How to Replace Damaged Vinyl Siding | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner repair sections of his vinyl siding that have holes.
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Time: 3 hours
Cost: $100
Skill Level: Moderate
Tools List for Replacing Damaged Vinyl Siding:
Hammer
Utility knife
Speed square
Shopping List:
Vinyl siding pieces
Siding nails
Zip tool
Steps:
1. When vinyl siding is first installed, it is nailed through a nailing strip. The bottom of the next course is locked in to the nailing strip of the course below.
2. When replacing siding, try to purchase a piece from the same manufacturer in the same color.
3. Work your hand in to a seam between pieces, then release the siding from the nailing strip.
4. Pull the nails holding the damaged siding and remove the damaged piece.
5. Push the new piece into the nailing strip of the course below.
6. Nail the siding loosely to allow for expansion and contraction.
7. If the whole piece of siding isn’t damaged, the damaged section can be cut away using a utility knife and speed square.
8. Cut the patch long. Remove a piece of the nailing strip and on the back to allow for expansion and contraction.
9. To lock the final piece in place, use a zip tool.
Resources:
Tom uses a zip tool to reinstall vinyl siding, which can be found at the local home center.
Replacement siding can be found at a building products store or a vinyl siding distributor.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Replace Damaged Vinyl Siding | Ask This Old House
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[@TheMaritimeHorror]

As a millennial homeowner who didn’t have a father growing up, I really appreciate the channel for teaching me these skills. They’ve saved me so much time, money and headache.

[@davyannajones]

What does being a millennial have to do with your sperm donor?

[@danielsorenson6981]

Probably that they where never taught how to to read and absorb the Wisdom of the Bible and bringing their kids up in it and now their kids have completed losing our Nation and deconstructing it. And completed the Moral Decay and the fabric is Gone.

[@johnames6430]

Most fathers don't know any of this and it's rare for them to teach you anything useful these days. My dad knows NOTHING, I had to learn everything on my own and from shows like this.

[@MHobbs06]

This video has been helpful with replacing some vinyl siding after a grilling accident. I remember my dad watching This Old House when I was a kid. I’m 36 now.

[@nolansanders2503]

I’m licensed and insured and I still come to watch this old man get after it

[@stevew5969]

These guys have been around for decades….and for a very good reason. They are amazing.

[@jamesbrubaker8395]

So grateful for Tommy and all of TOH team for their generous sharing of time and talent.

[@harriglnola7655]

This video is exactly what I needed to help my son to repair some damaged vinyl siding at his home. Thanks immensely! Your video could not have come out at a better time for us.

[@carlottasmith4711]

I love this! I had a rock from the lawnmower put a hole in my siding about a year ago. I am a 48 year old 'do it myself' woman and I now feel like I can do this.

[@alphabetsoup6681]

Carlotta, were you able to get that done? We just found ANOTHER cracked spot in our siding. That makes up to 4 single spots that need to be replaced. But they would be all patch jobs like in the 2nd half of the video. I think we can do it if we can match the color of the siding.

[@gloriawilliams2745]

I’ll come help you, then you can come help me.😅

[@magdalen5108]

Ya same a screw was thrown from the lawn mower and damaged my siding. I do everything myself for my family. It's a lot sometimes. This looks like it'll be easier than I thought thank goodness.

[@salbahejim]

I've never known how siding is installed and linked together. This was a wonderful demonstration!

[@ajjmunoz]

I love how ATOH is incorporating visualizations for concepts. I love seeing how someone does the work but sometimes having a visual representation of a concept is what makes the difference. Thanks to all that help to put these videos out. BTW I'm a happy ATOH charter member, in fact just got my "Silva brothers construction" ATOH t-shirt in the mail today 😊

[@denispalacios5485]

Tired of hiring contractors that abuse in price and cheat on materials. I have been fixing my house on KZbin for 3 years now. I just don’t save money but I also fixed it with love.

