How to Repair Exterior Siding
Exterior siding is a building material that protects your house from sun damage and moisture. Over time, siding can be damaged by exposure to these elements. Damaged siding will need to be repaired, and in some cases replaced. Repairing exterior siding can involve simply filling and sanding holes or gouges in wood with putty; or if the damage is severe, a siding board may need to be pried loose, and a new board installed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wood cleaner
- Nylon scrub brush
- Wood putty
- Putty knife
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Pry bar
- Slater's ripper
- Hack saw blade saw
- Replacement siding boards
- Corrosion resistant nails
- Hammer
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Instructions
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Repairing Sun-Damaged Wood
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Mix a solution of wood cleaner. Wood cleaner is generally sold in a concentrated formula. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the dilution recommended to remove sun-damaged wood fiber.
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Wet the siding with a hose and apply the wood cleaner. Allow it to sit on the siding surface for 15 to 30 minutes.
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Scrub the siding down vigorously with a nylon scrub brush. This will remove loosened wood fiber and leave the healthy wood intact.
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Rinse the siding down thoroughly with water.
Repairing Minor Defects in Wood Siding
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Use a putty knife to spread wood putty over any holes or gouges in your wood siding. Spread a liberal amount of putty and use the putty knife to work it down into holes and over gouges.
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Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding dry time. Typically putty over smaller holes or gouges will require several hours to dry, while deeper fills may require 24 hours or more.
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Once the putty is dry, sand the filled defect with a piece of 120-grit sandpaper. Use the sandpaper to smooth the putty and make it flush with the wood's surface.
Replacing Badly Damaged Siding Boards
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Find the nails in the siding boards and use a pry bar to carefully lift the damaged board, exposing the nail shafts.
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Use a slater's ripper to pull nails, or a hack saw blade saw to cut the nail shafts.
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Once all the nails are pulled or cut, remove the damaged siding board. Certain types of interlocking siding may require that you loosen the boards above and below in order to remove the damaged board.
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Fit a replacement board into the vacant spot and fasten it in place with corrosion-resistant nails. The size of nail you use will vary depending on the thickness of the siding. Consult the manufacturer's instructions regarding nail type and size.
Line the nail holes up with the nail holes in the surrounding siding to create a consistent look.
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Tips & Warnings
A paint or stain applied over the siding will protect your wood from moisture and damaging ultra-violet (UV) rays from sunlight.
If you are intending to stain the wood siding, use a wood putty that matches the basic tone of the wood and can accept a stain.
Certain types of wood contain high levels of tannins. This natural preservative can bleed to the surface of the wood and cause dark staining and discoloration. Wood brightener with oxalic acid will neutralize tannins in wood and restore the natural luster of the wood.
Wood cleaner contains chemicals that can be harmful to skin and eyes. Wear protective clothing, including eye wear and rubber gloves, when using these products.
