How to Repair Wood Siding - Kitchen Cabinets

Wood siding is a classic exterior for homes that offers beauty, durability, and character. However, like any material exposed to the elements, wood siding is prone to wear and damage over time. Learning how to properly repair wood siding allows you to restore the look and function of your home’s exterior. With the right techniques and materials, you can fix wood siding damage yourself and keep your home looking its best for years to come.

Assessing the Damage

The first step in any wood siding repair job is to thoroughly examine the area needing work. Look closely at the siding boards in question to determine the type and extent of damage present. Some common issues with wood siding include:

Cracks or splits – Long cracks or deep splits can form in wood siding from expansion and contraction, impact damage, or age. These cracks allow water intrusion which leads to further damage.
Rotting or decay – Repeated moisture exposure causes wood siding to rot and decay. Rotten areas appear soft, punky, or crumbly.
Warping or cupping – Over time, sun exposure and moisture absorption can cause wood siding boards to warp, twist, or cup.
Pest damage – Termites, carpenter ants, and woodpeckers can damage wood siding through infestation, nesting, and feeding. Look for small holes, trails, or large absent sections.
Paint failure – When the paint or finish on wood siding starts severely cracking, peeling, or blistering, the wood underneath is vulnerable to moisture.
Loose or missing boards – Individual siding boards can become detached or fall off due to damage, age, or improper original installation.

Thoroughly inspect the area to determine what type or combination of damage is present. Check under overlapping boards as well. Use a probe tool or awl to check for soft spots or hidden decay. Photographing the damage can also help assess the full scope of repairs needed.

Gather the Right Repair Materials

Armed with knowledge of the damage, you can gather the appropriate materials for the repair job. Many repairs utilize common woodworking tools and materials. Depending on the specific project, you may need:

Hand tools – Hammers, pry bars, putty knives, utility knives, chisels, saws, sandpaper, clamps, etc.
Fasteners – Galvanized nails, exterior screws, finishing nails
Adhesives – Exterior wood glue, construction adhesive, epoxy
Lumber – Replacement siding boards, wood trim, patching wood
Fillers – Wood putty, wood filler, plastic wood
Sealants/caulks – Urethane or silicone exterior caulk/sealant
Paints and finishes – Exterior primer and paint, wood stains, clear finishes

Gather any specialty tools needed for the specific project like a circular saw, jigsaw, oscillating tool, heat gun, or router. Having all materials ready beforehand makes the work go faster and smoother.

Safety First

Working high off ladders with power tools requires taking proper safety precautions. Follow these tips:

Use sturdy ladders and work platforms designed for the height. Move ladders frequently to avoid overreaching.
Wear safety glasses, gloves, and a dust mask/respirator to protect yourself.
Carefully operate all power tools according to directions. Maintain control and be cautious on ladders.
Check for hidden electrical wires and plumbing lines before cutting into walls.
Work safely with lead paint – dust containment, proper disposal, PPE.
Have someone assist as a spotter to help pass tools and ensure stability.

Prioritizing safety reduces accidents on the job and allows you to focus on doing the repairs properly.

Matching the Existing Siding

For any repairs involving new wood – like replacing boards or patching holes – take time to match your existing siding. Note the wood species, board dimensions, profile, and any distinctive features. Closely matching new lumber to the old helps preserve the look of the home after repairs.

Bring a sample board to the lumberyard to aid selection. For custom profile siding, you may need to have new wood milled. When patching small holes, carefully remove siding in hidden areas to use as patches over damaged spots. Matching as closely as possible provides a seamless repaired look.

Repairing Common Wood Siding Damage

With an understanding of the damage and materials needed, you can move on to fixing some of the most prevalent wood siding issues:

Fixing Cracks and Splits

Long cracks, splits, or gaps in wood siding boards need to be resealed to prevent water intrusion. For narrow cracks, a coat of exterior caulk or sealant is often sufficient. Clean out loose debris first. For larger cracks:

Widen the crack into a “V” shape using a utility knife or oscillating tool. Clean out any dust or debris.
Fill the “V” crack with exterior-rated wood putty, working it deep into the crevice. Smooth flush with the surface.
Once dry, sand any excess putty. Then caulk over the putty with a paintable exterior sealant.
Once dry, prime and repaint the repaired area.

Sealing cracks this way channels water away while restoring the siding appearance. Smaller cracks may only need caulk if the wood putty doesn’t adhere well.

