Your home’s exterior has a tiny crack. You go out and fix it; no big deal. You move on and stop thinking about it because it immediately looks better.
What’s there to think about when it’s fixed? After a few days, the crack returns. But is it a little wider now? And why is the paint bubbling close to the crack?
You might not be aware of this, but you are no longer dealing with a straightforward crack.
It’s a pattern now. There is a very annoying tendency for the problems outside your home to worsen.
They just won’t stay where they started, so frequently what appears to be a minor surface issue is really just an indication of deeper issues.
Read further to know more!
Table Of Contents
- Introduction
- Surface Signs That Usually Point to Bigger Problems
- What’s Going on Under the Surface
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Surface Signs That Usually Point to Bigger Problems
You won’t typically witness anything dramatic occurring on the surface, but that doesn’t mean something important isn’t happening beneath the surface.
Below you’ll find a couple of signs that (almost always) point to very serious issues.
Cracks That Keep Coming Back
Some cracks are just cosmetic; others are problematic.
It’s usually not cause for concern if you notice a thin, hairline crack that doesn’t change in width or length over time.
Materials date (e.g., age, dry out, wear out, etc.), so that’s completely normal. So a bit of fixing/maintenance is basically the norm.
The issue now arises because, no matter how many times you seal it, the crack keeps reappearing.
At this point, you probably start paying MUCH more attention to what’s happening because that nuisance/annoyance stays with you for longer.
There is usually movement if the crack keeps coming back. The movement is never a good thing, even if you don’t know what’s causing it.
With the temperatures going up and down, materials naturally expand and contract, which can stress some areas. The cracks could even mean that your foundation is settling a little.
Such conditions put extra strain on exterior features.
Peeling, Bubbling, Uneven Paint
If paint is behaving weirdly, it’s not random.
It typically indicates that there is something beneath it, and that something is typically moisture becoming trapped beneath the surface.
Moisture can come from many things, like gaps and poor sealing, and as it builds up, it pushes against the paint until the paint lifts or breaks.
Here, repainting is not helpful. Removing the moisture is the only thing that can significantly improve the situation.
Warped or Misaligned Siding
If the panels don’t appear to be straight and tight, you should investigate. Look for any spaces between the panels; if you find any, it indicates that something has moved.
Water getting behind the siding could be the cause of the problem because it can make the structure it’s attached to weaker, or the problem can be tied to incorrect installation.
To put it briefly, if the siding is off, there isn’t a quick fix that will make it better.
Stains and Discolouration That Spread
Every exterior occasionally gets stains, so it’s not a huge deal if you see one or two. That is, until they begin to enlarge and/or darken, at which point a problem arises.
Changes in colour usually mean one thing – water. Over time, that can lead to mold and/or mildew, especially in places that stay in the shade all the time.
Look for patterns here.
You can just clean it and move on if the stain is consistently the same size and colour. Well, if it does change… Cleaning won’t be helpful then.
What’s Going on Under the Surface
Nobody really thinks about how exteriors work, but they’re much more than just something you can see.
Paint, trim, siding, and seals are just a few of the many components that go into your exterior, and they all work together to keep water out and safeguard your home.
Therefore, you’re looking at future issues when that exterior begins to have problems, even if they seem minor.
You’ll most likely need professionals who specialize in complete exterior home renovations, like the ones at Choice Exteriors, to take care of things.
One of the most frequent problems is moisture getting in places it shouldn’t, and the issue with moisture is that it doesn’t take much to get in.
Water can enter through even the smallest opening to cause mould and rot.
Unfortunately, you won’t notice this right away, and damage has already occurred by the time you notice the paint peeling or bubbling.
Plus, materials simply age as time goes on, and as they age, they crack and warp (deteriorate in some way); there’s nothing to be done about that.
Conclusion
Fast fixes are fantastic. However, they are only excellent when you address a few minor “aesthetic” problems. It’s cosmetic; once you restore its attractiveness, the issue is resolved.
If the problem is something deeper, then slapping a bit of makeup won’t fix the issue.
If that’s your current circumstance, it may be time to consult experts who deal with these kinds of problems.
You want that problem fixed at its core so that any nasty surprises don’t pop up later.
FAQs
- Why is exterior design important?
Exterior designs help in fortifying security and also personalizing your space. It further improves your home aesthetics.
- What are the principles of exterior design?
The basic principles of exterior design include proportion, order, repetition and unity, which serve as features to create a landscape.
- How to improve the exterior of a house?
Some of the major ideas that improve the exterior of the house are rendering and installing cladding, painting or even something as simple as upgrading your front door.
- What are the eight elements of design?
The eight basic elements of design are line, shape, form, texture, space, imagery, typography, and colour.