[@monkeyfinger7949]

Tommy is the bomb man! I have learned so much from this guy and this old house over the years. I am very thankful for this show, Norm, and Tommy who gave me the confidence to tackle construction projects around my house. I have been able to do everything myself since I was a teen because of these guys. May they live forever!

[@gregsplace.greecenewyork2744]

Let's Keep *Rodger* *Cook* in our Thoughts and prayers. It's confirmed he is battling some illnesses but he will be on from time to time. We wish you all the Best Rodger! Rodger has also ask for privacy for himself and his family during his fight.

[@AStanton1966]

I wonder if he was exposed to too much Round Up?

[@petebusch9069]

@@AStanton1966 Really!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MoranGuyVideos]

Tom silva is the best!!!

[@l.nguyen9176]

He is the pro of the pros

[@chriswrerup]

Thanks guys! The video helped me repair vinyl siding on my condo that I melted with my BBQ! 30 mins watching video. 2 hours to repair three 6' panels. Now I look like a hero! Thanks!

[@1wadup]

I loved the illustration at the beginning, instead of just explaining it.... I already knew all of it, but nice to see that demonstration. Find an owner that actually wants to help/learn next time!! He just stood there during the removal.

[@fnhwk]

allen sisson what does it matter? He is watching it being done. He is the customer.

[@brandontaylor6326]

Some people learn better observing.

[@billhampton8004]

So glad I watched this before I repaired my siding that pulled away from the wall.

[@hecr799]

Very detailed, thank you for providing these videos!

[@mr.raslyon6626]

I knew it was a simple job, but not that simple....I feel bad leaving that broken siding up now. Off to Home Depot!!

[@invictuz4803]

How did it go? Did the new siding colour bleach over time to match the old siding?

[@mr.raslyon6626]

@@invictuz4803 ....I feel bad saying it but...I still havent done it. I did go to Home Depot though....😅 This summer, I promise.

[@invictuz4803]

@@mr.raslyon6626 Haha that's hilarious! I'll check back next year ;).

[@SC-lc7tm]

@@mr.raslyon6626 did you make it this time? lol

[@mr.raslyon6626]

@@SC-lc7tm I sold that house a few weeks ago and moved 🤣 BUT, I did go to Home depot and fixed it as requested by the buyer. My new home is twice as large, but needs a full siding upgrade 🤣🤣 Hows that for irony?

[@colliedogboy]

Thank you, thank you!! I have been needing to do this kind of repair to my siding, and I had no idea how to do it! You guys are tops!

[@Greg_M308]

Thank you. This video allowed a very unhandy guy to replace his broken siding.

[@sammythestud5809]

I'm literally about to replace a section of melted siding and this video is a god send. It's my exact type of siding and everything. Thank you guys for making this content

[@bighammer587]

The Insulation contractors who were in there first are hacks 1:55 The Tyvek was sliced open to gain access, and was not properly re-flashed with additional wrap. No conscience.

[@Ace2Trill]

Noticed the same thinf

[@autonomy5649]

Yeah right? No surprise. It also doesn't look from the close up like they caulked the plugs (I'm no expert but has this done on my house).

[@AStanton1966]

An old man who use to work at my local lumber yard had a saying: "A man on a galloping horse will never see it."

[@rezneba101]

@@AStanton1966 If you ever him again, tell him he's the problem.

[@AStanton1966]

@@rezneba101 I believe the guy is long since dead.

[@laurieelliott2170]

This is SO very helpful! Thank you! A single mom/grandmother who needs badly help with house stuff ! :)

[@ricciodrake]

Simple straightforward directions, well done, sir

[@bobcobb7719]

Tom Silva is a true master craftsmen.

[@ashleym586]

Thank you! I had a corner piece that had pulled away, so I needed to pull off several pieces to fix it. This gave me the know how I needed, and also explained a random tool I had found in my garage! TOH to the rescue again.

[@paulschmitz5047]

Lets be honest; Tom Silva is a genius.

[@dukeman7595]

Ole Tom is the best contractor This Old House..

[@tremendousbookreviews]

Just wanted to say Thank you for posting this video. By showing me how to do this myself you saved me $400. A contractor was trying to fleece me. Thank you again!

