5 simple steps for repairing damaged wood siding

If you're comfortable using basic woodworking tools such as saws, hammers and nails, then you'll be able to make repairs to wood siding. Here's how to tackle this do-it-yourself project in five simple steps.

• Hammer
• Small wedges of scrap timber and piece of scrap board
• Backsaw
• Keyhole saw
• Pinch or pry bar
• Hacksaw
• New weatherboard
• Saw
• Drill
• Wood preservative
• Galvanised nails
• Sealant or putty
• Exterior-grade primer and paint
• Paintbrush

• Drive small wedges of scrap wood beneath the damaged board.
• Also wedge a piece of scrap board into the gap to protect the board below the one you're repairing from the saw.
• Then use your backsaw to cut through the exposed portion of siding on each side of the damaged area.
• If you're repairing overlapping siding, you'll have to work from the top of the wall down.

• Use two wedges to raise the siding overlapping the damaged section.
• Reach up under the overlapping board with a keyhole saw to finish the cut.
• Remember to hold the saw with the blade's teeth pointed out.
• Remove the wedges.

• Pry up the damaged board with your pinch or pry bar resting on a piece of scrap board.
• Next, remove the scrap board and use your pinch or pry bar to tap the cladding gently back down, leaving the nailheads from the old board exposed.
• Pry out the nails.

• Insert two wedges under the board overlapping the damaged board then slip a hacksaw blade between the boards and cut through any hidden nails.
• With nails out of the way, remove the damaged section of the siding.
• Now cut a replacement board and drill the required nail holes.
• Be sure to treat the sawn edges of your new board with preservative.

• If replacing overlapping siding, work from the bottom of the wall upwards.
• Drive your new board into place using a hammer and a scrap block of wood.
• Secure it with galvanized nails to match the surrounding siding.
• Putty the nail holes and apply a gap sealant to the seams between the new and the old siding.
• Prime and paint your siding to finish the job.

Follow these five simple steps and you'll be on your way to making repairs to your wood siding like a pro.