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Step 1
Understand that painted wood is a high-maintenance siding choice. Large areas of peeling paint with bare wood showing can indicate a serious moisture problem. Check to see if any of the wood has swelled or is rotten.
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Step 2
Know that cedar siding is renowned for its longevity, but it can split like other wood. Inspect cedar siding on the back of a house first, because low-quality cedar boards often are installed in the back. Knots can be found in low-grade cedar. If there are knots, check to see if any have come loose, making the underlying surface vulnerable to water damage.
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Step 3
Note that fiber-cement siding can be made to simulate wood, brick and stucco; therefore, close examination may be required to determine the actual material used on a home's exterior. Fiber-cement siding is typically made by combining wood fibers with cement, sand and clay. This type of siding is considered to be durable; however, it can be vulnerable to cracking if it's not carefully installed.
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Step 4
Consider that problems with vinyl siding can result from poor installation as well. Vinyl-siding pieces should overlap at least an inch to accommodate for the siding's tendency to expand and contract as temperature changes. If the siding is improperly installed, gaps will appear where the pieces don't overlap enough. Such gaps leave the wall vulnerable to water damage.
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Step 5
Check for dents when examining aluminum siding, and look for sections near the ground that may have fallen away from the house. Even though aluminum siding isn't often used on houses these days, aluminum-sided homes are said to hold up well.
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Step 6
Regard brick as a durable home-siding option that is nearly maintenance-free. Nonetheless, brick exteriors can be damaged over time, especially if the installation wasn't properly done. Check for broken bricks and deteriorating mortar joints when inspecting a brick wall. Look for z-shaped cracks in the joints, which may point to a settling problem.
