Home Inspection Checklist: Your Siding

Your siding around doors and windows can become a major leak zone. Even if the windows and doors are well shuttered in a storm, wind-driven rain can penetrate the house at these points. This problem becomes more severe when they have not been properly flashed and weatherproofed.

How do you know when your siding around doors and windows is in trouble?

Inside & Outside:

• Leaks or breaks in seams around window trim and sills
• Uneven doorframes
• Discolored plasterboard
• Peeling wallpaper
• Chipped or cracked stucco finishes
• Mold, mildew, or rot in the walls, insulation, and electrical systems
• Missing, cracked, or blistered paint inside the home

How do you repair your siding?

Use Flashing: Flashing is a critical part of your home’s weather barrier system. If not properly selected and installed, wind-driven rain, ice and snow can leak and quickly cause damage to your home. 

You can use flexible flashings such as GCP Applied Technologies’ VYCOR® Plus to seal the most vulnerable spots, including windows, doors, corner boards, and other non-roof detail areas. It is designed to work in severe winter climates, milder climates, and in coastal areas where wind driven rain is common. Flashing, like VYCOR® Plus, is a critical part of your home’s weather barrier system.