Replacing Wood and Engineered Siding
by Guest on May 7, 2012
Wood and Engineered sidings are good choices for siding that last a long time but do not tolerate water penetration very well. This usually becomes evident where the siding meets horizontal surfaces such as porches, steps, and decks. Fortunately, it is fairly easy to replace. The biggest problem can be finding a replacement piece. The siding in this how-to is a smooth engineered siding and is very easy to replace as it has no texture.
Step 1:
Determine the area that has to be removed to effect the repair. Engineered siding will swell up and fall apart and wood sidings will deteriorate, split or rot. Locate the nearest wall studs and mark the pieces of siding to be removed along the middle of these studs. One method for locating the studs is to find the nails that hold the siding to the house. Remember that studs are usually installed 16" on center.
Step 2:
Use a utility knife to score the paint where the rows of siding overlap as it will ease the removal of the boards. This is especially important for engineered siding. Also, cut away any caulk that may be in the area.
Step 3:
If the piece of siding you want to remove is a whole piece then skip to Step 4. Otherwise, set the depth of cut on your circular saw to the same thickness as your siding. Cut along the lines you marked earlier. Your cuts will need to run into the course above the damaged course as the siding boards overlap some. If you are removing more than one course, you should stagger your cuts if possible.
Step 4:
Using a pry bar, loosen the course of siding above the repair area. Place a shim in between the courses to keep the siding away from the repair area. Using a reciprocating saw or (preferably) a hack saw blade, cut the nails in the above course that hold the damaged course.
Step 5:
Slide out the damaged course. Use a pry bar to remove the damaged siding if necessary. If there are stubborn pieces, a chisel will take care of it.
Step 6:
Inspect and repair any material behind the damaged siding. This might include sheathing, felt or a house-wrapping product.
Step 7:
Using the old siding as a pattern, cut the new siding to the proper dimensions. The new pieces should be about 1/16" shorter than the original to allow for expansion.
Step 8:
Prime the siding before you put it back on the house. Make sure that you use a good-quality exterior primer.
Step 9:
Slide the new siding back into place. If you have a tough time sliding the siding under, place a beater block against the bottom edge and drive it home. Using galvanized nails, secure the patch in place. Make sure that you nail into the studs. If you are replacing more than one course, start at the bottom.
Step 10:
Seal up any gaps or nail heads with a paintable exterior (www.dap.com) caulk. After the caulk cures, paint the repair area with exterior paint that is compatible with the primer you used.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
70556 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
67403 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
62846 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
43048 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
26821 Views
Latest Articles
How Much Does it Cost to Install Hardwood Floors
There are specific considerations to make before laying hardwood flooring in your house. The first thing you need to know is that the price of...
on Jan 19, 2023
Home Maintenance Jobs You Need to do This Winter
Winter is the perfect time to get some home maintenance jobs completed. Not only are you stuck inside because of bad weather, but this same bad...
on Jan 10, 2023
Design Tips to Level Up Your Kitchen
Kitchens are the heart of the home. Aside from being where we cook and eat, kitchens can be our workspaces, spaces for relaxation, and - in the...
on Jan 9, 2023
5 Irresistible Reasons for Working with a Realtor
Buying your first home can be a daunting task. If you do not know about the intricacies of the real estate industry, you will not be able to make...
on Jan 5, 2023
DIY Solar Panel Guide
DIY solar panel installation is cheaper than professional solar panel installation, but installing your panels is costly and requires some DIY...
on Jan 2, 2023
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Real Estate Investment for Future Generations
on Mar 14, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Purchasing a home is not simply a financial commitment. It is also an excellent way to start accumulating your wealth. Your home is also a...
Can I Sell My House with a Leaky Roof?
on Oct 28, 2021
Real Estate / Finance

The answer to this query is YES. It is possible to sell a house with a leaking roof, but it's always essential to evaluate some factors before...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 260
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 193
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 183
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 143
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 116
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Improve Your Contractor Business
In today’s economic climate it is harder than ever to run a successful contractor business. The recent economic downturn and declining real estate...
6 Easy Steps to Drain a Hot Water Heater
Hot water heaters are not something you think about until something goes wrong. To safeguard against problems, we recommend cleaning them out every...
A Guide on Different Window Blinds and Their Cleaning Procedure
Made up of several fabrics, wood, plastic or metal held together by several chords, window blinds are elegant window coverings that have found a...
7 Steps to Successful Home Office Decoration
There was a time when most bill paying, correspondence, and other family business was conducted around the kitchen table. Ah, but the times, they...
Create The Ultimate Outdoor Area with a Veranda
When the weather is fine, we need to be outdoors to enjoy it. You could go for a walk or a run, hit the jogging track or the hiking trails or just...