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Algae growth on vinyl siding (C) Daniel Friedman Vinyl Siding Diagnostic FAQs
Q&A on vinyl siding inspection & repair

Vinyl siding defect recognition & diagnosis questions & answers.

This article series discusses common defects observed in vinyl exterior building siding, such as buckling, splitting, cracks, odors, and questions about the need for a vapor barrier behind vinyl siding and over building sheathing. Included are comments from several recognized building inspection and construction authorities.

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Inspect Vinyl Siding for Damage: Examples of Bad Installation, Cracks, Leaks & Other Damage to Vinyl Siding

Horrible vinyl siding job in New York - many defects cataloged (C) InspectApedia.com Daniel Friedman

These questions & answers about troubleshooting & fixing vinyl siding problems were posted originally

at VINYL SIDING INSPECTION & REPAIR - be sure you review the advice given there.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2019-05-31 16:18:33.986354 by (mod) -

I'm sorry but I would need to have an on-site eye to look at your siding and flashing

. We just can't see enough detail in the photos. The parts that are critical are in fact going to be covered by the siding that has already been installed. So besides leak testing one would ir might need to actually remove a little bit of siding to see exactly what was done at the Leaky window

. I agree that one does not normally rely on caulking to prevent a leak around the window in a vinyl sided building.

Chris: IMAGES LOST by Comments Box Code error - sorry. If you can re-post the image we'll be glad to comment further.

On 2019-05-31 by chris

the image of the same unit style with new siding, and different style window trim or flashing?

Thank you for taking the time to look at my issue. Although it was not news I wanted to hear, the honesty about what to do next and information provided is very appreciated.

Took a few days to try and contact a few siding companies and also look for a company or person who does leak tests/inspections if that even exists(have yet to find one for residential).

The two siding installers who did stop by to take a quick look and give estimates, both commented that the top part of the windows flashing? (attached image) should not have been caulked. I finally spoke to the people across the street (same unit style), who also had new windows installed to remedy a leak with wind blown rain. It was still present after the new windows, and then moved onto the siding and trim around the windows.

I got the contact info for the installer they used, as they seemed to be happy with the job and have not had any leaks since, even with strong wind blown rain. I will attach a photo of the siding job if possible could you take a look to see if it looks proper? as we are seriously thinking about using the same installer.

chris

On 2019-05-27 by (mod) -

Chris

So by "middle top" we're referring to the second floor - not the windows in the brick veneer.

Properly the installer would include flashing ABOVE as well as along-side and under each window, properly lapped under house wrap, combined with house-wrap properly-installed to protect against wind-blown rain that might get behind siding anywhere such as near that decorative triangle near the top of the gable end.

Many new windows are factory-provided with a flange that mounts to the building sheathing and that might mean that extra flashing isn't required PROVIDED the window is installed exactly as the manufacturer instructs (we'd need the window brand and model to look into that) AND provided that as I say already, the housewrap and rest of the construction was done properly so as to shed water out rather than into the walls.

Even in that case many builders will use stick-on flashing tape around windows for added waterproofing. (The tape doesn't bond well to all housewraps so I'd rather see it bonding between the window flange and the sheathing board, thus under the housewrap

See FLASHING MEMBRANES PEEL & STICK at https://inspectapedia.com/BestPractices/Flashing_Membranes.php

Caulking the windows afterwards, IF the caulk is meticulously installed MIGHT work to stop a leak from having left out or improperly-installed window flashing IF the leak is actually originating right at the trim around the window top. If the leak is originating higher on the wall, I'm not so optimistic.

So what now. This is a disappointing situation as the siding is all installed so insisting on tearing it off to see what the builder did or didn't do is not going to meet with a smile and probably not with agreement to do so. Some builders might prefer to walk from a job than to have to do it twice. (You've not paid the final bill yet, right?)

Bottom line: caulking after the siding is on is admitting that the original installation was probably incorrect. But it may be the only economical "band-aid" solution.

Watch out: if one window leaks I'd worry that the same crew did all three the same way and that other leaks are going to appear.

