Wood siding often dries out and cracks, allowing water or insects to penetrate the house structure. Paint and stain do a good job of keeping this natural product from deteriorating, but it still requires some maintenance.
Vinyl requires very little to keep it looking great and provides a sophisticated look for your home that adds resale value. Small cosmetic repairs can be made to damaged vinyl without too much difficulty. For professional help, contact Charleston Advanced Siding Repair now!
A cracked siding panel can allow rainwater to seep into the space behind the board, causing further damage and wood rot. When a crack or hole occurs, it is important to repair it as soon as possible to prevent further damage and to maintain the integrity of the vinyl siding.
To begin, you should take a close look at the damaged area. This will help you determine if it is a small divot or crack, a loose section of vinyl, or a damaged fiberglass board. Then, you should gather the supplies needed to complete the repair. These supplies include tin snips, a utility knife, and caulk. It is also a good idea to wear gloves and safety glasses while working on the project. This will protect your hands, fingers, and eyes from any sharp tools or from debris that may fall off during the repairs.
First, clean the surface with a sponge and soapy water to remove any dirt or grime from the damaged area. It is also a good idea to use a soft-bristled brush to remove any dirt stuck in the grooves of the siding. After cleaning the area, wipe it down with a damp cloth to ensure it is completely dry before continuing with the repair.
If the divot or crack is small, you can usually fill it with a caulk that matches the color of your siding. This is a simple and inexpensive way to repair small holes or dings in your vinyl siding. If the divot or hole is larger, you may need to use a patch kit in order to ensure a proper fit and a seamless appearance.
When applying caulk to the repair, be sure to follow the instructions on the product’s packaging for curing times. Once the caulk has been applied, be sure to smooth it with a putty knife so that it is even and matches the surrounding surface. If you want, you can also apply paintable caulk to the repair in order to further conceal it.
If you are unable to locate the point of damage, it is generally best to replace the entire board. This will provide a more thorough and permanent repair than a simple slapping of a vinyl patch on the area.
Holes
A squirt of paint-matched caulk can often fix holes in vinyl siding and aluminum. These are often caused by nails, phone and cable wires and a variety of other things including hail damage. If you notice the holes get larger, call a professional to assess the problem and make a permanent repair.
Small holes should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent water and insects from invading your home. Use a small amount of exterior-grade caulk to fill the hole, smoothing it down for a neat finish. When the caulk is cured, paint it to match your siding.
Holes can also be a sign of moisture damage to your house’s sheathing or insulation. Mold and mildew will grow in damp environments, causing health problems for family members or pets and possibly leading to expensive repairs to woodwork, flooring, electrical wiring and other parts of the house.
If you notice your home has many holes, start by locating the affected area on the house using a ladder and looking at each section of siding. It’s best to do this when it’s dry and not raining.
Find a spare siding panel the same color as the damaged one and locate it in an inconspicuous place on your home’s exterior. Measure a segment of the siding from its top edge to the bottom and mark this on the replacement panel. Next, hold the removed siding panel up to the replacement panel and use a pry bar or screwdriver to remove any nails or fasteners holding it in place.
Once the nails are removed, a piece of foil tape should be applied to the back of the replacement panel. Then, use a siding zip tool to hook the replacement to the lip of the affected siding segment and push it into place. Use a pry bar to remove any nails or screws holding the new section of vinyl in place.
For medium-sized holes, use a pair of tin snips to cut a replacement piece from a spare panel. Be sure to cut a piece that is 2 inches wide in the direction of the hole, plus a couple of inches on each side. After the patch is installed, cut off the rolled edges with your tin snips and use a utility knife to smooth the corners.
Blistering
If you’re noticing bubbles or blistering in your siding, it’s time to call a siding repair pro. This is a serious issue that shows the siding material itself is breaking down. Blistering happens when moisture gets trapped under the surface of the siding and expands. When the pressure of the expansion isn’t relieved, the blistering will eventually cause cracks in the siding.
Blistering is usually caused by a combination of things, including moisture and improper ventilation of the home. If you suspect your home may be suffering from this problem, take a walk around the exterior of your house and note where the blisters are occurring. A professional can then assess the situation and recommend an appropriate fix.
Holes and divots in your vinyl siding can also be signs of an impending replacement need. However, these can often be repaired with a little bit of work. First, make sure to clean the damaged area and remove any debris using a sponge or cloth. Then, fill the hole with a vinyl siding patching compound. Smooth the patch with a putty knife and let it dry for two to four hours. After the patch has dried, apply a coat of matching paint to the surface.
Other common siding damage includes insect or critter infestations. This could include anything from carpenter ants or termites tunneling into the wall frame to bees or raccoons building nests inside your walls. In addition to being unsightly, this type of damage can be costly. In the winter, heat escapes through these openings, leading to higher heating bills, and in the summer, hot air enters your home, causing your AC to work harder.
If you notice any signs of insect or critter infestation, it’s important to have your siding inspected by a professional as soon as possible. This will prevent the damage from spreading further, saving you money in both maintenance and energy costs.
Siding is exposed to harsh weather and other environmental elements day in and day out for years. If you don’t routinely check for damage and make repairs as needed, rot, fungi, insects, and other problems will quickly develop. By paying attention to your siding and addressing issues as they occur, you’ll extend its lifespan and keep your property looking great for many years to come.
Warped Boards
If you notice any of your siding boards beginning to warp, it is a serious problem that must be addressed quickly. This is because it often indicates there are problems in other areas of the home that will lead to even more expensive and time-consuming repairs. You will be able to spot this type of damage by walking around your home and looking for areas where the wood is not lying flat or is sticking out more than others.
This can be caused by many factors, including moisture infiltration. It may be a result of improper installation or it could be due to the weather, particularly in the summer when humidity rises and makes the air thicker, making it harder for the boards to hold their shape. Generally, you will find this issue in the corners of your home and where the side boards meet.
You can try to repair this by shortening the board to allow for more room. Begin by pulling the nails and removing as much of the board as you can with a pry bar. If you have a lot of silt in the crevices behind the board, it will need to be removed as well to avoid further damage to your home and to the building paper beneath. Next, use a wood plank or another block to wedge the end of the board away from the house. This will help protect any other areas of the building from any potential damage. You will then need to shorten the board using a saw, rasp or plane so that there is 1/16 of an inch of space between it and the next.
Once the gap is closed, you will need to apply a stainable wood putty that matches your home’s existing color. This will need to dry completely before you can continue with your repair. Be sure to spread a coat of primer on top of the repair area, allowing it to dry as per the manufacturer’s instructions before you paint it. This will ensure the new paint job will last longer and will not be prone to peeling or bubbling.