Helpful Renovation & DIY Tips

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Siding Repairs: What to look for and supplies for fixing

How often do you stand back and take a close look at your siding?

If you are regularly cleaning and maintaining your siding, good for you! Siding protects houses from the elements and, when kept in good condition, adds curb appeal and value. Luckily, it’s easy and affordable to repair small holes, cracks and dents in siding yourself.

Now is a good time to get out and make note of your siding’s condition so you’re ready for DIY siding repairs in the spring or summer.

Moisture under the siding increases the risk of rotting wood, infestations of destructive insects, and the cost of replacing siding that is damaged beyond repair.

Wood Country Building Services encourages you to inspect your siding at least once a year; before the repairs get too big or complicated to do yourself.

Be aware of moisture damage

If you find any holes, or warped and separated siding, check for signs of moisture behind the siding, and check the condition of the wood structure. Make sure there is no mould, mildew or rotting wood.

Don’t forget to check around the trim on windows and doors, as well as the fascia and soffits underneath the roof.

The dangers of separating panels

Caulking that becomes brittle or moves away from the panels can expose your home’s walls to insects. It’s best to reapply caulking to a clean and dry surface, but first ensure that the wall underneath is dry.

Swelling boards

Extreme temperature fluctuations and dripping water on your siding can also lead to swollen siding boards. In most cases there will also be water underneath the siding, which can damage your home’s framing. Repair any water damage under the siding before replacing the warped or swollen siding.

Do you have uninvited guests?

If you discover an infestation of carpenter ants, termites or other pests, this could be a sign that your siding or the wooden structure is decaying. Carpenter ants, unlike termites, do not eat wood, but rather chew it to make tunnels to burrow in, leaving a tell-tale trail of sawdust. Carpenter ants are attracted to moisture, so you will need to solve any leaking water issues to keep the ants from returning.

First, get estimates from pest control companies and determine how they will eradicate the infestation.

If you have furry guests such as raccoons, squirrels, mice, bats or birds behind your siding or in your soffits or roof, contact a humane animal removal service to make sure they leave safely and can’t get back in.

You can start to repair the damaged wood structure and walls behind the siding once the infestation is taken care of. Now you are ready to replace the wood framing and panels or insulation before installing new siding or making repairs.

Vinyl Repairs

Repair a small hole or dent in vinyl siding – Fill small holes or dents and then paint it the same colour.

Materials and tools

Sandpaper (100 grit)
Putty knife
Putty or filler for exterior surfaces
Rags
Paint, exterior in same colour and finish as siding

Instructions

First sand the edges of the hole for a smooth finish
Push the putty or filler into the hole with the putty knife, even out the surface and remove extra putty
For deeper holes, apply putty in thin layers, and allow each layer to dry
Make sure the filler is dry
Sand the putty with 220 grit paper when it is dry
Use a damp cloth to clean the repair surface
Let dry
Paint

Replace a section of vinyl siding

It’s best to replace a more extensively damaged panel.

Materials and tools

New siding panel
Siding removal tool
Power drill
Exterior screws
Paint, exterior in same colour and finish as siding

Instructions

Pry out nails and unscrew screws
Carefully remove the damaged siding panel
Check the surface covered by the siding to make sure there is no mould or rot
Insert the new piece into the groove on the piece above it by tilting up slightly. Use your siding tool to help snap it into place.
Make sure the new panel is even with the edge of the panels directly below and above it before screwing it in
Install the new piece of siding with a drill and screws
Paint the siding to cover up any scuff marks or scratches

Vinyl siding corner repair – To repair dented corners on vinyl siding, you can purchase a handy corner repair kit which will cut down the time it would normally take.

Aluminum Repairs

Aluminum siding is easy to repair with a patch. If the panel is more extensively damaged, you will need to replace it. To replace damaged corner caps, remove with a pair of pliers, and extract all nails.

Materials and Tools

Replacement caps
Aluminum nails
Pry bar
Utility knife
Silicone glue
Paint

Instructions

Put a new cap inside the bottom edge of the panel
Nail the cap in place
Repeat for all damaged corner caps as needed
Silicone in place the last cap you are replacing after removing the last nail strip
Clapboard Repair (Cedar, pine, oak, or spruce)
Materials
Hammer
Flat pry bar
Crosscut hand saw with fine teeth
Utility knife
Wood filler
Silicone, caulking gun
Instructions
Remove all nails
Secure the old siding with nails hammered on an angle
Pry off any damaged pieces of siding
Cut a new piece of clapboard with a crosscut hand saw
Add paintable silicone to both ends of the new piece of clapboard
Put the new board into the empty space
Fasten with ring-shank nails
Paint in the same colour as the old siding

Shingles Repair

First locate the nails, then split the shingle to make it easier to remove
Gently remove the damaged shingle using a pry bar and hammer
Insert a flat tool up into the space to remove or cut the nails
Remove any stray wood pieces or nails from the space underneath the shingles above
Slide the new shingle into the space ¼” below the other shingles
Tap it gently up then drive into top corners on an angle
Stain or paint as needed to match the other shingles

Fiber Cement Repairs

Repair damaged fiber board siding by filling dents and cracks with patching compound
Use new fiber boards to replace damaged fiber cement boards or wooden clapboards
Remove the damaged siding, carefully prying out nails for the board immediately above
Cut a new piece of fiber siding to fit the space
Secure the new fiber board in place by blind-nailing the bottom piece first
Hammer in the top piece of the fiber cement siding by driving nails through the old siding
Colour match and paint the new siding

Stucco Repair

Use caulking for minor stucco repairs or use a patch and then apply stucco, and paint.

Larger holes in stucco will need a more involved process to repair, with three different coats of stucco, and more time for drying.

If you need more information or have questions, visit Wood Country Building Services. Our team is always ready to help you with what you need. We're here to assist you in any way we can.