How to Repair Water-Damaged Siding Before a Larger Project Arises

Your first course of action is to identify the location of the leak. On the outside of siding, you may notice signs of mildew, which could be either green, brown, or gray. Rotted wood siding will appear wet, dark, or even black. This is especially cause for concern if it hasn't rained or you aren't able to easily identify why the siding appears wet.

You will likely notice a hole with any of these types of damage. Once located, you'll need to pull away any water-damaged siding to find the source. Inspect adjacent areas as well, as the leak could be causing more damage than you realize. Here’s how to remove vinyl siding if you’re new to this step.

Once you've located the holes or small cracks in your siding, you're ready to plug the source. Using a caulking gun, fill the hole or cracks with sealant. While wearing disposable gloves, smooth the caulk line using your finger to ensure a clean seal. If any holes or cracks appear on the siding close to the water damage, you'll want to seal those off as well. 

If there is mold or mildew present, you need to remove mold from siding before caulking. Use an all-purpose vinyl cleaner and some elbow grease to scrub it away. Pat it dry with a towel before caulking.

Depending on the type of siding, repairing it will vary from the process to the siding repair cost. In most cases, you can paint over the caulked area, but you will need to let the caulk sit for at least 24 hours before doing so. You can also reaffix a new piece of siding in that area, but depending on what you're able to find, you may not locate a color that matches exactly.

To prevent further water damage, reduce the amount of water that could penetrate your siding. Ensure your gutters and downspouts are free of clogs and repair them as needed. If flashing around doors and windows is damaged, replace it. 

After heavy rainfalls, check the exterior of your home to see if any pooling or excess water is present near the siding to assess the damage. At least twice a year, do an inspection of your home's exterior to keep up with siding maintenance.

If you're looking to install new siding, take special care of replacing new siding over the old siding and consider opting for low-maintenance siding to reduce your future repairs. For instance, cleaning vinyl siding is a manageable project for most homeowners, and even aluminum siding repair is within some DIYers’ wheelhouse.