Spring in Petaluma, CA brings blooming gardens, sunshine—and the perfect opportunity to check in on your home’s exterior. Winter can be tough on siding, and early spring is the ideal time to catch issues before they become expensive problems.
Whether you have wood, vinyl, fiber cement, or composite siding, each material can suffer from seasonal wear. In this post, we’ll cover the 5 most common siding issues Petaluma homeowners discover in spring—and what you can do about them.
1. Warping and Buckling
What’s happening:
During winter, temperature fluctuations and moisture can cause siding—especially vinyl or composite—to expand and contract. This leads to buckling, warping, or panels popping loose.
What to do:
- Check areas where siding appears uneven or bulged.
- Re-nail or reattach panels that have come loose.
- For severe warping, a panel replacement may be needed.
Pro tip: Vinyl siding should be hung loosely to allow for expansion.
2. Dry Rot in Wood or Composite Siding
What’s happening:
Prolonged exposure to rain and damp conditions can cause dry rot, a fungus that eats away at cellulose in wood and composite materials.
How to identify it:
- Tap the siding. If it sounds hollow or crumbles, it’s probably dry rot.
- Look for discoloration, cracking, or sagging areas.
What to do:
- Remove and replace the damaged section.
- Treat the surrounding area with a wood preservative.
- Consider switching to a rot-resistant siding material, like fiber cement.
3. Mold, Mildew, and Algae Growth
What’s happening:
Petaluma’s damp winters can leave siding surfaces vulnerable to green or black streaks, especially on shaded or north-facing walls.
What to do:
- Mix water and white vinegar or a gentle detergent and scrub with a soft brush.
- Use a hose (not a pressure washer) to rinse.
- Keep landscaping trimmed back to reduce moisture retention on siding.
4. Cracks and Gaps at Seams or Around Windows
What’s happening:
Shifting temperatures cause siding materials to expand and contract, sometimes leading to separated seams or gaps around trim, doors, and windows.
What to do:
- Seal gaps with exterior-grade caulking.
- Check flashing around windows and doors.
- Gaps too large? It may be time for a professional siding repair or replacement.
5. Fading or Peeling Paint
What’s happening:
UV rays from the sun, moisture, and aging materials cause paint on siding to fade, peel, or bubble—especially on older homes.
What to do:
- Scrape off peeling areas and sand down rough edges.
- Use a high-quality exterior primer and paint formulated for your siding material.
- For low-maintenance durability, consider switching to pre-colored siding like James Hardie’s ColorPlus® options.
Spring Siding Tips for Petaluma Homeowners
Schedule a full spring siding inspection in March or April.
Always clean your siding before doing any repairs or paint touch-ups.
Use fire- and rot-resistant siding if you’re planning a full replacement—especially in wildfire-prone areas of Sonoma County.
Petaluma’s weather is beautiful—but not always gentle on your home’s exterior. By identifying these 5 common siding issues early in spring, you can save yourself time, money, and stress down the road.
If you spot any damage and need expert help, 3 Generations Improvements is your go-to siding contractor in Petaluma, CA. We offer inspections, repairs, and top-tier siding installations from trusted manufacturers like James Hardie and LP SmartSide.
📞 Contact us today to schedule your spring siding check-up!
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