Feeling weary every time you walk by the unsightly split in your vinyl wall covering, telling yourself perhaps others have not seen it? You might believe fixing a small crack in vinyl siding is too costly, but actually, it can be affordable. By doing this job on your own, it is possible to keep more than $2,000. If you are someone who likes to do things by yourself and you gather the necessary tools with some skillfulness, it’s achievable for you to mend any type of damage like a cut or detached vinyl siding at your house quickly.
Signs That It’s Time to Repair Your Siding
Visible holes and cracks show clear signs of damage, yet sometimes your vinyl siding might appear intact while it still has less noticeable issues. Keep in mind that siding is for more than making your house look better; its job includes guarding against water and bugs too. That is the reason it is essential to keep it in very good condition. If you never considered your vinyl siding after installing it, perhaps now is when you should inspect it again.
Signs are there that maybe soon you must fix or change your vinyl siding.
- Chips, holes, or dents are clear signs of damage. These kinds of breaks in your siding can allow insects and mold to enter underneath.
- Siding that is loose or has cracks: When there are spaces and splits because the siding isn’t tight, rain can sneak through these openings between the boards and get inside your house.
- Even when the panels appear okay, if the wood below starts to decay, this indicates your siding isn’t performing well and might require repair or replacement.
- If the color of your house siding does not stay, it might be a sign that the waterproof protection is getting weaker and this could cause problems for your home.
- Panels that are twisted or have bubbles might be damaged by hot temperatures or severe weather conditions. This warping and bubbling can create openings, making your house more vulnerable to outside forces.
- If you see any growth like mildew, fungus, or mold on your panels or below them, it’s necessary to discover the source of water entry and repair that.
Tools Required to Repair Vinyl Siding
- Hammer
- Caulking Gun
- Utility Knife
- Tape Measure
- Flat Pry Bar
- Tin Snips
- Zip Tool
- Replacement Siding Panel (for patching and replacing methods)
How to Repair Vinyl Siding
Even though vinyl siding is designed to be strong and last long, it can still get damaged like other materials used in buildings. Fortunately, there are several methods available for fixing your broken vinyl siding. By following these detailed instructions, you can learn to fill, patch, or change damaged parts of your vinyl siding like an expert.
Repairing a Hole in the Siding With Caulk
Many things can cause holes in the siding of your house, from bad weather to accidents while putting up festive decorations. If these holes are not very big, you can easily and cheaply repair them by using a caulk that looks like the siding color to fill them in. If you are unable to locate a caulk that is the same color as your vinyl siding, it’s possible to apply white caulk and then buy paint that matches to cover the gap.
Clean the Area
First, you must use a sponge with soap and water to clean the area around the damage. Then allow it to dry in sunlight for no less than 2 hours before you proceed to the following step.
Prepare the Caulk Gun
Trim the end of the tube containing caulk and make a hole in its inner seal with a long nail or metal rod. Retract fully the plunger on your caulking gun before inserting the tube inside.
Begin Filling the Hole
Place the nozzle of the caulk tube above the hole in the siding and start to put the caulk into it. You should fill the hole a bit more than needed, so you can be sure that it is filled and stops water from getting inside.
Let the Caulk Dry
Allow the caulk to dry completely, taking a whole day. After that, remove any extra caulk using a scraping tool. Should you not locate caulk in the same color as your siding, consider painting over the filled area when it is dry.
Repairing Your Vinyl Siding With A Patch
Should there be a hole or crack too large for the caulk to seal, you might think about covering it with siding of a matching color. Fixing such a hole can demand extra effort, yet the result – removing an unpleasant sight – will justify the task.
Clean the Area
Before you begin, wash the nearby damaged space using soap and water. Give it at least 2 hours to dry under the sunlight.
Cut Out a Patch
Take a leftover piece of the siding and trim it so that it is somewhat larger than the crack or opening. Remove carefully the top edge that has holes for nails, making sure to preserve the rounded edge in place. Just like it, cut the bottom edge of the scrap vinyl.
Test the Patch
Put the patch on top of the hole or crack so that its curves match those on the siding. Cut the curved edges of the patch a little if needed, to make it fit right.
Patch the Damage
Put a little line of sealant on the patch backside, and another around the hole. Press the patch onto the broken place to hold it tight and make sure it sticks well together.
Let the Caulk Dry
After the caulk has dried, clean around that area and remove any extra caulk.
Conclusion
Even though vinyl siding doesn’t need a lot of care, you can maintain it well with regular cleaning. If you wash your siding using a cloth or soft brush, it will remove the dirt and make your siding appear fresh once more. You can clean your siding with a power washer, but make sure to read the instructions for the washer carefully and confirm with the maker of your siding first so there is no damage.
To avoid changing the color, shield the vinyl siding that is not covered when you use stains, sealants, or wet concrete while doing house improvements. Look at your siding often to keep track of any small breaks or holes that might let water and bugs into your home.