how to repair old siding

1. Cut piece of faded siding from an inconspicuous spot to replace the damaged section; it'll better match the house than brand-new siding.
2. Use framing square and utility knife to cut through face of siding.
3. Pull siding away from house and cut through the bottom edge with aviation snips.
4. Use zip tool to disengage top of siding from the course above.
5. Lift up the course above and pull the nails holding siding to wall.
6. Cut out the damaged piece of siding, leaving a space 2 inches shorter than the replacement piece.
7. Use the snips to cut away about two inches of the top nailing strip and the bottom J-profile from both ends of the replacement piece.
Install the replacement piece over the existing siding, and attach with roofing nails.
Slide the zip tool along the bottom edge to engage the new piece with the course below.
Install the new piece of siding to inconspicuous place where patch was cut out.

How to tell if your siding needs replacing?

Other modern siding options include:

• Wood
• Brick
• Fiber-Cement
• Stucco
• Stone and stone veneer
• Aluminum

How do I match old siding in need of repair?

• Contact the Manufacturer. If you know the make of your current vinyl siding, contact them about a replacement piece.
• Local Home Improvement Store. Try large stores like Lowes or Home Depot.
• Specialist Vinyl Siding Store. Contact a store online or find one near you.

How do you replace damaged siding?

Make your repair last

• Painting wood siding helps it last. ...
• Do not drive the nails flush or countersink them. ...
• Leave a 1/8-in. ...
• Prevent water from splashing on the siding by installing gutters or repairing leaky ones. ...
• Where siding meets a roof, it will rot if the siding touches the shingles. ...
• Consider replacing rotted areas with fiber-cement siding. ...

How can I replace my siding?

• May lack knowledge and experience required
• Have to acquire all tools for cutting, fitting, and installing
• Purchase materials on your own
• You may find further damage once you begin replacing siding
• Mistakes can be easily made and harder to fix

Can you repair siding yourself?

Vinyl siding is tough but not indestructible. If a falling branch or a well-hit baseball cracked a piece of your siding, don't fret — you can make it as good as new in about 15 minutes with a zip tool and a replacement piece. It's as simple as unzipping the damaged piece and snapping in a new one.

How do you repair rotting siding?

12:4621:18Replacing Rotted Wood Siding | Step by Step Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow if you felt back here that this was a little punky or a little uh rotted in the back you'd haveMoreNow if you felt back here that this was a little punky or a little uh rotted in the back you'd have to cut out plywood. And patch that in but for our uh for our sake good news just the siding rod.

How do you repair damaged wood siding?

7:1911:13Replacing your rotten wood siding! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen it comes to the nails where the nail goes through that and this. If they're still in your way.MoreWhen it comes to the nails where the nail goes through that and this. If they're still in your way. You just feel them with your flat bar get right on and Hammer them up you'll make them go flat.

How do you repair exterior siding?

To patch a hole in wood siding, scrape away any loose paint around the area and dig out the rot inside the hole before you begin. Then sand the area to smooth away any splinters, and mix and apply the wood filler with gloved fingers or a putty knife. Once the filler hardens, you can sand it down so it's smooth.

How do you fix rotten wood without replacing it?

0:033:30How to Fix Rotted Wood with Epoxy | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd uh the bottom of the mullion post was rotted so i cut out the rot i mixed up a two part epoxy.MoreAnd uh the bottom of the mullion post was rotted so i cut out the rot i mixed up a two part epoxy.

What happens if you paint over rotted wood?

The hardener absorbs into the rotted wood to provide a firm base for the paint. If rotten wood is painted without this preparation, the wood will continue to rot and the paint will peel off.

How do you replace rotted wood on the outside of a house?

0:529:16Repair Trim Rot (Skirt Board and Corner Board) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI then switch over to an oscillating multi-tool with the wood blade in it to make the cut throughMoreI then switch over to an oscillating multi-tool with the wood blade in it to make the cut through that line I start by just carefully edging the line with the blade.

How much does it cost to put new wood siding on a house?

Average cost: $9,000 - $18,750 Natural wood siding installations cost $6 to $12 per square foot on average. The national average to install wood siding on a 1,500 square foot home would fall just above $13,500 at about $9 per square foot.

Can you put siding over rotted wood?

If you or your siding pro uncovers severely damaged wood while removing siding, it's important to remove it before installing new siding. If the wood is cracked, you run the risk of water damage and problems, such as the wood collapsing, rotting drywall, soggy insulation, and insect infestations.

How do you fill cracks in siding?

