Repair Cedar Lap Siding

Remove the shims and tap the upper board back into place.

Repair cedar lap siding. The distance from the edge of the larger piece to the smaller piece should be equal to the amount of siding revealed on each lap. Remove the nails on the lap board then use the claw of the hammer to split the board down the center image 1. When you re ready to install the new material creating a gauge block will help ensure that the reveal of each board is identical. Before the siding can go up 1x4 starter strips of treated lumber should be nailed to the sill where the lower most course of siding will go up image 2.

When hardboard siding is installed and maintained correctly it can hold up for 30 or 40 years. Reach the high areas or apply cleaner to the less dirty areas using a roller with an extension pole which doesn t allow you to apply as much pressure or elbow grease as a paint brush. If necessary move the wedges to make room for the saw but leave the wedges under the clapboard. When the board is completely cut through on both sides of the damage the damaged section should pull down and out fairly easily.

By hooking that smaller piece on the row below the repair you ll create the proper spacing every time. Use galvanized spiral shank nails to secure the boards. Repairing minor defects in cedar siding step 1 use a putty knife to apply exterior wood putty to smaller cracks or holes in siding. First to help avoid any future insect damage back prime the cedar with oil based primer image 1.

Because the nails in wood lap siding sometimes go through two rows at once you may need cut the nails in a row above the one you re working on. Work the putty down into the holes and smear the putty over the top and edges of the defect. Add new siding we used cedar siding to replace the rotted clapboards. Once all the nails are removed from the adjoining board the damaged one should just pull out.

Water splashes up from the ground frequently soaking the vulnerable bottom edges. Drill pilot holes and drive nails to attach the new pieces. But without proper attention isolated areas can begin rotting in only a few years especially near the foundation. Cut all the way through the board to include the damaged area.

Score down the damaged lap siding with a utility knife. To maintain a consistent reveal create a pair of gauges using scrap wood attached to each other at 90 degree angles. Remove the nails in the corner cap. Tap the new pieces in place using a block of wood so you don t dent the siding.

How to repair wood siding.