Replacing Bad Siding

Ask this old house general contractor tom silva helps a homeowner repair sections of his vinyl siding that have holes.

Replacing bad siding. The heads will break the paper face allowing water to soak in and. Score down the damaged lap siding with a utility knife. The sheathing and framing sometimes need repairs too but that is less common. Trim a replacement piece of siding to the same length as the damaged piece.

Cut fiber cement. Remove the nails on. Thoroughly paint all exposed edges and grooves. Subscribe to this old house.

To replicate the. After all siding does wear out. Do not drive the nails flush or countersink them. Seal these joints.

Start by removing the corner trim pieces that cover the siding ends. Having the tools readily available before you begin working makes the removal and replacement. If the old vinyl has faded or you can t find the right color take the broken piece to a paint store and have the color matched. Place the flat end of the pry bar or the nail.

Remove damaged siding remove the deteriorated hardboard siding using a pry bar and chisel being careful not to damage. We tear off the damaged hardboard and replace it with fiber cement siding. Replace rotten sheathing if needed replace the sheathing behind the siding using 1 2 plywood covered with builder s. Here s how to repair damaged clapboards also known as bevel or lap siding.

How to replace external cedar siding tools and supplies. Make your repair last prime the back and edges of the new siding. Remove the nails in the corner cap. But perhaps it should be.

The best way to get a replacement piece is to take the broken piece to vinyl siding distributors in your area and find the closest match. Replacing a home s siding may not be at the top of most homeowner s to do lists. Gap at corner and butt joints. Cut through the board on each side of the damaged area using a backsaw or a hacksaw.

Use a pair of tin snips or a utility knife to cut the siding and place a straightedge on the piece to keep your cut. How to repair and replace siding step 1. How to remove and replace siding. In most cases the original layer of building paper or housewrap at the bottom of the wall was enough to prevent water infiltration and damage beneath the siding.

In fact unless there is a specific and urgent problem with a home s siding replacing the siding may not be on the homeowner s radar at all.