Although judging a book by its cover is not always nice, it is something everyone does when they first visit your home. Your exterior siding says a lot about your home. This is why you should make it a habit to inspect them regularly, and fix any broken spots that are rotting or coming off. More importantly, you should learn the processes involved in patching or replacing siding.
Here are a few insights that will help you complete this delicate, DIY project. If you need to do any access tower hires in the UK, remember to take a look at our selection. If you’re located in London, we offer nice equipment rentals there as well as smaller areas like Ely.
Inspect The Siding
Before you can start ripping things off and attaching new sets, it is important to assess the existing condition of your exterior walls. If the siding’s damage is only in one spot, then you should be able to just patch it. Experts often recommend installing a new siding altogether, since it may prove difficult to find the exact match of your existing boards.
If you don’t want to end up with a mix-matched home, then installing a new set is the better option. You can still inspect the model number that’s included by the manufacturers to help you trace the exact match. However, new parts will often look different, unless you do a thorough painting job. If the siding is falling off, then consider installing a new ones altogether.
Removing Damaged Boards
To repair broken boards, you will need a utility knife, a hammer, galvanized nails, a pry bar, and an impulse nailer. Other tools you may need include a caulking gun, circular saw, drill bit set, extension cord, level, scribbling tool, tape measure, hearing protection, and safety glasses. Begin by removing the nails at the corner cap and use a utility knife to score down the siding. Proceed to the nails on the lap board and use your hammer’s claw to split down the board. If you have removed all the nails attaching the damaged siding to the adjacent boards, it should simply pull out.
To avoid damaging adjacent boards that are in good condition, it is advisable to cut the nails that are attached to them, using a saw. You can also use wooden shims to wedge out the boards for easy access to the nails. When pulling off the damaged board using a pry bar, protect the adjacent boards with scrap plywood to prevent denting.
Installing New Siding
The next step is to install a new board, in place of the removed piece. Working from the bottom up, place the new board in the same position as the old damaged siding you just pulled out. Match the nail holes existing on the adjacent siding, and nail the new board to hit the same holes. This work may require an extra set of hands for support.
If you have interior sheathing and flashing, make sure to pre-drill the nail holes to avoid crushing the sheathing and damaging your insulation. It is recommended to use a reveal-set jig to help you match the existing siding reveal. Maintain a course overlap of at least 1 inch, and make sure the nails are drilled at least an inch inside the overlap board.
Another important caution is to nail-in only enough to hold the siding in place. Do not countersink them, as this will break the siding’s face, and present moisture problems. If the nails break the surface, use a caulking gun to caulk the nail heads.
Conclusion
Besides replacing your damaged exterior siding, there are various things you can do to make your repair last longer. Edge priming and thorough painting, for instance, can help improve the durability of the new siding by preventing rotting. Always use flashing to prevent the siding from touching the shingles, as any contact with the shingle is a guarantee for rotting.
Whether you want to repair damaged boards or change the appearance of your exterior walls, new siding installations require proper handling. In most cases, it is advisable to call professionals, especially if you have insurance concerns or don’t really know what you’re doing. Nonetheless, the above steps will help you to achieve quick minor repairs and maintenance.