How To Replace Damaged Vinyl Siding

15 minute vinyl siding repair with a zip tool.

How to replace damaged vinyl siding.

Using a zip tool unlock the vinyl siding above the damaged section by inserting the curved tip of the tool blade under the end of the overlapping panel and hook onto the back lip of the buttlock. Work your hand into a seam between pieces then release the siding from the nailing strip. Slide the zip tool along the bottom edge to release the vinyl siding from the piece below it. Once all the nails are removed from the adjoining board the damaged one should just pull out.

Use a zip tool image 1 to unlock the siding from the surrounding pieces image 2. To access and remove the damaged section of vinyl siding you must first unlock the siding above and below the damaged section. Pull the nails holding the damaged siding and remove the damaged piece. The vinyl siding zip tool will save you loads of time.

Cut out the damaged piece of siding leaving a space 2 inches shorter than the replacement piece. Install the replacement piece over the existing siding and attach with roofing nails. Nail straight down on the replacement board in order to hit studs. But if you need to replace a vinyl panel or part of a panel check your garage or basement to see whether the installer left extra pieces for repairs.

Take the replacement board fit it in place image 2 and nail it in with a hammer using galvanized nails. Repeat the procedure for the top of the damaged siding. Start at the bottom of the piece that is being replaced and insert a wooden shim between the pieces of siding as the zip tool slides along the siding. For larger dents cracks or holes start by cutting out the damaged segment of siding and removing it with a zip tool.

Be sure to nail into the existing holes on the adjacent siding. If a vinyl piece has come apart from its neighbor the solution is often to push it back up until it locks in place. Otherwise take a sample to a siding supplier and look for a close match. Starting at one end of the damaged piece push the end of the zip siding removal tool up under the siding until you feel it hook the bottom lip.

To repair vinyl siding fill in minor imperfections with caulk and then paint it to match the rest of the siding once it cures.