Repairing Wood Lap Siding

Repair the siding remove the nails in the corner cap.

Repairing wood lap siding.

How to remove and replace wood siding. To break loose the lower half of the damaged piece start at one end and gently tap a small pry bar underneath. Remove the nails on the lap board then use the claw of the hammer to split the board down the center image 1. Replacing siding pieces step 1.

Cut through the nails that are holding the old siding in place. Caulk the end joint and prime the front of each clapboard image 3. This process called back priming will seal all sides of the wood to prevent moisture from causing the wood to deteriorate prematurely. Wood siding is subject to the elements and some damage over time is well almost expected.

When people have damaged wood siding they often ask what s the best way to repair it the first step is to prime the new wood you ll be using for the repair on the front back and end grain. Cut existing siding nails. Make first cut image zoom to cut out a damaged area use a square and a utility knife to scribe cut lines on. Make your repair last prime the back and edges of the new siding.

An oscillating tool with a. Gap at corner and butt joints. When crosscutting the existing siding be sure to stagger the end joints so they aren t aligned. Paint and prime the siding after the first course of siding is up image 1 you can start adding the rest slipping them under the courses above and nailing in place image 2.

Cut and prime. Finish cuts image zoom using. Allow the primer to dry and you re ready for the final coat of paint. Thoroughly paint all exposed edges and grooves.

Using a utility knife score the entire length of the damaged clapboard from end to end about halfway up from. For any number of smaller repairs a hole a gouge etc an epoxy based wood filler like abatron or even a polyester reinforced repair product like bondo can do the trick. Work the pry bar along the. The heads will break the paper face allowing water to soak in and.

Do not drive the nails flush or countersink them.