In the first half of 2023, the U.S. experienced nine significant weather/climate disasters that caused damage and losses of more than $1 billion. That's not counting the many smaller storms and weather events, and the millions in damage that those cause.
When high winds, hail, and heavy rain strike, the exterior of your home is always at risk of suffering damage. One common impact of storms on the exterior of the home is damage to the siding.
Vinyl siding is susceptible to damage from wind, falling tree branches, hail, and more. An errant baseball or even a lawnmower colliding with the side of your home can also lead to damage. If you notice a hole in your siding, you might wonder whether you can repair it yourself, or whether you need to call in professionals.
Keep reading to learn how to repair holes in vinyl siding, and when it's best to call in the experts.
How to Repair Holes in Vinyl Siding
Whether or not you can repair holes in your vinyl siding on your own largely depends on the size of the hole.
Fixing Small Holes
A very small hole in your siding can be repaired using paintable or tinted caulk. Simply apply the caulk to the hole, following the package's directions. Smooth the caulk until it's flush with the surface of the siding.
For a polished final look, paint the caulk to match your siding once it has dried.
Repairing Medium-Sized Holes
For medium-sized holes, you'll need to remove the affected vinyl siding parts. You can do this using a siding zip tool. After removing the piece of siding, apply foil tape to the back of the hole. Then, place the siding back in place on your home.
Now, you can use caulk to patch the hole, smoothing it until it is flush. After it has dried, you can then paint the caulk to match your home.
What to Do About Larger Holes
Larger holes are the most difficult to repair. In most cases, you'll need to replace the piece of affected siding.
If you have several large holes, don't have replacement pieces, or if your siding is past its prime, replacing your home's siding might be the best option. While installing vinyl siding is an investment, it can help protect your home from further damage caused by leaving holes exposed.
In some cases, the cost for a larger repair or replacement could be covered in part or full by your insurance company. This may be the case if your siding is newer and was damaged by a storm.
Repair and Replace Vinyl Siding
Learning how to repair holes in vinyl siding can allow you to quickly repair damage after a storm or other incident. Using a vinyl siding repair kit can save you from having to call in the pros for every little puncture mark.
However, if your siding has multiple holes or if the holes are too large to easily repair on your own, you'll want to call for help right away. Leaving holes in your home's siding can let water get in, and eventually cause damage to the walls of your home. This can add up to major repair costs down the road.
When you compare the cost of vinyl siding with the cost of replacing or repairing water-damaged walls, repairing your vinyl siding wins every time.
If your vinyl siding has holes or other damage, the experts at Signature Exteriors can help. Contact us today to schedule your repair.