How to Repair Vinyl Siding (Quick Facts)

Although vinyl cladding is built to be strong and durable, it can be damaged just like any other building material. Fortunately, there are several ways to repair damaged vinyl siding.

With these step-by-step instructions, you will learn how to fill, patch or repair damaged vinyl protectors like a pro.

Can Vinyl Siding Be Repaired?

Vinyl walls are strong but can be damaged.

Worried about a falling tree branch or a happy baseball cracking some of your sidings? Don’t worry! 

With a zip and a new piece, you can make it new in about 15 minutes. It’s as simple as undoing the damaged part and inserting a new one.

Learning how to repair vinyl siding can help you DIY your project. With just the right tools and a little bit of a tweeter, you can immediately repair any loose holes, cracks, or sides of your home.

How To Repair Holes In Vinyl Siding?

Perforations on the outer edge allow moisture, insects, etc. to penetrate. Fortunately, holes in vinyl tracks can be easily repaired without professional help.

Repairing minor damage to vinyl protection is a quick task for comfortable homeowners.

The size of the hole affects how the hole in the vinyl side is repaired. Perhaps the most difficult part of the project is finding a new siding that matches the color of your home. 

Here is Fitzpatrick (n, d)’s suggestion on how to fix holes in vinyl siding.

Repairing a minor Perforation

If there is a small hole in the vinyl exterior, the repair is not difficult.

1. Use detergent to clean around the puncture.

2. Wipe the affected area with a cloth.

3. Cut the matching vinyl siding and insert the tube into the sealing gun.

4. Slide the seal into the hole to fill the space behind the hole.

5. After filling the hole slightly, scrape off excess sealant using a sealing machine.

For repairing an average-sized hole on vinyl siding

1. Unlock the bottom of the broken siding using the side brackets (available at home).

2. Apply the tape evenly over the opening through the back of the siding.

3. Lock the piece of vinyl siding back into its location

4. Apply a thin layer of outer sealant to the exposed foil tape.

Or, if you can’t find a suitable sealant, apply the equivalent color of paint.

Repairing A large Hole/Tear

According to (Fitzpatrick, n, d), large holes or tears in the side grooves require a little more effort to repair.

1. Use detergent to clean around the hole.

2. Wipe the affected area with a cloth.

3. Using a tool knife or scissors, cut a piece of siding a few inches longer than the opening.

4. Cut the top and bottom edges so that a flat part of the siding folds up and down.

5. Place the part over the hole to make sure it fits and folds properly. If not, continue until you trim the edges.

6. Cut the matching vinyl tip and insert the tube into the sealing gun.

7. Apply a generous amount of sealant to the back of the side grooves and apply one line of sealant around the hole.

8. Place the outer edge over the hole and press firmly to seal.

After drying, use a utility knife to cut off excess sealant.

How To Patch Vinyl Siding Hole?

If the hole or crack is too large to fill with the sealant, it’s a good idea to patch that area with siding of the same color.

It may require more work to close the hole, but it is worth repairing once the unsightly dent goes away (Burgos, 2019).

1. Clear the area.

Before starting work, clean the damaged area with soap and water. Let the area dry in the sun for at least 2 hours.

2. Cut the pieces.

Use the siding to cut an area slightly larger than the hole or crack. Trim the top perforated edge of the trim (strip with holes for nails). Be careful not to bend the edges. Similarly, cut the bottom edge of the vinyl insert.

3. Test the cut siding.

Place the piece over the hole or crack so that the fold on the lid matches the fold on the side groove. If necessary, cut the curved edges of the pieces until they fit snugly.

4. Patch it up

Place a small strip of sealant on the back of the cut piece and place a strip of sealant around the hole. Place the piece over the damaged area and press down to hold it in place and make sure the pieces stick together.

5. Let the sealant dry.

When the sealant dries, clean the area and wipe off excess sealant.

How To Repair Cracked Vinyl Siding?

The vinyl cladding has become more durable as technology has advanced but can crack over time.

Strong influences, incorrect positioning, and excessive exposure to sunlight can cause cracking (Home Decor, 2021).

If these cracks are not repaired, moisture can seep through the cracks and cause water damage. Repairing vinyl siding is an easy DIY task. By following our guidelines, you may hardly discover it originally had faults.

Repairing with sealant is quick and easy and works great for small cracks. For large defects that cannot be covered with sealant, you want to patch the cracks.

Wash and prepare the cracked part

Cleaning the area is an important step that, if left alone, can affect the integrity of the repair.

