No matter what part of your home or business is impacted, water damage can be a big mess that no property owner wants to discover. One feature of your home that you may not associate with water damage issues is your siding. Your siding is one of several features that protects your building from the outside elements. When it gets compromised, it’s a repair that you should tackle sooner rather than later. Water damaged siding can lead to rot, mold, and other serious structural problems that only get worse over time.

At McMahon Services and Construction, we are experts at locating and stopping water damage, and we can handle all types of siding repair and replacement as well. In this article, we will share what you need to know about water damage to the siding at your home or business, and how to get the help you need with any necessary repairs. 

How Does Water Damage To Siding Happen? 

Since siding is designed to keep moisture out of your home, the fact that it can get damaged by water may seem confusing. However, water can penetrate your siding from many sources. Clogged gutters and downspouts, damaged flashing around doors and windows, severe weather like storms and humidity, old siding that needs replacement, and even landscaping issues like a sprinkler in the wrong place can cause water to get under your siding. 

When Water Gets Through My Siding, What Types of Damage Can Occur?

When moisture penetrates your siding, it can cause numerous problems. Here are a few of the most common issues that we see, from Evanston to Schaumberg.

Mold and Mildew

Can you see mold, mildew, and fungus on your siding? This is usually a sign that water is penetrating your siding and causing underlying damage. Typically, you’ll notice this mold and mildew growth on the parts of your property’s exterior that are damp and shaded. 

Beyond what you can see, more mold will be growing on the underside of the siding.  Mold thrives in damp and dark places: If there is water under your siding, this is the perfect place for it. The mold can eventually cause structural decay and penetrate the interior of your home, where it can have adverse effects on your health. Mold can cause health problems including allergic reactions, asthma, itchiness, and sneezing.

Rotted Wood and Sheathing

If water damage is left unchecked, it can cause rot that will begin to eat away at the wood that forms the very structure of your home. The wood sheathing under your siding is another layer of protection for your home. Once water gets in underneath your siding, the sheathing beneath it becomes vulnerable to wood rot and mold. If the water damage is left untreated for too long, you may have to replace the sheathing and other wooden structures under your siding. 

Damaging Insects 

Once your home’s protective layer has been compromised, pests will find their way in. A moist environment with lots of rotting wood is the perfect home for termites, cockroaches, carpenter ants, and other destructive pests. These insects can cause even more damage, and it can take a long time to remove them, even with professional help from an exterminator. 

Basement And Foundation Damage

One of the biggest problems that can be caused by water getting under your siding is the damage it can cause to your home’s basement and foundation. From superficial mold to structural damage, long-term water penetrations can cause problems like warped door and window frames, and dangerous wall and foundation cracks. 

How Can You Tell If Your Siding Has Water Damage?

When water gets in beneath your siding, you may see many of the signs we explained above, but there are also a few other ways that you can spot it. 

Damaged Siding Panels: Water damaged siding panels can be warped, cracked, or look lumpy. You may also see discoloration, streaks, mold and fungus growth near the siding panel seams. 

Cracked and Peeling Paint and Caulking: A common sign of water damage is peeling and cracking exterior paint and caulking. Even worse, once the peeling and cracking starts, it’s even easier for more water to get into your home.  

How Lake and Cook County Homeowners Can Get Help With Water Damaged Siding 

If you have noticed any of these issues with the siding at your home, rental property or business, it’s time to stop the damage and get professional help. At McMahon Services and Construction, we are experts at locating the source of the water damage, stopping and restoring the damage, and replacing any parts of your exterior that have been damaged. Due to our wide range of services, we can handle your project from start to finish, including partnering with your insurance agent if you need to make a claim. Don’t let water damage compromise your property – contact us today.