Replacing Damaged Boards

Wood siding boards suffering from extensive decay, damage, or warping often need complete replacement. To replace a full board:

Pull out remaining nails from the damaged board and the overlapping board above it.
Using a pry bar, carefully work the damaged board free from the wall without damaging adjacent boards.
Cut and fit a new board (ideally from matching lumber). Leave a small gap for expansion.
Nail the new board in place with corrosion-resistant siding nails.
Reattach any trim pieces and replace the overlapping board.
Caulk gaps if needed, prime, and repaint once dry.

Proper board orientation, nailing schedule, and spacing preserve the look and shed water effectively.

Fixing Loose or Detached Boards

Boards that become detached or loose can sometimes be salvaged using careful re-securing techniques:

Remove any remaining nails from the loose board and pry it gently into its correct position without damaging adjacent boards.
From the inside, drill pilot holes through the subfloor behind the siding and into the loose board.
Drive 3″ exterior screws into the pilot holes using a drill to pull the board tight to the wall without splitting the wood.
Make pilot holes and add screws every 12-16″ along the board length.
Look for and address any moisture issues causing the original failure.
Fill old nail holes with putty and touch up paint as needed.

Pilot drilling prevents cracking and splits when reattaching loose boards properly.

Patching Holes and Damaged Areas

For small damaged spots in wood siding:

Mark out a rectangular patch area extending several inches beyond the damaged section.
Use a circular saw or jigsaw to carefully cut out the marked patch area, preserving the removed wood.
Prepare a patch piece to fit from matching lumber (or the wood removed).
Glue and clamp the patch in place. Drill pilot holes and nail off edges.
Use putty, caulk, and touch up paint to blend the patch.
Sand smooth when dry before priming and painting.

Larger damaged areas may require replacing whole boards or cutting custom wood patches.

Repairing Woodpecker Damage

Woodpecker holes and related damage can be fixed by:

Establishing why the woodpecker is damaging the home and deterring it through humane steps like noisemakers.
Assessing the holes and removing any loose damaged wood around them.
Cutting wood patches slightly larger than each hole from scrap siding lumber.
Gluing and driving the patches into holes. Allow to dry completely.
Sanding patches flush and smooth with the existing boards.
Filling any crevices with caulk and spot priming before painting.

Prevent future damage by installing metal sheathing, hanging deterrents, or applying chemical deterrents to affected areas.

Replacing Trim and Fascia

Wood trim, fascia, corner boards, and soffits also decay and become damaged over time. When deterioration is severe:

Remove the damaged wood components completely. Pry components free gently with a flat pry bar.
Obtain replacement trim boards matched to the original size and profile.
Cut replacement pieces to fit. Miter join corners and allow for expansion gaps.
Secure new pieces with finishing nails and exterior wood glue. Fill nail holes with putty.
Seal any gaps with caulk. Sand everything smooth.
Prime all new wood and paint to match existing trim color.

Maintaining exterior trim helps protect underlying wood and preserves the home’s overall look.

Advanced Repair Techniques

More involved wood siding repairs like full wall replacement or siding restoration utilize additional techniques and materials. Common advanced repair jobs include:

Full Siding Replacement

For severely damaged wood siding walls beyond piecemeal repair, full siding removal and replacement may be warranted:

Remove all existing trim, flashings, and siding completely after documenting original details.
Inspect and address any structural or moisture issues on the underlying sheathing.
Install house wrap as needed.
Cut and fit new siding boards per manufacturer specs (typically with a 1/8″ gap). Nail every 6-12″.
Reinstall trim, recreating original look. Caulk gaps.
Prime and paint the new siding.

Full siding replacement allows for improved installation practices while restoring home aesthetics.

Refinishing Existing Siding

Instead of replacing original siding, refinishing can restore grayed, weathered boards:

Repair any cracks, holes, or damage using methods above. Replace unsound boards.
Pressure wash siding thoroughly to remove chalky paint and expose bare wood. Let dry completely.
Scuff sand to improve paint adhesion before priming and painting.
For unpainted wood, apply wood restorer to rejuvenate the look before staining/sealing.

Proper prep work allows original wood siding to be revitalized.

Installing New Sheathing

Sheathing issues like rot, inadequate thickness, or delamination may necessitate new sheathing under existing siding:

Remove siding boards carefully by prying up from the bottom, leaving nails attached to each board.
Install new plywood sheathing per local codes and manufacturer instructions.
Install house wrap over new sheathing.
Reattach original siding boards by aligning over old nail holes and driving in any loose nails.

