How to Repair Vinyl Siding
Keeping up with siding repairs is a guaranteed way to prolong its longevity. And luckily, most repairs are fairly simple to make. This piece walks you through two common projects: patching and replacing panels.
If a vinyl piece has come apart from its neighbor, the solution is often to push it back up until it locks in place. But if you need to replace a vinyl panel or part of a panel, check your garage or basement to see whether the installer left extra pieces for repairs. Otherwise take a sample to a siding supplier and look for a close match.
Even if you find an exact replacement, the siding on your walls may have faded, meaning that the new pieces will be noticeably darker. If the repair is on a highly visible portion of the house, you may want to remove a piece from a less-visible part of the house (perhaps in the back or behind a bush) and use that as the patch; then install the recently bought piece at the less-visible location.
If many of the pieces are coming apart or buckling, they may have been installed with nails driven tightly; nails should be loose so the material can expand and contract. If that is the case, you may need to remove the siding from an area and reinstall it.
You'll need less than an hour to make most repairs, and the only required abilities are simple cutting and measuring skills. Before you begin, check the siding closely for further damage to determine how large a section of siding needs to be replaced.
What You Need
Hammer
Tape measure
Zipper tool
Flat pry bar
Tin snips
Utility knife
Caulking gun
Replacement siding panels
Butyl caulk (or gutter caulk)
Duct tape
Materials for bracing a patch temporarily
How to Patch a Small Area
Step 1: Cut Around Damage
Use a utility knife to cut around the damaged area. If possible, leave at least 2 inches of siding along the top edge of the damaged piece. Use a zipper tool to remove the cutout.
Step 2: Cut a Patch
Use a square and a utility knife to cut a patch piece that is about 4 inches wider than the area you cut out. Slice off the nailing strip or upper part of the patch.
Step 3: Test Patch
Mark and cut away the side portions of the snap-in flange. Test the patch for fit; it should just slip under the piece above once it has been snapped into place at the bottom.
Step 4: Apply Caulk
Apply a generous bead of butyl caulk all around the cutout. Press the patch into place and push up to snap it in place. Use a temporary brace or duct tape to hold the patch in place for about a day. Remove the brace or tape once the caulk has dried.
How to Replace a Panel Section
Step 1: Pry Out Panel
Use a zipper tool to pry out the panel above the one you want to remove. Slip shims all along the disassembled joint.
Step 2: Cut Through Panel
Use a square and a knife to cut through the panel on one or both sides of the damage. Cut carefully so you do not damage the building paper underneath.
Step 3: Remove Damage
Use a flat pry bar to remove the nails and the damaged section of siding. Cut a replacement panel that is 4 inches longer than the damaged section.
Step 4: Apply Caulk
Apply generous beads of butyl (or gutter) caulk on the adjacent siding about 1/2 inch from the edges of the cutout area.
Step 5: Press in Replacement Panel
Press the replacement panel into the caulk and slide it up. Press on the bottom to snap it in place.
Step 6: Check for Seal
Remove the shims and use a zipper tool to snap it onto the flange of the replacement panel. Press the panel into the caulk, making sure that it seals at all points.