Question about vinyl siding
I want to remove the bottom few pieces of the vinyl siding on my house. It is all chewed up and cracked from weed whacking. I tried to remove the very bottom piece, but I think it is nailed up under the next higher piece where I can't see it. Is there a trick to removing siding one row at a time, starting from the bottom?
Thanks for any help!
Thanks for any help!
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Just like the rich son does....you start at the top!!! 0 -
Maybe just get a cowbar and make room ? Then remove the nails and free that part you want to replace... 0 -
They make a little tool to unhook it from the one on top of it. You can get it at home depot. then you just have to be careful to get it back in correctly. Also, don't nail it too tight-it needs to slide to expand and contract. Vinyl siding moves-A LOT! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by GUNFUNCO
They make a little tool to unhook it from the one on top of it. You can get it at home depot. then you just have to be careful to get it back in correctly. Also, don't nail it too tight-it needs to slide to expand and contract. Vinyl siding moves-A LOT!
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And wait for the siding to get warm, it is more flexable, I have un snapped the lock by just pushing down on the piece just above the lock, once you get a end started, you can just slide a screwdriver along the lock to unlock the whole panel.
Don0 -
As has already been said. Start at the top (the top piece of siding may not be nailed just in the channel) Once the top piece is out of the way you'll see the nails for the next strip.
They do make a tool to loosen the locks but a sharp strike with the heels of your hands should be enough to unlock it. Reverse to lock it back in. Be sure the bottom piece of siding is locked into the (starter strip" at the very bottom when reinstalling. I have repaired more than a couple of homes where the bottom was not locked in and wind had gotten under the siding and removed it.
Allen0 -
We put siding on our house, I went out and looked at it, looks like youve gotta take it from the top down. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Jacob2008
We put siding on our house, I went out and looked at it, looks like youve gotta take it from the top down.
No, You don't, if you have the same siding you can pop the lock and put in new pieces BTDT. I worked as a siding installer for several years, and up until a few years ago did the occasional job on the side[:D][:D]
(still might take a job if the moneys good[:0][:D])
Don0 -
Nope, use the hooked tool, start at the piece above the one you want to remove. Slowly work the bottom channel out with the hooked tool all along that piece. This will expose the nails in the broken piece/pieces. Pull the nails and rehang your new siding. You noticed I rehang not nail tight. Vinyl siding expands and contracts in the heat and cold, sometimes up to over an inch. If you nail it tight it will either crack or buckle. Use a large headed roofing nail and gently nail in one of the vertical oblong nail holes. This is not a big job and is very easily accomplished. Be aware however the new siding may not match exactly due to weathering. One way to match old siding is to do the exact same process in an inconspicuous place and remove a good piece of weathered siding for a replacement. Then use the new piece for the out of the way area. No one will ever know. 0 -
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quote:Originally posted by likemhot
Nope, use the hooked tool, start at the piece above the one you want to remove. Slowly work the bottom channel out with the hooked tool all along that piece. This will expose the nails in the broken piece/pieces. Pull the nails and rehang your new siding. You noticed I rehang not nail tight. Vinyl siding expands and contracts in the heat and cold, sometimes up to over an inch. If you nail it tight it will either crack or buckle. Use a large headed roofing nail and gently nail in one of the vertical oblong nail holes. This is not a big job and is very easily accomplished. Be aware however the new siding may not match exactly due to weathering. One way to match old siding is to do the exact same process in an inconspicuous place and remove a good piece of weathered siding for a replacement. Then use the new piece for the out of the way area. No one will ever know.
You can do it without the tool, (if the siding is installed correctly (loose) you just have to start from a top edge, and work your way across the panel, when you reinstall, you should be able to slide the nailed panel side to side after you nail it, if it won't slide, you have it nailed to tight.
Don0 -
Go to Home Depot and buy a siding unlocking tool, manufactured my Malco. Maybe $10. There is no need to start from the top and one lap is not nailed to next one. It is just locked at the starter stip at the bottom. The unlock tool will also lock the new ones once installed. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by sav99
Go to Home Depot and buy a siding unlocking tool, manufactured my Malco. Maybe $10. There is no need to start from the top and one lap is not nailed to next one. It is just locked at the starter stip at the bottom. The unlock tool will also lock the new ones once installed.
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Get the tool and don't force it. Just take your time and don't get frustrated with it. It takes sometime to get the hang of it. It may not be as easy as some here have made it sound but you can to if if you have some mechanical ability.0 -
Thanks everyone for the info. I am going to invest in the tool as I have quite a few broken pieces I want to replace. If the tool makes it easier, it will be worth the ten bucks! 0 -
You should note this. Siding fades, and fades bad. If your broken siding is on the front and sides, you should take the siding off the back side of the house to replace what is broken. Then use the new or left over siding you have for the backside. This will get the color match closer to what it actually is. If you don't do this, you will notice the new siding more then the holes that were there. 0 -
Go for the tool it is worth it. Short story. I bought a 1 1/2 yr old house. I built a shop on same property. I unable to match color of siding. This was due to the company discontinuing the color. I agree with shoff14's advice. Good luck. 0 -
We used to do insurance repairs, to get siding to match we would strip a short side, re side it with new, and use what we took off for patching the other sides, you will not notice sun fade at a corner[:D][;)]
Don0
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