If something looks off to you, get closer and look more thoroughly, as it’s easy for water to seep through small cracks and separations in your home’s siding. Look between the valleys and ridges of your siding, ensuring these areas are also free of cracks. Even the most minor fissure can allow water to seep through and damage your home.
What Your Siding Damage May Indicate
If you notice cracks, dents, scrapes, or other siding damage, you likely have subtler damages underneath. Because siding protects your home’s structure, outwardly visible signs of damage may mean nothing more than the need to repair that particular siding panel.
However, it can become a bigger problem when your siding damage goes unchecked. For instance, if your home’s hidden structures weren’t damaged during the storm that cracked your siding, the cracked siding leaves your structure vulnerable and susceptible to damage during the next storm.
Moisture, water damage, and mold are all possibilities for siding damage. Though these may not be visible immediately, getting your siding repaired as soon as possible is critical to avoid further issues.
What To Do If You Spot Damage Or Suspect It
If your siding has damage or you suspect an underlying issue, it’s best to call a siding professional to do an expert inspection. A knowledgeable and skillful technician can easily spot siding damage and notice hidden damages invisible to the naked eye.
With special tools and years of experience, true professionals can spot and stop damage in its tracks, diagnosing the problem before it becomes bigger. Often, a siding expert can save you time, money, and energy by helping your home avoid further water damage.
They will know exactly what to do to fix the problem and be able to give you an accurate estimate for the cost of damages. Having an expert opinion and an estimate at your disposal is also extremely helpful when dealing with insurance companies when you go to file a claim. You’ll be better prepared, more informed, and more likely to get the money you deserve.
What Are The Best Sidings To Prevent Storm Damage?
As a homeowner in Massachusetts, you must be prepared for a number of different weather elements. From our summer thunderstorms to our relentless winter ice storms, our homes endure almost every kind of extreme weather. Our ever-changing and expansive climate means our siding must always be up to par.
James Hardie fiber cement siding is the number one choice when it comes to durable, reliable siding in New England. It’s five times thicker than vinyl, has the life expectancy of brick, and is specifically made through advanced technology to handle our climate.
HZ5 Hardie siding is particularly built to resist damage from snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, keeping your home safe and your family comfortable. Hardie siding is so tough that it’s non-combustible when exposed to fire, letting you sleep easily at night.
When You Notice Storm Damage To Your Siding, Our MA Construction Company Is Ready To Repair
At Solid State Construction, we’ve been repairing and installing siding for our Massachusetts customers since 2006. We’re expertly trained to diagnose, repair, and install every premium siding, from James Hardie fiber cement to wood and vinyl. We only offer the best to our customers, safeguarding your home as best as possible.
Plus, our James Hardie siding comes with a limited transferable 30-year warranty on installation and materials, a 15-year trim warranty on installation and materials, and a 10-year weather-barrier warranty, giving you complete peace of mind and maximum value for your money.
Give us a call today to book a free siding consultation!