Replacing Horizontal Damaged Siding – Hardi-Plank or Wood
Replacing damaged siding is not as hard as it mat seem. Unless you know for sure you need to get the exact match up on the width of the siding. They do come in different widths but lengths are most of the time the same. There are several different ways to remove the old siding. Using a pry bar, lift up on the damaged siding, do not lift too high, as to remove or damage the siding above, until the damaged siding falls off or you are able slide the pry bar under the siding you are trying to remove and it falls off.
Most of the time the siding is “blind nailed” under the siding above. The nails can be either sheared using a hammer and a pry bar, using the flat end, hit the nail really hard, The flat bar should shear the nail. There is also a special tool for getting under the siding, hooking the nail and hitting it down with a hammer, this will also shear the nail. A saw-saw with a long bi-metal blade to cut the base of the nail and remove the siding is another way.
Once the siding is removed, gently lift the siding above, check with your hand, unless you can see the old nails, you might want to wear some gloves, to feel any nails sticking out. These either need to be removed or cut flush with the wall sheathing. Would be a good idea to mark on the old siding with a pencil, where the nails are located so that the new nails are located in the same place, usually the nails are nailed into the studs. If that is not possible, use a tape measure, starting from the seam, measure every two feet, in normal framing the studs are spaced every two feet.
Cut the siding to length if need be, by using a carbide blade in a circular saw for either wood or hardi-plank. You can purchase a very inexpensive blade for $6.00 at Home Depot. If you have a lot of hardi-plank to cut, would suggest a hardi-plank blade that you can also purchase at Home Depot or Lowe’s. If you are by your self you might want to add a small block on each side of where the siding is going under the old sidjng at each end, this will alow the siding to be on the same height as the old siding. Slide the siding, under the old siding, resting on these blocks. Lift the old siding above and nail as high as possible the new siding so that the nails are under the old siding( Blind Nailed)
Would be a good idea to caulk the seams. If the siding is non-primed add a coat of exterior oil-base primer such as z prime, prime the entire piece, before caulking.
