Things That Destroy Vinyl Siding
- Vinyl siding is a popular and durable building material, but it is not indestructible.house siding 3 image by Psycience from Fotolia.com
Vinyl siding is a popular choice for the outer covering of a building. Many homes feature vinyl siding as an alternative to wood siding because vinyl requires less maintenance and it lasts for many years. However, vinyl siding is susceptible to damage from several different sources. Homeowners should be aware of the elements and activity that can destroy vinyl siding. - When severe weather approaches, wind is often part of the storm. High winds have the strength to rip vinyl siding off completely. According to Custom Home Online, the way vinyl siding is installed makes it vulnerable, as a strong wind can force the nails to pull through the holes where they were driven in, breaking apart the holes completely and causing the vinyl panels to rip away from the structure.
Although any vinyl will always tear away more easily in the wind than traditional wood panels, many manufacturers have begun producing siding with a double layer of vinyl at the nail hem to reduce the possibility of wind damage. - The force of falling hailstones can puncture vinyl siding, leaving a home looking as though it has been hit with buckshot. Large hailstones can cause extreme damage to vinyl siding.
Quality siding that has been made with acrylic resins added may be more flexible and therefore less susceptible to impact damage, according to Ask the Builder. - When vinyl siding becomes extremely cold, the material gets brittle and is prone to breakage. This can be a problem during the cold winter months, as any impact on the siding could cause cracks or more severe damage. For example, a stray football striking the side of the house could result in serious damage to some lower grades of vinyl siding.
During installation in cold weather, the hammer used to drive in the nails may destroy the panels before they are completely attached to the house, according to Custom Home Online. - Pressure washing can destroy vinyl siding if the pressure is set too high. Cleaning vinyl siding with a pressure washer may save time over washing by hand, but be sure to set the water pressure low in order to prevent the water from cracking the vinyl.
