If your vinyl siding has a few cracks or dents after a long summer of kids playing in the yard and mowing next to the house, it's time to make repairs before winter sets in. Here's a look at why it's important to repair siding damage rather than let it go and how to handle the repairs.

Why Damaged Siding Needs To Be Repaired

If the damaged siding is on the back of the house where it can't be seen and the damage is small, it's tempting to put off making repairs. However, even a small area of damage can lead to bigger problems. It's best to repair siding right away so you don't have to deal with water damage repair later.

Rain can roll under the siding when it's cracked or has a hole. This can cause the side of your house to rot or mold. Plus, a damaged area of siding might affect the energy efficiency of your house, and you probably want to avoid that when winter is coming.

Damaged siding is also unattractive, and it may bug you even if no one else can see it. If the damage can be seen by guests walking to your house, then you may be even more motivated to have repairs done.

How Vinyl Siding Repairs Are Done

If you just have a small hole to repair, you might be able to do the job yourself. However, the results might be visible. You could put caulk over the hole to seal it. You may need to touch up the caulk with paint so it blends in better with the siding.

You could also try patching the damaged area with a vinyl repair patch or even by cutting a small patch of vinyl from a spare panel. However, for the best results, you may want to replace the entire panel if you know how to take off the old one and put on a new panel. Take an old piece to the store so you can find a color that matches.

If the damage covers a larger area, you'll probably want to call a siding repair company for help. Also, it's good to feel under the siding to see if water leaked in. If you find areas of rot or mold, you may want to call a professional for help with the repairs so you don't just cover up damage that continues to get worse.

Remember that vinyl siding has to have room to expand and contract with the weather, so proper installation is essential to prevent warping. If you need to replace parts of the siding rather than patch or seal a hole, calling a siding repair company ensures the repairs are done properly so you don't have ongoing issues with the repaired area.

To learn more about siding repair, reach out to a company like Select Exteriors.