0:431:39How to Repair Cracks in Old Clapboard Siding, Part 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo whether you do a small pin nail hammer nail. Or your nail gun I like to pin it from the bottomMoreSo whether you do a small pin nail hammer nail. Or your nail gun I like to pin it from the bottom and that will hold that nice and tight. And keep it from cracking. Again.

How do you match old siding?

Finding out how to match replacement vinyl siding with existing siding is a task in itself, but it can be done. Take the broken vinyl siding piece to a paint store to get the color matched. Apply a coat of acrylic primer and a coat of acrylic house paint to match the color of the house siding.

Can you use spackle on siding?

0:100:30How To: Spackle Prep Siding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a water-based exterior grade spackle to fill in the rough areas that remain with a 4-inch puttyMoreUse a water-based exterior grade spackle to fill in the rough areas that remain with a 4-inch putty knife spread an even layer of spackle. And smooth it out when it's dried lightly sanded.

How do you fix water damaged siding?

2:144:09Wood Rot and Siding Repair - ProMaster Home Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe got a lot of water stains through here. So the best bet would be to cut out the entire. Piece seeMoreWe got a lot of water stains through here. So the best bet would be to cut out the entire. Piece see what the subfloor looks like underneath here and then replace.

How do you repair rotted horizontal wood siding?

0:076:56Replacing Rotten Wood Siding - Tips, Tricks, How To - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay so um on cedar siding a lot of times we have woodpeckers that'll get at it or just rotten boardMoreOkay so um on cedar siding a lot of times we have woodpeckers that'll get at it or just rotten board on the bottom from water getting at it this house the bottom two rungs we're replacing for this

How do you replace a rotted exterior wall?

2:1017:36Repairing a rotted exterior wall part 2 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo i am going to mark and cut from one floor joist to the next. And then just cut out a smallMoreSo i am going to mark and cut from one floor joist to the next. And then just cut out a small section just pull the carpet back that'll give me my strength across.

How do you repair rotted vertical wood siding?

0:2713:11Siding Replacement Tips for Damage up to 3 Feet from Bottom - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou simply just install some new paper slide it under the old. Paper it's not going to go overMoreYou simply just install some new paper slide it under the old. Paper it's not going to go over remember the water drains.

How long does hardboard siding last?

When hardboard siding is installed and maintained correctly, it can hold up for 30 or 40 years. But without proper attention, isolated areas can begin rotting in only a few years, especially near the foundation. Water splashes up from the ground, frequently soaking the vulnerable bottom edges.

How thick is hardboard siding?

Most hardboard siding is 7/16 in. thick, so set your blade depth carefully to avoid cutting into other courses. Use shims to lift the boards so you can easily get at the one you’re cutting. Finish the cut with a sharp utility knife.

What is the best way to repair wood siding?

The most important step of any wood siding repair is the final process of weatherproofing the repair area with paint (or another type of sealant) and caulk. This essential for protecting not just the wood siding but also the building materials and structural elements behind the siding.

How to repair a broken board?

With your utility knife, slice away the paint and caulking that connects the damaged board to its neighbors. Push the knife all the way through to ensure that the connection is fully broken. You may need to make multiple cuts. Change blades frequently. Extend the cuts a few inches past your vertical pencil marks.

How long does wood clapboard last?

Like any organic building product, wood is subject to decomposition. As long as the exterior paint is stable, wood clapboard siding can last for decades. But even a hairline crack in the paint can introduce water, and water leads to rot and mold. Though wood siding is very strong, a sufficient physical impact can split and crack it.

What is the best tool for plunge cutting?

An electric multi-tool is the best tool for making this type of plunge cut. Since multi-tools are so versatile in home improvement work, it may be worth it to you to purchase one. Fit the wood blade onto the multi-tool. With your safety glasses and dust mask on, turn on the multi-tool and cut on the vertical lines.

Can you excise siding board?

But this is usually unnecessary since it is possible to excise just the damaged portion of a siding board while leaving the other portions of that same board intact.

Can nails pierce board?

Nails pierce both of top and bottom adjacent boards, plus the damaged board itself. These connections make your job trickier because you need to remove the damaged board without disturbing surrounding boards. After the damaged board has been removed, you will cut a new board to size and slip it into place.

Can clapboard be painted?

Your damaged wood clapboard siding board will be firmly rooted in place. All wood clapboard siding is coated in paint, often multiple layers that have been applied over decades. Compounding that, caulking may have been injected into seams at any of the four edges.