Repairing Siding From Rot Damage

A single rotted clapboard can usually be replaced by the homeowner or the commercial maintenance crew by using the old rotted clapboard as a measurement board for the new siding plank.

Repairing siding from rot damage.

If the area of the siding you need to repair is larger than two to four inches the best and most permanent solution is to replace that particular panel of siding. You simply have to remove the damage section and fill in that particular area. However the amount of present rot can be deceptive. Carefully examine your t1 11 siding for signs of mold wood rot or beyond minor water damage.

The sheathing and framing sometimes need repairs too but that is less common. If you find a small portion of rotting wood you can prevent it from affecting the entire wood siding. Pry off the rotted boards. The goal was to get 2 3 inches above the inside of the siding.

A couple easy solutions that saved me tons of time was to gently pull up on the siding at the studs with a pry bar careful enough not to damage the siding but enough to loosen a nail or two. If the wood is discolored but the screwdriver test did not detect. The customer accepted our recommendation to use azek along the edge of the deck siding as it won t rot thus avoiding a repeat of this problem. In most cases the original layer of building paper or housewrap at the bottom of the wall was enough to prevent water infiltration and damage beneath the siding.

We tear off the damaged hardboard and replace it with fiber cement siding. Scrape off flaking paint and debris from the damaged area using a paint scraper. After you remove the rotted courses use a small hacksaw to cut any protruding nail shanks or if you have a very strong grip use a good pair of wire cutters. In cases of mold growth the siding panel affected will need to be replaced and it is a good idea to have a professional treat any mold to prevent it from returning.

Protect sound siding with a scrap piece of 1 4 in. This can be tough since so many times the siding is nailed down. Scrub the surface of the rot or damage with a wire brush to remove loose fibers and soft spots. Even the most well kept wood siding is susceptible to moisture and damage which will lead to rotted wood.