Proper siding repair is one of the most important ways of protecting your home.
Cracking, rotting, and damage from insects and birds are some of the most common causes of damage to wooden siding. Proper siding repair is one of the most important ways of protecting your home. When it comes to repairing and replacing wooden siding, be sure to use simple hand tools. Power tools can be too unpredictable and cause too much vibration for the siding to stick. Here are some tips on how to perform wooden siding repair.
Get the Nails Out
First, you will need to get the existing nails out. To do this, you will need to cut the damaged siding away with a utility knife. Slide the knife in about halfway between the top edge and the bottom edge, and make sure you cut through the siding from one end to the other. Make sure not to cut too deeply, either. If you cut too deeply, you might slice into the builder’s felt underneath the siding. You will then need to use a pry bar to remove the damaged siding. Find the nail, and pull on the bar holding the nails in place. Pushing on it can cause damage to other pieces of siding around the broken one.
Choosing New Nails and Siding
The next step is to choose and install some new nails and siding. The new siding that you choose should blend in with the rest of the undamaged siding. Here is some more information about what you need to keep in mind when putting in new nails and making sure your new siding fits correctly:
- The Nail: Even though you have plenty of choices when it comes to wooden siding, with the nail you only have one choice. It’s called a ring-shank nail, and it’s made from stainless steel. This nail is the best to use in siding because it doesn’t show rust and it won’t ruin the paint or leave unsightly streaks on the wood around it. The rings on the shank also allow the nail to grip more tightly, which means the nails will stay in place more securely.
- The Size: Measure the thickness and width of the exposed areas on the wall. Remember that the measurement of the face width should be one inch longer due to overlapping from the piece of siding above the exposed area.
- The Texture: Rough-looking wooden siding won’t match existing siding if that existing siding looks smooth. Likewise, smooth siding won’t match rough siding that is already in place. Luckily, you’ll often notice that the pieces of siding have a smooth side and a rough side, making them easier to match.
How Topper Construction Can Help
Trust the professionals at Topper Construction to help install and maintain your wood siding. You can expect guaranteed lifetime protection that also increases your home’s curb appeal. There are plenty of other of other siding types, but wood siding installed by Topper can lend an unmatched and gorgeous aesthetic. Three decades of experience can’t be wrong.
Contact Topper Construction Today!
If you’re interested in having a roof system or siding installed in your home, or would like a free estimate, contact Topper Construction. With Topper Construction, you’ll see the benefit of nearly three decades of experience. Contact Topper Construction at 301-874-0220 or email us at info@topperconstruction.com if you are interested in learning more. We can help you with projects in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Northern Virginia.