[@justinstevenson2061]

I wouldn’t call it fleece. It’s called running a business. People seem to always lol and say “$400 to do only that?” As they only consider the time spent on the job at their home. But first the person has to pay for experience which is needed to do this work. To find the colour matching piece which isn’t always easy. To own and maintain the truck / ladders / needed materials and tools. Also to carry contractors insurance. Driving time to and from your home. Driving time to get the siding after viewing your home. Gas, vehicle wear and tear etc etc etc. The risk and liability of doing ladder work. As this vid shows on the ground level a lot of siding repairs are ladder jobs.

[@jimgreenberg2140]

I just replaced a piece of broken siding after watching this video. Easy and perfect. Thanks.

[@deanfender7965]

Best siding VIDEO I 've SEEN

[@ImTheJoker4u]

Of course theres a special tool!!! I ended up making that tool from an old butter knife when I did a siding repair years ago. Worked just as well ;-)

[@deckgun31]

John Ulicky I just looked. You can get one wherever you purchase your siding ... for less than $7. That's less than it would cost me to make one.

[@nuratdinsuleyman]

TOMMY MAN THANK YOU LIVE LONG AND MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY LIKE YOU DO🤙

[@nelsta1489]

OMFG!! THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!!!!! I HAVE BULLET HOLES in my siding on a home I bought and now I can remove them.

[@clarktenney3740]

I love this guy. Not that I know a lot but I know more because of Tom

[@asishmazumder]

Wonderful video helps a lot. I watched this video and replaced damaged Vinyl Siding with my wife in our home today.

[@dalefancher]

Look forward to repairing my blunder. Caught a chuck of siding with my lawnmower and demolished it. I have a spare piece so I will give it a whirl.. Thanks for sharing.

[@UnburdenedByWhatHasBeen]

How the heck do you know what manufacturer you have?

[@MolsonsX]

Thanks for this video. A partridge slammed into my house and smashed a section of siding between the bedroom window and the corner of the house. Now I know how to fix it :)

[@tuity3357]

Thanks so much for sharing this… it’s so simple. I feel I can replace my damaged pieces and I don’t have to beg my hubby or find anyone else for that matter thanks 🙏🏾 save me some money and stress ❤

[@buckyteel4129]

Helpful video. I (mistakenly) painted my siding, which caused warping on the west side in the Summer. I'll replace the few long warped runs w/o having to redo the whole wall.

[@patmash]

Video came just in time, doing this exact repair tomorrow. Thanks once again TOH.

[@pjmtts]

Pat Masherelli I can only hope you don’t nail too loose as Tom mistakenly has shown here or you will have noisy siding that rattles in the wind. There are far more comprehensive videos on KZbin from real siding contractors

[@harrysteinfeldt3495]

Really like these guys... never replaced vinyl siding, but now I think I can repair holes in my place!

[@charlietaylormtb293]

I am weird I watch this sort of stuff for fun I LOVE DIY

[@Engineer9736]

Zerbie 123 Me too, while i haven’t even ever seen a house with such siding with my own eyes lol

[@pjmtts]

You aren’t weird but if you installed siding with nails that loose you would be a fool.

[@pjmtts]

ganymedeIV4 nope it’s supposed to hang and hold close but not tight. Here they hung it loose as a goose and it will rattle and shake in the wind

[@cup_and_cone]

Most manufacturers say about 1/8th of an inch is what you want. Just enough so it's not pinching and moves slightly.

[@Engineer9736]

ganymedeIV4 You are repeating the things said in the video as if you are telling them yourself

[@charlottehanna790]

Oh! You guys at THIS OLD HOUSE. Love how you explain your work. I can see the reasons why or why not I am to sell to people how much of which product (in order to be most accurate for them). LOL. I know that you know what I mean. We have Starter, J Channel, and Trim in addition to the Siding itself. Also, I understand we take into consideration the number of doors and windows for the "trim".

