Why Is My Vinyl Siding Wavy or Warped and Can It Be Fixed?
Did you know that 25% of new homes in 2021 alone had vinyl siding? In fact, vinyl siding is the second most popular siding in the United States right next to stucco.
Vinyl siding’s popularity is likely due to its durability and variation in appearance, but one of the most common problems that you run into with this type of siding is that it can get wavy or warp.
In this article, all your questions about wavy or warped vinyl siding will be answered. First, to better understand the problem, let’s take a closer look at what vinyl siding is.
What Is Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl siding is a type of exterior wrapping made of plastic. While it can have aesthetic appeal, it is also used for protection against the elements. Vinyl siding is not made of any old plastic.
Instead, it is manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. This resin makes the siding very durable and eliminates the need to paint the siding for several years. A big benefit of vinyl siding, beyond its durability, is its affordability.
In fact, it is much cheaper than other types of siding like aluminum or wood siding. You can also choose vinyl siding that matches your aesthetic tastes. This is because vinyl siding can come in several styles and there are many different color options available.
Unlike other types of siding, vinyl siding is resistant to rot and mold, and because there is no wood in it, there will be no need to worry about termites infesting your siding. Vinyl siding is also very easy to clean. If you find that mildew, dirt, or pollen has stuck to your siding, all you need to do is get a power washer to clean it all off.
However, while vinyl siding is full of advantages, there are also a few disadvantages such as warping.
Why might this happen and what can you do about it? Fortunately, if you catch this problem early, you can keep it from getting any worse.
Why does Wavy or Warped Vinyl Siding Happen?
More often than not, wavy or warped vinyl siding occurs because of incorrect installation. For example, the ends of the siding panels may be too tightly attached to your house. This is a problem because of how vinyl siding expands when exposed to high temperatures.
Even if your siding hasn’t begun to warp, you can test if your siding is nailed too tightly. Grab onto a panel of siding and gently move it from side to side. The panel should be able to move about half an inch to either side.
While this half an inch may not seem like much, it is just enough space to give your panels room to expand in the summer. If your siding does not move, it is likely nailed down too tightly. In this case, hire a professional to fix the problem, or try loosening the nails yourself if you know-how.
This same problem can happen if the nails aren’t placed in the right areas at each end of the vinyl panels. The nails for vinyl siding are inside oblong openings in the panels. The nails should be in the middle of these openings, but if they are too far to the side, warping of the panels can occur.
More often than not, these installation faults happen to those who installed their own siding. Warping is a much less common problem when professionals are hired for the job. However, in some cases, nature itself can be at fault.
If your home’s foundation shifts, siding warping can occur, as well as other structural damage. Also, in the summer, your siding might be more prone to warping if it is a darker shade. This is because darker colors absorb more heat.
What To Do About Warped or Wavy Siding
Now that you have warped or wavy siding, what should you do about it? Unfortunately, if your siding is already showing signs, there’s not much you can do about it. This is why you should inspect your vinyl siding every so often, especially with the hot weather we experience in South Carolina.
You can reduce the chances of siding issues by choosing high-quality siding and double-checking that the siding was installed correctly. But keep in mind that even high-quality siding can end up getting wavy or warping eventually.
Once you notice any waves or warping, it is important to address the issue as soon as you discover it. Leaving warped siding to continue warping can leave your house exposed to the elements. It will also make it easier for insects to invade your home.
This, of course, will create more serious problems for your house, especially in regard to water damage and mold growth. As soon as you notice a siding issue, it’s best to hire a professional to remove your old siding and replace it with new vinyl siding.
As this article has outlined, vinyl siding issues should be addressed as soon as possible. If you have warped siding or your siding is wavy give us a call for a free estimate. Now is also the best time to finance your home improvement project. We are offering incredibly low-interest rates and customers are able to replace their siding for under $300 per month! To learn more about our siding replacement services, contact us here.
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