IMAGE LOST by Comments Box Code error - sorry. If you can re-post the image we'll be glad to comment further.

On 2019-05-27 19:10:58.910884 by chris

thank-you! attached one from the front that shows the top three windows. If you need a image from a different angle just mention it.

On 2019-05-27 by (mod) -

Chris said:

Had a leak which we thought was due to a bad window. We replaced them, just prior to winter. The first rainstorm in spring and the middle top window in the photos leaked from the top and would just drip down the interior window. Called the installers, and was told it was probably some missing caulking along the top.

They came back and applied some caulking, which I can't really tell as the job is so sloppy, and after reading and looking at some posts here, they should not have caulked the very top?

Trying to figure out, if I need to get new siding, flashing etc, or if its just a bad sloppy job. attached three decent sized photos that can somewhat be zoomed in. any comments or ideas would be appreciated.
photo link on imgur

Moderator reply: We'll take a look, Chris, Please post your photo using the Add Image button

On 2019-01-30 by (mod) -

Robert

I have not seen research supporting the view that hanger or nailing hem stretching is a problem resulting from wind damage to vinyl siding but will do some further research.

In my few insurance companies would agree to remove and reinstall all vinyl siding and are more likely to focus repairs on areas of actual damage.

However before even considering the issue as you frame it I recommend a different investigation: screen all of the building walls, especially around windows and penetrataions where leaks are more likely, for water penetration of the wall cavity. If the wall cavity, insulation, drywall were wet, the potential damage and cost from mold in the short run and rot or insects in longer run could be far more of a concern.

It would also be helpful to know

the country and city where this home is located

the age of the home

its wall con struction

and to see reports on investigations into the question I raise above.

IMAGE LOST by Comments Box Code error - sorry. If you can re-post the image we'll be glad to comment further.

On 2019-01-30 by Robert S

Vinyl siding walls exposed to extreme hurricane force winds. Panels are blown off on some elevations and other panels have holes from flying debris. Insurance company wants to pay to replace just 1 panel (with a hole in it) on an elevation.

I believe that they owe to replace all the panels on the wall because the nailing hems may have been loosened up by the hurricane force winds even though the panels did not blow off

. In addition sand, grit, and dirt have impacted the wall system, hemlocks, nailing, hems, and wall laps. At the least all the panels should be detached, cleaned, and re-installed. Is there any data regarding nailing hems being stretched or compromised by extreme wind pressure?

On 2017-05-06 by (mod) - Georgia Pacific Vinyl siding has developed discolored rings the size of 50 cent pieces

I'd be grateful if you'd send along some sharp photos of the problem, using email found at our page top or bottom CONTACT link - that ma let me comment further.

Perhaps you're seeing an artifact of the nailing pattern or choice of fasteners combined with moisture or air passage behind the siding. It'd be diagnostic to see if the discoloration appears uniformly over the whole building or just in certain areas.

On 2017-05-06 by Ron P.

My Georgia Pacific Vinyl siding has developed discolored rings the size of 50 cent pieces. They are evenly spaced about 6 inches apart. I believe that this siding is defective or not properly installed. I'd appreciate any feedback. Ron

On 2017-04-01 by (mod) - siding damge from indoor bathroom shower?

JB,

I don't think so. Vinyl siding would not be likely to walk or Ripple and responds to getting wet or moisture. More likely would respond to heat. Or occasionally defective product, or rarely exposure to or Splash by solvent chemical.

On 2017-04-01 by JB

Vinyl siding rippled on art shape section off end of house. There is a bathroom wall where this appears to be happening. Could this be as a result the shower beating on the wall the vinyl siding is located?

On 2016-04-15 by (mod) -

Anon:

use the page bottom CONTACT link to send me

- sharp closeups of the damage

- a more distant view showing the whole side of the home

- a note about the direction the chipped side faces, e.g. "South"

Perhaps siding on this side was hit by stones kicked up by a lawnmower

On 2016-04-15 by Anonymous

I just noticed my vinyl siding on one side of the house is cracked/chipped in many locations. All other sides are fine. Why would this be?


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