As the Colorado Springs population grows exponentially every year and new housing developments spring up practically overnight, there’s one sneaky problem developers bank on buyers ignoring: Quality.
New neighborhoods boast fabulous community amenities and of course buying a brand new home is thrilling! But pricey pitfalls can crop up within the first few years, tarnishing that excitement very quickly.
One of the most common and most immediate issues we see in new developments around Monument and Colorado Springs is water damage due to siding and trim. The culprit is hardboard siding; also called engineered, composite, pressboard, or fiberboard siding.
Pros and Cons of Hardboard Siding
Hardboard siding and trim are very common in Colorado Springs area new developments like Jackson Creek North, Monument Junction, Wolf Ranch, and Banning Lewis Ranch - as well as neighborhoods built by major developers over the last 50 years. The material is an attractive, sustainable, and budget friendly option, however it requires regular upkeep to prevent serious damage. In our erratic Colorado weather with frequent hail, high winds, and heavy directional rain it is very easy for weaknesses like edges, seams, or nail heads to get exposed. Any exposure allows water infiltration and the compressed material will fill with water, causing swelling and disintegration.
Damage Caused by Hardboard Siding or Trim
Even very minimal damage to siding and/or trim can allow water to seep inside your walls, causing structural and health issues. Mold growth is the most recognizable problem, but it can also cause wood rot, electrical hazards, paint and wallpaper damage, and more. Minor damage may be repaired by replacing lengths of the siding or trim, but if it was poorly installed or damage has gone untreated, it will require complete replacement.
How to Prevent Siding Damage
To prevent damage to hardboard siding and mitigate large-scale damage both outside and inside your home, it is essential to perform preventative exterior maintenance every two years. Hardboard siding should be repainted every two years, ensuring all edges are well sealed. Trim and exposed nail heads should be examined for any gaps and caulked. Painting your home can be an expensive maintenance item to do so frequently, but with hardboard siding it’s a must, not an option.
Alternatives to Repainting
An alternative to repainting would be upgrading your home’s siding and trim to a more durable material. When we replace hardboard siding, we always recommend LP SmartSide, which is also a budget friendly engineered material but it has been soaked in a waterproofing solution that makes it last approximately 25 times longer than hardboard. It takes a professional to see the difference, but the quality is night and day different.
How to Repair or Replace Hardboard Siding
If you've encountered damage to your siding or water damage inside your home that may stem from damaged siding or trim, the easiest way to find out is to call us for a free consultation. Our Estimator can examine your siding, trim, and any suspicious areas inside your home to professionally identify if you have damage, if it needs to be replaced, or if it can simply be repaired. He will provide you with a budget and a plan for moving forward to restore your home's integrity.
Call Team Comfort at 719-439-0611 to schedule a free consultation.
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