Signs of Winter Siding Damage

The beginning of spring is a great time of year to assess your siding for signs of damage. After a hard winter season with weather concerns such as ice and low temperatures, siding damage from winter and its affects can happen. If missed, small fixable areas of siding damage can turn into larger concerns down the road.

We caught up with Oscar Trejo, LP Technical Sales Manager, to review a few tips for what to look for on your siding as the weather warms up and what to do if you see a problem. If you need new siding after the winter season you can check out LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding, one of the most durable siding solutions—and a great siding option for cold climates—on the market.

Types of Winter Siding Damage

Winter siding damage is common, especially in areas that deal with snow, ice, other precipitation and very cold temperatures. “Ice storms, powerful winds and freeze/thaw cycles can cause damage to siding,” says Trejo. “Heavy snowfall that sits against siding for an extended period of time can also lead to siding damage in the winter.”

"Some of the signs to look for after the winter season are holes and denting, water penetration and cracks," Trejo says. "Mold and mildew, efflorescence, peeling and staining can also show up."

Different areas of the home can show various types of damage as well, so be sure to examine the home thoroughly.

If your home already has LP SmartSide siding, a good installation significantly reduces the chance of damage. “As long as installers follow LP’s required application instructions, there should be a smaller chance of damage due to winter weather conditions,” Trejo adds.

Check out more tips on recognizing storm damage here.

What to Do If Your Siding Shows Signs of Winter Damage

If you see signs of damage, it is best to reach out to a contractor to begin the repair process. Consult this checklist for hiring a contractor to start your project off on the right foot.

Can You Repair Damaged Siding?

Siding can certainly be repaired, whether a full re-side or individual repairs are needed. It's important to attend to repairs promptly and with the right materials for your specific climate.

Siding can become brittle in cold weather, which means choosing a type of siding that can help withstand winter weather is critical for preventing damage in the future. Vinyl siding is particularly susceptible to becoming brittle and cracking, so replacing with a stronger type of siding will help avoid this issue.

Check out this helpful resource for navigating the siding replacement process.

Choose One of the Best Siding Materials for Cold Climates

LP SmartSide Trim & Siding represents one of the most durable house siding options on the market today due to the proprietary LP® SmartGuard® Process. “With this process, which includes zinc borate, resin and wax, the siding is treated and engineered to help resist damage caused by impacts, freeze/thaw cycles, high humidity and fungal decay,” Trejo explains. Extreme temperature swings are one of the main threats to a home during the winter, and LP SmartSide siding offers a great way to help mitigate that threat.

Trejo adds, “At LP, our siding products are designed to perform undamaged for at least 50 years, if the product’s application instructions are followed at the time of installation and maintained.” The LP SmartSide prorated limited warranty can give homeowners additional peace of mind.

Ultimately, Trejo says, "LP SmartSide siding is a great siding option for cold climates due to the LP SmartGuard Process. Our products are ideal for homeowners in areas that deal with long-term snow, ice and cold temperatures with extended exposure to moisture."

Read more about the durability and weatherability of LP SmartSide siding here.