Spring Exterior Home Prep: Is It Time to Replace Your Siding or Roof?

Spring is the season of fresh starts, and it represents the perfect time to decide whether it’s worth investing in upgrades for your home’s exterior. After months of freezing conditions and frequent precipitation, your property’s roof or siding may be showing signs of wear or even damage that should be addressed before the summer season. Both of these systems play a key role in providing protection from the elements, enhancing energy efficiency, and supporting the structural integrity of your home.

Whether you’re trying to decide between a siding vs roof replacement or you simply want to make sure you’re taking all the right steps to keep your home in great shape, the experts at Craftsmen Revival are ready to lend you a hand. Here are our recommendations for protecting homes in the Chicago suburbs during the first quarter of the year.

Signs of Post-Winter Damage to Your Roof

You can think of your roof as your home’s first line of defense against everything from rain to sun exposure, and any vulnerabilities can create significant problems within your home. For example, a compromised roof could allow for leaks and insidious moisture intrusion that’s costly to rectify, as well as heat transfer that leads to skyrocketing energy bills. Understanding the effects of winter on your roof can help you keep an eye out for key roof replacement signs.

For example, if you notice any of the following, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Craftsmen Revival to assess whether you could benefit from a new roof this spring:

• Shingles that are curled, broken, or missing – Faulty or missing shingles can be a real problem when it comes to keeping leaks at bay, suggesting that a roof replacement may be in order.
• Dark streaks resulting from algae or moss – The accumulation of moisture offers the perfect conditions for algae and moss to grow, both of which can reduce the lifespan of roofing shingles.
• Water spots on the interior of your home – If you notice signs of a leak, you’re already dealing with significant roofing damage that needs to be addressed right away.

Assessing Whether Your Siding Is Ready for Summer

Your home’s siding doesn’t only serve an aesthetic function. As exterior cladding, it protects the structure of your property from the elements and also provides an essential layer of insulation. As temperatures rise, it’s the perfect time to walk around your home and look for issues that could indicate it’s time for a siding replacement.

Examples of problems to watch out for include:

• Warped or soft sections – Warped or rotting siding is evidence of water damage. It’s also a clear sign that your home would be better protected with new siding that’s designed to hold up to local weather conditions.
• Cracks, gaps, and other small openings – Even the smallest openings can become big problems as they allow moisture, pests, and heat through.
• Peeling or fading – These signs of age and sun exposure suggest that your siding is close to the end of its usable lifespan.
• Increased energy expenditures – Are your energy bills rising along with outdoor temperatures? It’s possible that your aging siding is no longer able to insulate your home as it once could.

How Craftsmen Revival Can Help With Your Spring Exterior Home Prep

Need help with your home exterior inspection? Our team at Craftsmen Revival can provide you with expert recommendations regarding a roof replacement or siding replacement. We install premium materials that are built for local conditions and are proven to stand the test of time. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help prepare your home in the Chicago suburbs for the changing seasons.