Why Fall Is The Best Time To Get Your Home's Siding Inspected For Major Winter Savings

Fall is the perfect season for home projects. Whether it's decorating without spending or prepping your yard, the transitional season between sweltering heat and frigid cold temperatures is ideal for getting things done, such as getting your home's siding inspected. 

There are a few significant reasons why fall is the peak season for having your siding inspected and, if needed, repaired. First, autumn's mild temperatures allow caulking, painting, and sealing materials to cure and set correctly for a long-lasting repair. While homeowners tend to take on major home improvements, like siding or roofing, during the spring and summer, waiting until fall to schedule siding inspections and maintenance can potentially lead to better contractor availability or shorter scheduling times (and sometimes, even some discounts). 

Inspecting your siding in the fall also helps prevent major winter damage, not only to the siding itself, but to your whole home. If you've found any potential cracks or holes, taking care of them early can minimize problems caused by freezing and thawing water — think splitting wood or compromised sub-layers of the home. If moisture seeps into the insulation and wood sheathing underneath the siding, it can lead to wood rot, mold growth, and structural damage. Finally, having a pro inspect your siding in the fall is an effective step to find any gaps in the siding. Since rodents and insects look for warm places to nest in the winter, sealing these vulnerabilities now prevents them from taking shelter inside your walls.

Although you now know how to prep your home for cold weather, you might be wondering why doing so in the fall will save you money. Think about it — the end of autumn (and most of the winter season) brings moisture and colder temperatures that could potentially turn small, cheap-to-fix problems into large, destructive ones through the freeze-thaw cycle. Simply put, identifying and repairing siding damage like cracks or loose panels in the fall can prevent water intrusion and structural damage over the winter, which would've otherwise led to significant costly repairs from mold, rot, or compromised insulation later on. 

To avoid costly home mistakes this winter, schedule your siding inspection early in the season. This gives you ample time to complete any necessary repairs before the first heavy snow or hard freeze hits. Having your inspection during the fall (when it's still warm) can help you keep bugs out of your house all winter long — a small price to pay compared to the high cost of pest extermination and the damage they can do to insulation and wiring. Finally, having your siding inspected in the fall ensures your home's thermal envelope is intact. This means your furnace doesn't have to work overtime to fight off cold drafts, allowing you to enjoy lower monthly heating bills all season long.