How to Replace Damaged Siding?

When the clapboards or shakes are decayed or damaged, the siding no longer serves its intended function. Damaged siding allows air, water, dirt, and insects to penetrate your home, leading to further damage and decay in the surrounding wood. In this article, we'll show you how to fix damaged areas or individual shingles on your own, saving you money and preventing issues from escalating.

Clapboards

When you spot a damaged area in your siding, address it promptly. Only the damaged board or shake needs to be replaced, and the repair is relatively quick. Simply replace the old board with a new one of the same size and shape. Here's how to fix damaged clapboards (also referred to as bevel or lap siding):

Step 1: Use wedges to lift the damaged board away from the house by inserting them underneath the board, pulling it free from the sheathing below. Locate the nails in this section of clapboard and remove them. If a claw hammer or pliers don’t work, use a hacksaw to cut the nails off flush with the sheathing. To free the top of the board, insert wedges beneath the clapboard overlapping the damaged section and remove the nails securing the top.

Step 2: Saw through the board on both sides of the damaged area using a backsaw or hacksaw. If space is tight, wrap electrical tape around one end of a hacksaw blade to protect your hand and make it easier to maneuver. Cut all the way through, including the damaged section.

If needed, shift the wedges to allow space for the saw, but keep the wedges under the clapboard. Once the board is completely cut on both sides of the damage, the broken section should come down and out with ease. If it’s stuck, break it into pieces with a hammer and chisel, being careful not to damage the surrounding boards.

Step 3: Trim the new clapboard to fit the gap and check the fit. The top edge should slide under the board above, while the bottom edge should sit over the board below. Plane the edges if necessary to ensure a perfect fit.

Step 4: Once the new board fits properly, apply a coat of primer to it. Ensure both sides and all edges are thoroughly coated. Don't forget to prime the exposed edges of the opening where the old siding was removed. Allow the paint to dry fully before proceeding.

Step 5: Place the new board into the opening, making sure it fits snugly. Secure the board using 16d nails, driving them through the bottom and into the top edge of the board above. Seal the edges of the patch with acrylic latex caulk. After the caulk dries, paint the new siding to blend with the rest of the house.

Insert the new clapboard into the gap, ensuring that the top edge slides under the board above and the bottom edge rests over the board below.

Shakes or Shingles

Replacing damaged shakes or shingles is done in the same manner as replacing clapboards. However, if the shakes are made of natural unstained cedar, it’s best to use replacement shakes from a less visible part of the house, and place the new shingles in the repair area. This technique helps avoid creating a noticeable patch with new, unweathered wood.

Use wedges to lift each damaged shake or shingle, placing them underneath the damaged piece as well as the shakes overlapping it. Remove or cut off all nails as previously mentioned. Once the nails are removed, take out the damaged shake. If it resists removal, split it into smaller pieces using a hammer and chisel, then take out the pieces. Insert the new shake and secure it with 16d aluminum nails, avoiding steel nails. If the shake lacks predrilled nail holes, drill pilot holes to prevent splitting the wood.

Replacing damaged shingles or clapboards as they occur helps prevent your siding from deteriorating and ensures better protection for your home against the elements.