Warped Siding is a Common Problem

A question I get from readers time and time again is about vinyl siding that looks “wrinkled” even when it’s new. Many people think warped siding is an environmental problem and that too much sun and heat or even the contrasting winter cold is what’s creating the damage. Little do they know that warping has very little to do with the weather and a whole lot to do with how it’s put on the home.

Let’s start with the real name of the problem. Siding that is wrinkling or warping is actually called “oil canning” or “stress buckling” and it happens when the siding isn’t installed properly.

All homes are made of natural materials such as wood, which expand and contract with seasonal changes. People love vinyl siding because it’s very low maintenance and offers fantastic curb appeal, but a DIY or inexperienced install can actually make a house look much worse, even with very new siding. 

Every house needs to expand and contract. While it might seem logical to nail vinyl siding tightly to make sure it doesn’t come loose, doing so will actually cause the panel to buckle because it can’t “breathe” with the house. That’s why most vinyl siding panels come with longer nail slots instead of small holes. It gives everything room to move and shift. 

Another possible siding installation pitfall is leaving too much overlap between panels. While you might think this creates a stronger bond, it actually restricts movement, causing the siding to stretch and then buckle in the same way.

Back to my reader’s question. Is there ever a time when the sun might cause siding to warp? The answer is not really, although I have seen damage from sunlight reflecting off an adjacent window. The only other thing that could cause an issue is your gas grill, so keep it far away from the house.

Once oil canning happens, the siding has to be replaced. Because the issue is installation, the product’s warranty is worthless and the manufacturer isn’t going to be responsible for the defect. While removing panels is pretty straightforward, it can be tough to get a color match if the siding is a bit older. 

These are all the reasons why it’s so important to work with a contractor who knows what he or she is doing. If you’re going to tackle this job on your own, make sure you do your research and know all the common mistakes that can be made. You don’t want all that hard work to result in a home aesthetic that’s anything less than perfect. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Remodeling That Sparks Joy and Recoups Costs

According to data released in the 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, homeowners and families were quick to renovate their living spaces this past year, with varying degrees of overall satisfaction and cost recuperation. 

The study, released by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), looked at why people decide to remodel, the general costs of specific remodeling tasks and the fulfillment experienced after a successful project has been completed. Many homeowners surveyed were driven to undertake a project due to the pandemic, either to increase living space, improve functionality in the home, or create a more enjoyable environment.

The report states that Americans spent $420 billion in 2020 on home remodeling ventures. Ninety percent of NARI members cited greater demand for contracting remodeling work during the course of the pandemic and 60 percent said the scale of the projects grew into larger projects during the course of work.

The report also calculated consumers' feelings toward their projects upon completion. Projects that made the renovators want to remain home, or remodel jobs that sparked an increase of enjoyment among occupants, received a high Joy Score, with 10 being considered a perfect Joy Score. Some tasks that were awarded scores of 10 were as follows: painting a home's entire interior, painting one room, adding a home office, hardwood floor refinishing, closet renovation, and insulation upgrades, among other labors.

Hardwood floor refinishing received a 10 Joy Score because the homeowners felt happiness and satisfaction in their home after undertaking the upgrade. Sixty-four percent of those polled answered that they have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are at home now that their hardwood flooring is installed. Another 64 percent said just thinking about the completed project gives them a "major sense of accomplishment."

Adding a new home office is another task that earned a perfect Joy Score based on homeowners' sentiments. Ninety-one percent of consumers said they have a greater desire to be home now that their office is in place. Seventy-three percent said they have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are home.

The report also examined numerous remodeling tasks and provided a cost recovery estimate for the projects. The genuine cost of each remodeling project and cost recovery are influenced by many factors, including project design, quality of materials, location, age and condition of the home, and homeowner preferences.

For interior projects, the highest percentage cost recovered was from refinishing hardwood floors at 147 percent. New wood flooring was at 118 percent, and an insulation upgrade was at 100 percent. Among exterior projects, new roofing and a new garage door both recovered 100 percent of the project costs.

If a remodeling project is in your future, know that great contractors are in high demand and material costs are more expensive due to supply chain issues related to COVID. Be prepared to be patient, but remember that an upgrade to your home is an investment and a great result is worth waiting for.
Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Roof Cleaning for a Health Upgrade

If your roof has black, streaky stains or mold and moss growth, a roof cleaning might be just what you need to maintain both the look and the health of your home. 

A stained roof is generally one that has begun to accumulate algae. Spores get carried by the wind and birds and the issue is generally invisible until there is enough moisture, heat, and humidity for them to grow and spread. Homes that aren’t properly insulated and ventilated are also susceptible to the problem because they hold onto moisture a lot more easily than houses with proper airflow.  

If you have staining, the first thing you want to do is find out if your issue is cosmetic or something more serious. Ideally, I recommend that a homeowner gets a roof inspection at least once a year and late spring is one of the best times to do it. During an inspection, a roofing professional will check the entire surface area for shingle deterioration or damage, cracking around the flashing, and will also ensure that water is draining properly through the gutters and downspouts. Something as simple as debris build-up can void the warranty of a roof, so it’s well worth having an expert come and take a look. They will be able to tell you if your stains are something that can be taken care of with simple cleaning or if there is a bigger issue.

If your staining is cosmetic, a roof cleaning takes a few hours depending on the size of the area and one application does the job without the need for pressure washing which can damage the shingles. A roofing expert will use a professional cleaner that adheres to the growth but doesn’t harm the roof or any vegetation below it. Working on a roof is a very dangerous job and I never recommend for a homeowner to do a task like this themselves unless they are very comfortable on a ladder and with heights. No home maintenance task is worth a trip to the emergency room. 

If your roof staining is showing up in the attic, your home is one of many in this area that doesn’t have the right airflow and you may want to discuss insulation and ventilation with a qualified roofing professional. Mold and algae in the attic can easily start to affect the air quality in your home, which is especially worrisome for elderly adults, young children, and anyone with respiratory issues. Don’t put this problem on the back burner, talk to an expert right away.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.