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Vinyl Siding Repair

Bidisha Mukherjee
Though relatively easy to maintain, at times vinyl siding may need to be repaired. This can be a DIY project, provided you know the right technique to perform the job. Here, we give you steps to ensure that your handyman status does not go to shame.
Vinyl is popularly used as a house siding as it requires a low maintenance. You just wash it once in a year and you will be able to retain its attractive look for a long time. However, it can suffer damage in extreme weather conditions.
When exposed to heat, it can melt, while at low temperatures it turns brittle. Besides, it may crack if it gets hit hard by any heavy object. People opt for repair because it is a simpler job than replacing it entirely.

How to Repair Vinyl Siding
Before starting the repair job, you must arrange for some tools and materials, like a pry bar, claw hammer, zip tool, utility knife, galvanized nails, carpenter's square, adhesive caulk, and tin snips. Once your repair kit is ready with these things, here is a step by step instruction guide.

Step 1

First of all, you have to remove the damaged siding from the wall. During installation, the panels are interlocked with each other using nails. Use the zip tool to pull the siding downward, and expose the nails. Then take a pry bar and remove the nails that hold the panel, one by one. Now, you can easily pull the panel out and place it on the ground.

Step 2

Place the carpenter's square over the crack or hole and mark cutting lines with a pencil. Now, take the tin snips and move it along the marked lines in order to cut out the damaged part of the siding. Do this very carefully as the upper or lower edges of the siding may sustain damage in the process.

Step 3

Take the measurements of the squared hole where the repair patch has to be placed. While measuring, make sure you add 3 inches extra on both the length and the breadth so that the patch can overlap on all sides with the main panel.

Step 4

You do not have to buy a new panel to repair a hole in vinyl siding. This is mainly because the colors of the new and old pieces are unlikely to match.
Use spare pieces of siding kept aside during installation, if any. If you don't have any spare pieces, then cut a patch from an inconspicuous area of the existing panel. Mark cutting lines on the replacement panel as per the measurements with carpenter square so that you can get a perfect square shape. Then use the utility knife to cut out the repair patch.

Step 5

Now, it's time to fit the patch on the old panel. Put a generous amount of adhesive caulk at the back of the patch along the border. Then place it over the hole of the siding. Allow it to dry for several hours so that it is properly attached to the main panel

Step 6

Thus, the repair work is over and now it's time to put the siding panel back into its place on the wall. Lock it properly with neighboring panels using nails. Keep a gap of about 12 inches in between two nails. It is advisable to start nailing from the top and move downwards.
As you are repairing the siding yourself, it is going to be a much less expensive affair as compared to hiring a professional. To make this home improvement project easier for you, select a warm day for the repair job, as the vinyl will remain quite flexible and easy to handle.