Aluminum Siding Repair – What You Should Know

Aluminum Siding Repair – What You Should Know

Aluminum siding was the first new type of siding to answer the problem of the high maintenance of wood siding. Unfortunately, aluminum has its own sets of problems, whether it’s the old fashioned painted variety, or the newer vinyl-coated planks. From scratches to dents, aluminum can become unsightly pretty quickly. Learn about aluminum siding repair to make better choices in how to care for your aluminum.

Common Aluminum Siding Repairs and Issues

The biggest problems that most people find with their aluminum siding is that it fades, it scratches, and it dents. The fading is one of the easiest issues to fix; latex paint can be applied right to the aluminum planks the same way that it can be to wood siding. Using vinyl paint can be even more effective, as it does not fade or peel the way traditional paints do, which can help your aluminum siding last even longer. (Read more about How To Paint Aluminum Siding here). 

The other issues require a little more specialized help to fix them.

Small Holes and Scratches

If you have small holes in your aluminum siding or if a board has gotten fairly scratched up, these can be repaired with a little exterior grade caulk. As long as the color matches the siding, it can be smoothed into place to make the repair.

Dents

Dents are one of the biggest issues with aluminum siding. What you do with them depends largely on how big the dents are, and how many boards are affected. Like vinyl siding, aluminum siding screws in, and locks onto the boards above and below them. So individual planks can be removed and replaced if they are severely damaged or dented. Because the planks often have to be cut to fit, as well as sealed tightly to the surrounding planks, this is best left to professional siding contractors.

If you have a few minor dents, however, it is possible to repair the planks without replacing them. This type of aluminum siding repair can be undertaken by the homeowner, as long as you work very slowly and carefully, and you don’t mind a little effort.

To repair these dents, you actually have to create a little more initial damage by drilling a hole right into the middle of each dent. This should be a very small hole just large enough for you to work a screw into. Once the screw is in place, brace yourself, take hold of the end and pull until you manage to get the aluminum back out.

Now you just have to fill the hole with caulk, sand it down, and if you couldn’t find a caulk that matched the color of the original plank, paint the board to disguise the repair. This is most effective when the dents are fairly small – the size of your fist or smaller. Larger dents should ideally be repaired by having the planks replaced.

Take Care of Your Aluminum Siding Repair

Aluminum siding repairs should be undertaken as soon as they are noticed to help maintain the curb appeal of your home. None of the repairs that aluminum siding typically need are extremely expensive or invasive, so make sure you take care of yours in a timely way to keep your home looking great.