How To Repair A Hole In Aluminum Siding

Acquire how to repair aluminum siding and patch holes both large and small! This footstep by step tutorial volition show you how to set up holes in aluminum siding easily!

After moving the electric meter to a new location, we were left with a big pigsty in our aluminum siding. A temporary patch was put in place and the whole affair was forgotten about for years. Today, I'm showing yous how to repair aluminum siding and fix holes both big and pocket-sized!

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This eyesore on the back of the business firm has been bothering me for ages, but it e'er got pushed downwardly the to-practise listing. Now that I'm giving the lawn a makeover, it'southward fourth dimension to fix it up!

Materials Needed to Repair Aluminum Siding

Electrical metallic shears
Metal snips
Fleck aluminum siding
- We saved the siding that was removed when we turned a window into a sliding glass door for our new deck. If you don't have extra and can't find an exact match, try taking a piece from the back of a shed or garage, then replace information technology with something visually like in the camouflaged location.
Waterproof repair record
- This stuff is amazing! Information technology forms a watertight bail that can be used to seal up gaps and holes in aluminum siding.
Gutter sealant
- Used to seal up seams and gaps in cut edges of aluminum siding.
Aluminum repair epoxy
- Perfect for filling smaller holes from screws, nails or bolts.
Latex gloves for working with sealant and epoxy.
Cut resistant work gloves for handling sharp edges of aluminum.

Don't forget your safety gear! Here are my recommendations for condom glasses and ear protection. No excuses!

How to Repair Aluminum Siding

Cutting away the damaged area

Showtime, I ripped down everything covering the hole and removed the weird frame with a crowbar.

Information technology looks pretty scary, but I'm relieved there weren't any creepy-crawly things or water impairment inside. I used an oscillating multi-tool similar this i to cut the framing back to be level with the surrounding walls, and then attached a ¼" plywood backing with brad nails.

plywood backing in hole in aluminum siding

Apply waterproof repair record to edges

waterproof tape to be applied to aluminum siding repair

I wanted to encompass up those gaps for actress insurance confronting moisture or insects. This stuff bonds to aluminum and other surfaces for a water tight seal, while still allowing for expansion and contraction as the temperature changes.

I applied the record around the unabridged hole, overlapping information technology with the intact siding an inch or two. This had the added do good of holding down the edges of the existing siding that had curled up slightly over fourth dimension.

patching hole in aluminum siding with waterproof tape

Cut off the flange from the bottom strip of siding

Try as I might, I just couldn't get the interlocking flanges at the bottom of the existing siding to come apart. I fifty-fifty got 1 of these siding removal tools to pop them loose, merely it wouldn't budge!

So instead, I cut off the bottom flange from the first strip of siding. Electrical metal shears make this procedure soooo much easier than manus shears!

bottom flange of aluminum siding piece cut off with metal shears

I traced the shape of the conduit onto the back and cutting it out with the same shears. I also cut away the nailing strip on the top where it will overlap with the existing siding.

cutting aluminum siding with electric metal shears

Information technology took a few trips dorsum and forth to the shop to get the fit right, only it finally slid into place!

aluminum siding patch around electrical conduit

Apply Gutter Sealant to Back Edges

The erstwhile siding wasn't in the best shape after getting ripped off the wall, so there are a few dents along the edges. I used gutter sealant like a gum to hold the edges of the patch to the existing siding.

Put on latex gloves first, because you don't desire this stuff on your skin! Run a dewdrop of sealant along all the cutting edges except the nailing strip at the tiptop.

gutter sealant applied to back of aluminum siding

Then press the siding piece in place. In one case information technology holds in place on its own, drive nails through the nailing strip and into the backing. The siding should hang on the nails slightly and then that it tin can expand and contract with the weather (metal expands in the estrus!)

attaching first row of aluminum siding for repair

Work your way upwardly the wall

The next few pieces only needed notches cut out on the ends so it could slide under the existing siding. I was getting into a groove at this point and forgot to accept photos of the notches. Oops!

Once you get to the tiptop, cut off the nailing strip the same style y'all cutting off the bottom flange. Endeavor to make this cut as shut to the border of the strip as possible and then information technology lines up with the underside of the existing siding.

Seal all edges with gutter sealant or silicone

To forestall insects from working their fashion under the siding, I sealed all the edges with more gutter sealant. It might have been overkill, but I'd rather have to deal with touching upwards paint than a hive of bees in the walls!

gutter sealant applied to seam in aluminum siding repair

Make sure your sealant says it allows for seasonal movement, or you'll get buckling in the summertime when the metal expands!

Fill smaller holes with aluminum repair epoxy

While I was at it, I decided to remove the erstwhile hose holder from the wall in this area. I'll be moving my potting bench to that spot, which already has a hose reel on the side.

hose holder to be removed from aluminum siding

Subsequently unscrewing it from the siding, I was left with a few smaller holes in the aluminum siding to patch up.

screw holes in aluminum siding to be repaired

Don your latex gloves again, then pull off a small-scale chunk of aluminum repair epoxy from the tube. Mix the two components together thoroughly, then push the putty into the hole with your fingertip.

pressing epoxy into aluminum siding holes

Peel off whatever excess so the patch is flush with the front of the aluminum siding. Work fast, considering this stuff sets up quick!

Touch up pigment

One time the sealant and epoxy cures (check the label for cure times), you lot can touch upwards the pigment in the repaired areas. If you lot don't have any firm paint, bring a small piece of the replacement siding to the paint store to exist color matched.

I cleaned the aluminum siding in this area kickoff, and so painted the repaired section and the grey conduit so information technology all blends into the original siding. While it'south certainly non perfect, it'due south improve than the before!

before and after of aluminum siding repair

The repaired area is still obvious because all the seams line up. I'll be hiding this wall behind a vertical planter, so it won't be seen. If your area to be repaired is in a high visibility spot, I suggest staggering the seam lines or lining them up with a window or door.

A professional siding installer has the tools to cutting aluminum siding without that crash-land on the ends, but I'm no professional! 😉 I'grand just relieved to finally have this aluminum siding repair complete! Now I can rest easy knowing that our habitation is watertight and not being invaded past insects!

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