Sheathing provides a smooth, sturdy base to reinstall siding properly.

Repairing Masonry Chimneys

Wood siding adjacent to damaged brick or stone chimneys requires special care:

Use scaffolding or lifts for safe access to chimney surfaces.
Remove loose mortar and bricks/stones using chisels and hand tools.
Clean out deteriorated mortar thoroughly before repointing and replacing bricks. Match mortar closely.
Support and protect wood siding boards near the chimney while working.
Prime and paint siding near repaired chimney area.

Proper masonry repair techniques prevent further deterioration of chimneys and surrounding wood.

Maintaining Repaired Siding

Regular maintenance helps wood siding repairs last long term. Recommended maintenance includes:

Inspect siding annually for new damage, paying attention to vulnerable areas. Look for cracks at ends/edges of boards.
Repaint exterior siding every 4-6 years with quality exterior primer and paint. Look for paint failure indicators like peeling.
Clean siding gently every 2-3 years with low pressure washing – avoid damaging the wood.
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed back from the home. Prune branches touching siding. Prevent debris buildup and plant-caused moisture.
Ensure sprinklers and drainage systems keep water away from siding. Avoid wetting siding when watering lawns/gardens.
Install siding-protective backer boards behind climbing plants. Keep vines trimmed back.

Ongoing maintenance helps preserve repairs and extends the life of your wood siding.

Hiring a Professional

Extensive wood siding damage often requires hiring a trained siding repair contractor. Professional siding experts:

Have specialized tools, materials, and skills to make lasting repairs properly.
Can accurately match and mill custom wood siding and trim pieces.
Have access to lift equipment for safely working at heights.
Know proper techniques for restoring original siding correctly.
Can diagnose and fix underlying causes leading to damage like moisture issues.

For complex repair projects, the services of a professional siding company help protect your investment and peace of mind while restoring curb appeal and property value. Get estimates from multiple established contractors before hiring.

Conclusion

Wood siding brings timeless beauty and texture to homes, but also requires periodic repairs to keep it looking its best. Paying attention to potential damage and utilizing the right materials and techniques allows you to repair wood siding successfully. Matching replacement pieces, sealing cracks, replacing trim, refinishing, and other repairs can restore the appearance and function of aging wood siding. Ensure repairs stay protected through diligent maintenance. For major repairs beyond DIY work, contact professional siding contractors to make your home beautiful again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Repairing Wood Siding

Wood siding repair projects often bring up many questions for homeowners. Here are answers to some of the most common FAQs:

What are signs I need wood siding repairs?

Look for cracked, buckled, warped, or rotting boards; sections with paint failure, large holes/gaps, or pest damage; boards pulling away from the home; and excess moisture on siding. These signal a need for repairs.

Can I mix wood types when replacing damaged siding?

It’s best to replace damaged boards with the same wood species and thickness to maintain a consistent look. Don’t mix soft and hardwood boards.

How do I stop woodpeckers damaging my siding?

Stop woodpeckers by removing food sources, scaring with deterrents like fake owls or mylar tape, applying bitter-tasting repellent, or installing metal sheathing over damaged areas.

Should I remove lead paint before repairing older wood siding?

Proper lead paint removal involves containment, chemical stripping, power washing, and repainting. For small repairs, take precautions to minimize dust when disturbing paint.

What is the best way to clean wood siding?

Clean using low pressure water between 500-1200 PSI and mild detergents. Avoid abrasive cleaning or high-pressure water that could damage the siding.

How often should you replace wood siding?

With proper maintenance, quality wood siding can last 50 years or longer before needing full replacement. Refinishing and repairs extend siding lifespan significantly.

Why does wood siding warp and how do you fix it?

Improper installation, sustained moisture, or inadequate underlying support causes warping. Realign with screws or replace boards as needed. Address underlying moisture issues.

What is the most durable wood for exterior siding?

Western red cedar, white oak, cypress, redwood, and South American hardwoods offer the most rot resistance, stability, and durability for exterior siding.

How much does it cost to repair wood siding?

Costs range based on siding type, repair extent, accessibility, and labor rates. Small repairs may range $200-500. Large projects can cost several thousand dollars or more.

This covers some of the most common questions about proper wood siding repair techniques, causes of damage, replacement recommendations, and related topics. Proper methods and materials make repair projects successful.