Repairing Damaged Siding

Learn how to fix or replace broken shingles, clapboards, fiber cement, and vinyl
with Mike Guertin

Siding on houses invariably will get damaged during the lifetime of the house. In this series, Mike Guertin will show you how to remove and replace siding quickly, with a few simple tools, and without disturbing the surrounding siding.

In this first video, Mike shares a trick for patching small holes in vinyl without removing the entire piece of siding.

Start

* membership required
Making Common Siding Repairs Download the Companion Article: Making Common Siding Repairs

Online Members can read this related article from Fine Homebuilding magazine.

Download the PDF

Watch this For Pros, By Pros video series to learn how to make siding repairs that look good and hold up to the elements.



Introduction Simple Vinyl Patch
(& Video-Series Intro)

(Playing on this page) Learn a simple technique for patching small holes in vinyl without removing the entire piece of siding.
Vinyl Siding Replacement Vinyl Siding Repair

See how to disconnect vinyl siding, make a replacement piece, and re-engage the entire panel in a few steps.
Partial Shingle Replacement Partial Shingle Repair

It's possible to repair the exposed portion of a shingle without having to replace the entire shingle.
Whole Shingle Replacement Whole Shingle Repair

Watch how Mike protects the perimeter shingles while replacing a damaged one.
Fiber Cement Replacement Fiber Cement Repair

Learn some tricks for removing old nails, fitting the new boards, and nailing off siding without a hitch.
Wood Clapboard Replacement Wood Clapboard Repair

Pull a damaged clapboard off and fasten a new one with a few simple tools.

About the Author

Mike Guretin
Mike Guertin has been a Fine Homebuilding contributing editor since 1996. A builder and remodeler from East Greenwich, R.I., Mike is constantly testing new ideas and writing about his experience to help make our homes better and our jobs easier.

Find more articles by Mike Guertin

Exterior Siding, Trim, and FinishesExterior Siding, Trim, and Finishes
Get the best information on designing and installing exterior details and finishes in this compilation of popular Fine Homebuilding articles.

Buy the book


Shop all Fine Homebuilding Books and DVDs




FURTHER RESOURCES ON FineHomebuilding.com


Keep Siding Straight With a Story Pole
 A simple layout tool aligns siding with window and door trim, and helps you to finish where you started

Rain-screen siding detailsKeep Siding Dry With a Vented Rain Screen
 A simple layout tool aligns siding with window and door trim, and helps you to finish where you started

Q&A: Nailing Clapboards: Top, bottom, or both?

Vinyl Siding Done Right
If vinyl’s final, you’d best get the details right. A veteran builder shows how to make it water-resistant and attractive

Tip: Install Fiber-Cement Siding Solo
Because fiber cement is heavy and dense, it is difficult for one person to hold it to a line, match up to an end, and start the first fastener

Q&A: Patching Holes in Siding
If your wood siding is in pretty good shape, but has some holes and gouges, what type of filler should you use?