Have you ever noticed the white dots that track in a line down the side of your house? If you have siding on your home, you could have these annoying spots. These dots are created by thermal bridging which is caused by heat escaping from the inside of the home.
What Is Thermal Bridging?
Thermal bridging can also be referred to as a thermal bypass or a heat bridge. A thermal bridge is a part or section of an object or area that is more conductive than the surrounding area, allowing for heat to easily move through it. Thermal bridging occurs when there is an area in the home that is not properly insulated, allowing for the hot air on the inside of the home to escape. This can happen around windows, doors, or along separations between studs if they are not properly insulated.
When you see white dots in a line along your siding, it is likely caused by a separation of insulation between the studs. The heat that leaks from inside can create moisture within the wall behind the siding. The nails used to support the studs can react to the extra heat and moisture and cause discoloration in the siding.
Thermal bridging can also cause higher energy bills because as much as 30% of your home’s heat can escape through thermal bridges. As mentioned before, thermal bridging can cause moisture to collect within the wall. This condensation can lead to water damage or mold growth. Water damage can become a bigger, more expensive problem overtime and mold growth is serious because it can cause health risks to you and your family.
How To Prevent And Remove Thermal Bridges
Unfortunately, dots created by thermal bridges cannot be removed from the siding because they are chemical stains. The best way to deal with those dots is to prevent further thermal bridging from occurring and then replacing the siding or painting over the dots. Thermal bridges can be prevented by simply implementing proper insulation. If you are building a house with siding, make sure that you invest in quality continuous insulation or insulated sheathing.
Also if you make the decision to replace your siding, it is advisable to add better insulation from the outside because it is typically less expensive to add insulation from the outside than from the inside. Make sure that windows are properly caulked and that there are no gaps around door and window openings in order to minimize transferring heat. Lastly, verify that your glass is insulated and your doors are properly insulated.
Still Need Exterior Cleaning Services?
Here at Multiman Services, we have many services available to you to help keep your home’s exterior in tip-top shape. However, our services can only go so far. As this article has outlined, we cannot remove marks created by thermal bridging because the marks are essentially little bleach spots. Luckily, if you have more questions regarding thermal bridging or our other services including gutter cleaning, window cleaning or concrete washing, we are here to help. Contact us today for more information.