[@stephenzies8867]

Tom Silva Is The Greatest

[@tomchen5731]

Very handy when I now need to do my first siding repair from bloody wind last night

[@curiosity2314]

The Zip tool made it happen for me in this video. Worth having or something similar with this type or project.

[@123bluespinner]

Great Video Thanks . I would have taped up the house wrap that was cut before replacing the siding

[@W.Vanderbilt]

I am saddened to hear about Roger Cook but understand his decision and I wish him and his family nothing but the best!!!

[@fengye814]

At 1:55 when the old siding is removed, you can clearly see the inside house wrap is also broken. Shouldn't this be fixed before putting back the siding? I don't know how to fix the house wrap though, I think you will need to add a long piece there.

[@zachmooremn]

I noticed that also and cringed a little. All you have to do is use the correct tape to repair this. I'm surprised whoever insulated didn't do this...probably because they figured the homeowner would never know.

[@ScorchinScooter]

*Great video! July 2019 I need to do some repairs to our vinyl siding! Great tips and video! Thanks for the help "This Old House"!!*

[@jseahmed2432]

Look like future work that never ends .

[@leob7796]

Great video. I'm gonna put that knowledge into practice this weekend fixing my siding. Thank you.

[@maker13matheson43]

Tommy makes it look so easy

[@ScottB0107]

Before putting on the piece covering the cut house wrap, wouldn’t you want to tape that first?

[@pjmtts]

Siding need only be nailed loose to the point where the nail head touches to hold close to the sheathing but still able to move side to side with little effort. If you install siding with nail heads that loose you will have siding which rattles and shakes in the wind. As shown here it’s far too loose by a few millimeters

[@augustreil]

pjmtts, I thought it was wayyyyyyyyy too loose also. It just needs to slip during the heat and cool cycle.

[@hdrk59]

I agree

[@buckhorncortez]

Luckily, we don't use millimeters in America, so everything will be just fine...

[@pjmtts]

Buckhorn Cortez we have a winner! I literally bet my wife that because I used the M word someone would say something in some way about the metric system. You get bonus points too for added humor👍

[@aceroc20able]

I agree. I've done hundreds of siding jobs and never nailed it that loosely. Like mentioned the siding will rattle a lot in windy conditions.

[@franciscoalfonsin950]

Thank you for teaching as all your experience a priciet so much and congratulations you are so good teacher on the construction and remodeling good bless you and your beautiful family....

[@_celestial_8752]

First time homebuyer and this was sooooo helpful!!!

[@nosracsmra6833]

Perfect video. Just what i needed. I got some wind damage and a stray rock from the mower to fix on the siding. Thanks!

[@kathygill1923]

Great DIY tutorial...THANK YOU! After removing a gas heater from our exposed basement, we are left with a square of exposed wall about 12"×12" where the unit exhausted. Siding needs replacing on the entire house but not in the budget right now. Of all the leftover bits we inherited upon purchase of the property, a spare piece of siding was not among them. It's a profile that is not in our local stores, being over 24 yo...where to find a small bit of siding? A contractor ripping off old siding?

[@utseay]

Thanks Tom...may try to replace a few pieces sometime this year.

[@wayne12735]

Good demonstration explaining everything Tom Sylvia

[@trionone]

I have to replace about 5, 4 FT panels close to the top of the house. Will be fun.

[@Axxetto]

Done yet?

[@ej9315]

Thank you for the tips. Made that job so much easier.

[@conniepratt2039]

Mr. Tom, I enjoy Y'ALLS show So Much! Thank you~🤗

[@asquithmainlines699]

Very good video, the only other thing I would have done is used some Tuck Tape to repair that slash in the house wrap. Whoever did that previous was very unprofessional.

[@HyperactiveNeuron]

Perfect! Just in time for me to replace a few panels for my Mom LOL

[@larrybair8074]

I miss seeing you Tommy and Norm also.

[@misselder1]

Thanks a million for this video! I can’t afford to reside but can definitely afford to replace the few chipped up panels. Hooray!

