How To Repair Aluminum Siding

Learn how to repair aluminum siding and patch holes both big and small! This step past step tutorial volition show you how to fix holes in aluminum siding easily!

After moving the electric meter to a new location, we were left with a big hole in our aluminum siding. A temporary patch was put in place and the whole matter was forgotten virtually for years. Today, I'm showing you how to repair aluminum siding and fix holes both large and pocket-sized!

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This eyesore on the back of the house has been bothering me for ages, but it e'er got pushed down the to-do list. Now that I'm giving the lawn a makeover, it's fourth dimension to fix it upward!

Materials Needed to Repair Aluminum Siding

• Electric metallic shears
• Metallic snips
• Scrap aluminum siding
  • We saved the siding that was removed when nosotros turned a window into a sliding glass door for our new deck. If you don't have extra and can't discover an verbal lucifer, try taking a piece from the back of a shed or garage, and so supercede it with something visually like in the inconspicuous location.
• Waterproof repair tape
  • This stuff is amazing! It forms a watertight bond that can be used to seal up gaps and holes in aluminum siding.
• Gutter sealant
  • Used to seal up seams and gaps in cut edges of aluminum siding.
• Aluminum repair epoxy
  • Perfect for filling smaller holes from screws, nails or bolts.
• Latex gloves for working with sealant and epoxy.
• Cut resistant work gloves for handling sharp edges of aluminum.

Don't forget your safety gear! Here are my recommendations for safety glasses and ear protection. No excuses!

How to Repair Aluminum Siding

Cut away the damaged surface area

Offset, I ripped down everything roofing the pigsty and removed the weird frame with a crowbar.

Information technology looks pretty scary, only I'g relieved there weren't whatsoever creepy-crawly things or water damage inside. I used an oscillating multi-tool like this one to cut the framing back to be level with the surrounding walls, then fastened a ¼" plywood backing with brad nails.

Employ waterproof repair tape to edges

I wanted to cover up those gaps for actress insurance against moisture or insects. This stuff bonds to aluminum and other surfaces for a water tight seal, while all the same allowing for expansion and wrinkle as the temperature changes.

I applied the tape effectually the entire hole, overlapping it with the intact siding an inch or two. This had the added benefit of belongings down the edges of the existing siding that had curled up slightly over time.

Cutting off the flange from the bottom strip of siding

Effort equally I might, I just couldn't get the interlocking flanges at the bottom of the existing siding to come apart. I even got i of these siding removal tools to pop them loose, but information technology wouldn't budge!

And then instead, I cutting off the bottom flange from the beginning strip of siding. Electrical metal shears make this procedure soooo much easier than hand shears!

I traced the shape of the conduit onto the dorsum and cut it out with the aforementioned shears. I as well cut away the nailing strip on the height where it will overlap with the existing siding.

It took a few trips back and forth to the shop to go the fit correct, but it finally slid into place!

Apply Gutter Sealant to Dorsum Edges

The onetime siding wasn't in the best shape later getting ripped off the wall, then there are a few dents forth the edges. I used gutter sealant similar a glue to concur the edges of the patch to the existing siding.

Put on latex gloves beginning, because you don't want this stuff on your skin! Run a bead of sealant along all the cut edges except the nailing strip at the top.

And then press the siding piece in place. In one case it holds in place on its own, drive nails through the nailing strip and into the backing. The siding should hang on the nails slightly so that it tin expand and contract with the weather (metallic expands in the heat!)

Piece of work your way up the wall

The adjacent few pieces just needed notches cut out on the ends so it could slide under the existing siding. I was getting into a groove at this betoken and forgot to accept photos of the notches. Oops!

Once you get to the top, cut off the nailing strip the same mode you cut off the lesser flange. Try to brand this cutting as close to the edge of the strip as possible and then it lines upward with the underside of the existing siding.

Seal all edges with gutter sealant or silicone

To prevent insects from working their way under the siding, I sealed all the edges with more gutter sealant. Information technology might accept been overkill, but I'd rather have to bargain with touching up paint than a hive of bees in the walls!

Make certain your sealant says it allows for seasonal movement, or you'll get buckling in the summer when the metal expands!

Fill smaller holes with aluminum repair epoxy

While I was at information technology, I decided to remove the old hose holder from the wall in this area. I'll be moving my potting bench to that spot, which already has a hose reel on the side.

Subsequently unscrewing it from the siding, I was left with a few smaller holes in the aluminum siding to patch up.

Don your latex gloves once more, then pull off a small chunk of aluminum repair epoxy from the tube. Mix the two components together thoroughly, and then push button the putty into the pigsty with your fingertip.

Peel off any excess so the patch is flush with the front of the aluminum siding. Work fast, because this stuff sets up quick!

Affect up pigment

Once the sealant and epoxy cures (cheque the label for cure times), you can bear upon upwardly the paint in the repaired areas. If yous don't have any house paint, bring a pocket-sized piece of the replacement siding to the pigment store to be color matched.

I cleaned the aluminum siding in this area outset, then painted the repaired department and the gray conduit so it all blends into the original siding. While it'south certainly not perfect, information technology'south meliorate than the before!

The repaired area is still obvious considering all the seams line upwards. I'll be hiding this wall behind a vertical planter, so it won't be seen. If your area to exist repaired is in a loftier visibility spot, I suggest staggering the seam lines or lining them up with a window or door.

A professional siding installer has the tools to cut aluminum siding without that crash-land on the ends, simply I'1000 no professional! 😉 I'm just relieved to finally take this aluminum siding repair complete! Now I tin can remainder easy knowing that our home is watertight and non beingness invaded by insects!

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Source: https://www.thehandymansdaughter.com/how-to-repair-aluminum-siding/

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