No homeowner looks forward to finding a hole in their siding, but if you own a home long enough, this common mishap can happen to you. If your home is older and has been built with vinyl siding, time will make the material more brittle. Something like a ball hitting your house or a moderate hail storm can be enough to rupture the material. Also, settlement after an earthquake or extreme weather changes can make more vulnerable areas of siding open to cracking.
Though it may seem harmless, leaving your siding holes open can cause damage to your home through allowing moisture and pests to enter the side of your home. Fixing them right away is key to prevent more expensive damage from mold and pest infestation. But if you are on a tight schedule or are a little tight on money, doing a DIY repair can spare your home damage while you make a plan to fix it permanently.
How Quickly Should You Fix It?
It is always better to do a repair quickly, even if it is a DIY patch work. If all you can find to patch up the hole is duct tape, using it still better than nothing (but this is not something we recommend as a permanent fix… especially if your HOA will take notice). However, if you can’t reach the area in question, it’s better to get pros who can reach the spot with a ladder and professional tools.
- Note: If hail has damaged your siding, get an inspection and make a claim to your insurance. You can potentially get a full or partial siding repair and get reimbursed!
How to Repair a Hole in Your Vinyl Siding (Before Help Arrives)
Thankfully, it’s not hard to fix hole in your vinyl siding. Most DIY work can be done quickly and can last a reasonable amount of time. Whether you need an affordable quick fix or a temporary solution before you get professional contractors in to fix it permanently, knowing these repair tips will help you keep rain and pests out of your home.
Before you get started, here’s what you’ll need:
- Siding Cleaner
- Rag
- Vinyl Siding Caulk (in the color of your siding)
- Caulk Gun
- Caulk Trimmer
- Scrap Siding
- Utility Knife or Shears
- Scrap Piece of Matching Siding
To fix a small puncture in your siding, first wipe the area around the hole with siding cleaner. Then, fully dry the area with a rag. Load the caulk into your caulk gun and squeeze it into the puncture until all the space behind the hole is filled. For the best results, overfill the hole slightly, then scrape off the excess with a caulk trimmer. Then, let it dry. You’re all set until choose to do a full siding repair!
To fix a hole or tear in your siding, you need the same tools along with another flat piece of siding that matches your home. Wipe the area clean and dry it. Then, use the shears to cut out a scrap piece of siding that is several inches longer than the hole or tear. This ensures it will cover the entire area fully. Place it over the hole to make sure it fits and curves correctly. Load the caulk into your caulk gun and then apply a generous amount of caulk to the back side of your scrap siding. Then, run a bead of caulk around the hole or tear. Finally, place the siding piece over the area and press firmly to seal. After everything dries, cut away any excess caulk with a utility knife.
We’re Here For You
Whether you’d like to stick to patching up your siding as a DIY or upgrade everything to something like energy-efficient insulated siding, we will be here to help you with any of your contracting needs. Our pros can also patch up your holes and punctures safely if you lack any physical ability or tools to get the job done well.
Contact Us to Learn More about Siding Installation or Replacement
Call us today at (703) 404-0505 to set up a consultation to discuss your siding in Centreville, Great Falls, McClean, Sterling or other nearby cities in Northern VA or Maryland. You can also submit a question or request a free siding estimate for estimate on our online contact form while you are here on our website.