[@pjmtts]

Tom didn’t want to replace that last piece whole because it would be more work to deal with that window and take more courses off

[@johnkennedy9486]

He also showed that you don't need a whole of piece of siding one that is skilled at repairing can just repair a section with a old piece of siding. Which is something I didn't realize wasn't difficult for a professional to do. Didn't notice that that was a window piece; good observation.

[@peterkay2406]

Very well explained, now I'm ready! Thanks so much for the video

[@jeanne819]

Wish you lived near me !!! I have two broken pieces on back of my colonial (yellow jacket nest in one now) and I was told by a reputable ? company I had to have the entire rear of the house redone at a cost of 13K - life in Dutchess County NY

[@EvanDunville]

This was helpful I need to fix some vynak sideing on my house!

[@levin448]

Nicely done.

[@zell863]

I comment badly about yours crown molding installation video but I liked this one. Very helpful.

[@william7108]

Tommy you're the man I'm doing one right now and I do have that tool to put in the last piece the tie in peace awesome thanks I'm just getting ready to do it right now thanks a lot okay appreciate it

[@Direct_Home_Inspections]

Legend has it the helper is still nailing to this day

[@TNtoolman]

The overlaps of the siding should always be so that the overlapping piece is toward the front of the house and the under-lapping piece is to the back of the house... otherwise when you look down the side from the front of the house each joint will jump out at you...

[@iflex1963]

What if you look down the siding from the back of the house?

[@0607ray]

This video helped a lot. I’m ready for my project

[@abdulazizsaleh9567]

You are a great Man👌 Thanks.. You explained how to do stuff in easy way😊 I just love it Keep up. Thanks again 👍

[@MyAlex1333]

Great great now im ready to replace some of my damage siding thank you very much

[@PROJECT_936_dot_NET]

Exceptional demonstration You have inspired me to work on my channel, thanks. 🐼

[@christopherkingsland4604]

Great video !! So simple to do !!

[@Axxetto]

Mine just puffed up because I'm an idiot and I use my grill close to the side of my house. Thx for this video I replaced them.

[@MiltonGeorges]

same. haha - Summer BBQs in full effect!

[@TravisInCanada1]

Great video and very helpful, I would love to see a video on replacing vinyl siding corner capping. Mine has had a hole broken through it and I have no idea how to replace the it.

[@ImTheJoker4u]

The corner is a whole nother animal. Its the first thing attached when installing siding. As you already know, all of the siding is in the channel, which hides the nails. You would have to remove all the peices in the channel on both sides to access the nails. You could try to pull the siding nails 4-6' back from the corner, and pull the siding away from the corner. Any way you slice it, replacing a corner is a real PITA.

[@pjmtts]

If you really can’t figure that out you need to call on someone to do it for you. The one part of this video which shows correct methods is the removal of the siding ( the rest is improperly done). Seeing how to remove should give you a clear idea how to remove a corner cap. In any case if you do try to diy it be sure and confident you get it done right because if you remove that cap and fail to replace it not only will your corner be open till a pro can fix it but most will charge more to fix your mistake.

[@odeogbole2297]

Thanks for the video!

[@JamesThomas-lu2uc]

Thank you. I needed this.

[@marcusstory6517]

Helpful. Thank you.

[@joebaucom4537]

Great Job !

[@ianburns1704]

Is the same process used for aluminum siding, I have a strip in the middle of a wall that came loose I simply want to re-attach it. Thanks for any imput

[@jeremydavis2595]

Great video Tom!

[@grenjith]

Thank you

[@SR-ci5vf]

Great Video. Thanks for the help.

[@cannibalbananas]

Wonderful video. Now I'm more confident I can do my own repair. :)

[@laurieelliott2170]

Oh, and how do you find out what kind of siding it is and from what company? Will it be available at a home repair store?

[@fernandoullaguari9073]

It looks great Tom

[@bosse641]

Great job.

[@peterhelmus94]

Whoops, you forgot to repair or replace the torn Tyvek, it was torn almost completely from side to side. Any moisture/condensation is going straight to the wall underneath. I am, the Siding Guru, from Vancouver, BC.

Thanks!