Clean cracks and surrounding areas with a clean, lint-free cloth (sticky linen is preferred), mild soap, and water.

If you wish, you can use distilled spirits instead of soap and water.

Whichever method you choose, make sure the surface is completely dry before proceeding with the compression step.

Prepare sealant in sealing gun (or use precision tip)

Load the sealer into the sealing gun. If you are not using a sealing gun, you can easily apply it by making sure the sealant you purchased has accurate precision.

It can be a difficult task if it takes time. A regular sealant works and you just need to be ready to paint.

Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the sealant you choose for drying and curing times. Then place the sealant on the cracked wall in a smooth, straight line.

Use a spatula to ensure a smooth application.

After applying the sealant, level the surface with a putty knife to the level of the siding.

Remember, you want it to look like solid siding when it’s dry. Leveling the surface may allow the sealant to completely penetrate the cracked area.

5. Use a utility knife to remove excess sealant.

When the sealant is dry and hard, scrape off any excess with a knife or razor. This provides a smoother surface and eliminates vision defects.

Apply Color if necessary

If no color sealant is found, paint must be applied over the sealant as soon as it heals. Apply the paint to the crack more than once using a bonding technique to match the outer edges.

Color matching can be difficult due to weather and weather conditions. The feathering process can help you to blend the crack with the rest part. Allow the paint to dry before touching the layer.

Best Glue To Repair Vinyl Siding

For small stains, use old plain contact cement. It works great!

If there are small holes, cut the side grooves larger, glue the side grooves and the Caulk, let them dry for a few minutes, then put them back in place.

Loctite’s Vinyl, Textile, and Flexible Plastic Adhesives are clear liquid adhesives designed for the repair and replacement of flexible plastics such as vinyl sheets, cushions, tarps, and outdoor devices. 

When dried, it forms a transparent waterproofing compound. This Loctite product is designed for surface repairs such as vinyl siding.

The limited flow tip allows hassle-free use and makes it easy to renovate or create vinyl spaces large and small.

The adhesive also becomes transparent and adheres quickly, preventing transfer movement and unsightly staining of the repair site after.

You can also use Andersen Windows’ vinyl cement, or vinyl lining cement for swimming pools.

RH Adhesives Industrial Durable Vinyl Cement Paste with Brush -RH HH-66 can also work.

RH Adhesives has been around for many years and is a trusted brand popular with artisans around the world. 

This HH-66 vinyl cement adhesive is a great industrial-quality alternative that holds all vinyl materials in place.

It is one of the best vinyl adhesives. Used as vinyl cement, a very tough formula creates a strong bond that can withstand significant wear and tear.

Many people also use it as a vinyl adhesive because of its high strength (GLUE FAQ, n.d).

Best Caulk For Vinyl Siding

Silicone caulk for outdoor use is the most widely used outdoor sealant due to its incredible strength and water resistance.

Also, silicone is a very versatile material, making it ideal for sealing vinyl siding. This type of exterior sealant usually cannot be painted, but many manufacturers offer several color options.

Latex and latex acrylics are the least durable outdoor sealants because once they harden they cannot expand and contract.

This stiffness means that it degrades much faster than the sealed outer silicone, polyurethane, or butyl rubber.

Silicone has better water resistance than polyurethane, whereas polyurethane works with most materials and forms an effective seal between two different materials (Dale, n.d).

Vinyl Siding Vs Aluminum Siding

Resistance is one of the most important characteristics of siding. The last thing you need as a homeowner is a dilapidated house because your sidetracks are worn out.

Aluminum and vinyl are the two most used materials for outside siding. Both of them are durable, but vinyl material is more durable.

Also unlike vinyl, aluminum siding is very susceptible to scratches and blemishes. Vinyl siding is much stronger and often twice as thick as aluminum.

The cost difference between aluminum tracks and vinyl tracks is very small. Aluminum cotton is usually slightly cheaper than vinyl cotton, but for good reason.

Vinyl cladding offers a better return on investment and more resale value than aluminum. Aluminum is fragile and can devalue your home over time.

Aluminum flanks do not perform well in extreme weather conditions. Aluminum absorbs heat in the summer, quickly warming the house. You have to rely heavily on air conditioning to cool off.

Vinyl cladding is resistant to cracks, warping, and corrosion and protects against any rodents that can slide down the outer edge. In terms of durability, energy efficiency, maintenance, and versatility, vinyl siding is the clear winner.

In terms of value for money, vinyl is still a winner because it can save money over time (Feldco, n.d).