I've noticed that my neighbor has had a piece of vinyl siding missing for the past two years, and she seems set on not replacing it. I can see the house wrap (I think it's Tyvek?) under the missing siding from my window. Given that the house is only three years old, I'm worried about the potential damage this could cause over time if it continues to be exposed to rain and moisture. I want to figure out the best way to talk to her about getting it fixed. What's the worst that could happen if she continues to leave it as is?
2 Answers
It might seem concerning, but if the area is under the eaves, it should stay relatively dry even in rain, aside from the worst storms. Ideally, the missing part should be covered to protect it, but unless it starts pouring water into the house, it might not be an immediate crisis. It's more of a long-term concern than anything else, so you might want to back off a bit. It's her house after all, and her decision ultimately.
Leaving that siding off can indeed lead to some serious problems down the line. Excess moisture can cause mold or mildew, and if it starts getting into that house wrap, you're looking at potential rot and even insect invasions. House wrap is usually fine for a little while without siding, but it's not made for long-term exposure. Just keep in mind that while it's concerning, it might not be an immediate problem if the house is otherwise well-maintained.
Yeah, I get that it might look bad, but sometimes it's just not worth stressing over if they're not already having issues with it.