Vinyl is tough , but not indestructible – it often cracks under impact. This is especially true at low temperatures =. Patch small cracks by removing the damaged piece , cleaning the crack PVC primer, and gluing a patch of scrap siding from behind with PVC cement.
If large areas are damaged , the entire piece may have to be replaced . This isn t a major undertaking, because replacement pieces are fairly easy to install. But vinyl siding does fade with time, so your patch or replacement piece may not be perfect color match at first.
It s easy to remove a damaged section because each course of vinyl locks into the course below or beside it. The siding is nailed through a flange molded into the top of the course . All you need is a simple tool, called a zip tool, to unlock the pieces. When working with vertical siding, you pull the zip tool down the seam.
Restoring Aluminum
Although siding provides good weather protection and is easy to maintain , a stray baseball or large hailstones can dent it. Slight damage can be patched the procedure for repairing dents in aluminum siding is a lot like repairing a dented car fender . It consist of pulling out the dent , sanding the area , and applying two-part auto body putty. Once the surface is dry , you can san , prime, and paint it. For minor surface imperfections , you can use steel wool . It also helps to know the manufacturer and color of the siding , because you may be able to purchase a touch up kit in the original color.
You may need need to replace areas with more serious damage , although you should try other repairs, first for two reasons. First aluminum is not as flexible as vinyl; its more difficult to weave one piece into an existing wall. Second you may not find replacement pieces that match your old siding. If the repair is in a conspicuous place, you may want to consider removing and using a piece from a less obvious part of the house and then replacing that piece with new material.
Important for water damage mold issue is the r value factor and vapor barriers between the siding drywall.
A vapor barrier is a layer of thin material , typically thin plastic sheeting and sometimes foil, that prevents moisture generated inside the house from seeping into exterior the wall and condensing . It lies over the wall frame, under the drywall. Without this barrier , which is standard in modern homes but lacking in many built in 1960, moisture working through the wall can meet a surface that is below the dew point temperature . Thats when moisture becomes water that can soak insulation , cause rot in the wall frame , and peel paint mold damage. If you are installing new siding, don t add a vapor barrier over the outside wall . It will stop moisture from escaping. And much of the damage can be hidden until the problems mushroom into major repair projects such water damage or mold remediation .