Across Minneapolis and the Twin Cities, storms can bring high winds, heavy rain, and sudden hail right to your doorstep. One of the spots on your home that’s most prone to storm damage is the siding. Your siding is one of your home’s first lines of defense, and after a rough storm, it can be hard to tell how much damage has developed.
It’s important to know what to look for when checking your siding, since storm damage isn’t always as obvious as a cracked panel or a piece hanging loose. Below, we’ll break down exactly what to look for so you can assess your siding with confidence after the next storm passes through.
Warped Siding
Warping is one of the most common problems that can happen due to high winds and storms. Heat and the moisture from the storm work together to loosen the bond that holds your siding panels in their proper shape, causing them to bend, buckle, or ripple along the surface.
When separation starts, the wind will only make things worse. High winds can grab hold of already-loosened panels and pull them further away from your home, widening gaps and putting additional stress on the surrounding sections of siding.
If you notice warping after a storm, it’s best not to wait until the next round of high winds to address it. Taking care of the problem early can prevent more extensive, costly damage to your siding and the structure underneath it.
Cracks or Punctures
Hail is well-known for damaging roofs on impact, but the siding can also take its fair share of hits during a hailstorm. Depending on the size and speed of the hailstones, impacts can leave your siding with visible cracks, chips, or even small holes, especially in more brittle materials like vinyl or fiber cement.
Cracks and punctures typically only develop due to impact-related damage. If a hailstorm recently blew through the area and you notice cracks or punctures along the siding, it’s very likely due to the hail. Even if the cracks look small, it’s important not to dismiss them. Every crack or puncture is a potential entry point for water, which can lead to hidden damage behind your siding long before it becomes visible on the surface.
Mold or Mildew Growing on Siding
You can find signs of mold or mildew with just a visual inspection. Look for fuzzy or slimy spots and streaks. While mold and mildew are often associated with long-term humidity, they can also show up after a hail or windstorm compromises your siding’s protective barrier. Cracks, punctures, or gaps caused by storm impact allow moisture to seep behind panels, creating a damp environment where mold and mildew can quickly take hold.
Paint on the Siding is Peeling or Fading
Paint isn’t just a decorative element; it actually helps to create a seal between the elements and the surface underneath, protecting your siding from moisture, UV damage, and general wear. Hail, in particular, can cause paint to peel or fade as it strikes the surface with enough force to chip away at the finish or leave small cracks that weaken the paint’s overall seal.
Once you start seeing the paint on your siding begin to peel or fade, protection against moisture and UV rays will begin to break down, leaving the material underneath more exposed with every passing day. Without that protective seal in place, moisture can start to seep into the siding itself, leading to warping, rot, or mold growth that may not be visible until the damage has already progressed.
Water Stains on the Interior Walls
Siding is an important part of comprehensive home exterior protection. It’s not just the roof that keeps your home safe; your siding protects your home from water damage that could otherwise seep into your walls, framing, and insulation.
After a storm with intense wind or sudden hail, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for water stains developing on your interior walls, especially in the days and weeks following the event. These stains often appear as yellowish or brownish patches and can be one of the clearest indications that storm-damaged siding is allowing moisture to seep into your home.
If you spot water stains after a storm, it’s important to have your home inspected as soon as possible.
Missing Siding Panels
Though it eventually comes together in a complete, uniform appearance, siding is installed in layers of separate panels. During periods of heavy wind, these panels can become loose or dislodged. Once wind gets underneath a panel, it doesn’t take much for it to be lifted away entirely, sometimes ending up several yards from where it once was.
Missing panels are hard to miss, but that doesn’t make them any less serious. Once a section of siding is gone, the underlying wall sheathing and insulation are left completely exposed to rain, wind, and pests, which can lead to rapid damage if the issue isn’t addressed quickly.
Call Stinson Services for Siding Repair in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities Area
Your siding plays an important role in the comfort and safety of your home. Stinson Services is here to make sure it’s able to do its job. Our siding repair services in Minneapolis, MN, and the surrounding Twin Cities area are built to restore your home’s protection quickly and correctly, no matter what type of damage a storm has left behind.
Whether you’re dealing with warped panels, cracks from hail impact, or sections that have come loose entirely, our team has the experience to identify every issue and provide lasting repairs.
