Vinyl siding is durable but it is not immune to damage. There are several common types of damage that can be a problem on your siding. The following guide can help you recognize these as well as provide information on fixing the issue:

Problem: Discoloration

Discoloration is most often a result of mold, mildew, or algae growth on the siding. This will normally look black, brown, or greenish in color. You can remove it by power washing at a low to medium setting, or by scrubbing the siding with a deck brush and dilute bleach solution.

White discoloration can be a result of mineral buildup, particularly if it follows the spray pattern of where the sprinklers hit the home. A lime remover or even a bathroom cleaner made to tackle mineral deposits can solve the issue without damaging the siding.

Problem: Wavy or warped siding

Waves and warping most commonly occur because of heat. You will often find warped siding in an area where heat occurs, such as if you use a grill near the siding or on the side of the house that receives the most summer sunlight.

Sometimes minor warping can be straightened out with the aid of a heat gun. It is best to call in a siding repair expert to do this repair unless you are skilled in heat gun usage since it is relatively easy to put a hole through vinyl with heat.

Problem: Cracks or punctures

Hail or blunt force are the culprits for this type of damage. There are two methods to fixing it. The first is simply to patch the damaged section of siding. This works best for cracks or very small holes. A vinyl patch is applied in a color that matches the siding. This fix isn't invisible, but it is inexpensive.

The other option is to replace the siding panel that is damaged. As long as you either have extra siding that matches on hand or the manufacturer still makes the color, you can get an exact match. If an exact match isn't available, then your option will be to find the closest match possible. You may be able use a siding panel from a hidden area, such as from the back of the house or from behind a bush, to repair the damage. You can then put the almost-matching replacement panel in the area where it is least likely to be noticed.

Contact a siding repair contractor for more help.