- Screwdriver for probing
- Utility knife or oscillating tool
- Pry bar
- Replacement boards or shakes
- Primer, paint and exterior sealant
- Stainless or coated fasteners
- Safety glasses and gloves
First, identify what you have
The biggest question people ask when they find rotted siding is simply: what is this? Wood clapboard, cedar shakes, composite and fiber cement look alike from a distance and need different fixes. Wood and shakes can rot, while fiber cement and vinyl do not rot but can still be damaged by moisture behind them. Tap the surface and look at the edge: wood shows grain, shakes are individual overlapping pieces, and fiber cement is dense and even.
How to tell rot from surface weathering
Gray, weathered cedar is normal and not rot. Rot is soft: press a screwdriver into the wood, and if it sinks in easily or the wood crumbles, it is rotted. Check the lowest boards, corners and the areas under windows first, since water collects there.
How to repair rotted siding
- Probe and mark the rot. Press a screwdriver into suspect areas and mark everything that is soft. Keep probing outward until you reach solid wood.
- Cut out the rotted material. Remove the rotted boards or shakes back to sound wood, and take out nails carefully so you do not damage neighboring pieces.
- Inspect the wall behind. Check the house wrap, sheathing and framing for moisture or rot. Replace damaged sheathing and let damp areas dry.
- Stop the water source. Repair flashing, seal gaps, and clear gutters. Fix whatever sent the water in.
- Install new material. Fit matching boards or shakes, fastening with stainless or coated nails. Prime and paint all cut edges, including the backs, before they go on.
- Seal and finish. Seal joints with exterior-grade sealant and paint to match. Recheck after the next heavy rain.
Cedar shake: repair or replace?
Individual damaged shakes can be split out and replaced, and a few rotted shakes are a practical repair. Opinions differ on large areas: some experienced owners say that if cracking and rot are widespread, replacing the section is better than patching shake by shake. The deciding factors are how much is affected and whether the wall behind is sound. StormGuard Siding's page on emergency cedar shake siding repair explains how the crew members assess it.
Fix the cause or the rot returns
New wood next to the same leak will rot again. Common sources are failed caulk, missing or bent flashing, gutters that overflow, soil or mulch piled against the wall, and sprinklers that spray the siding. Fixing these is as important as the carpentry.
Rot in Annapolis, MD
Near the water, constant humidity and wind-driven rain mean wood siding stays damp longer. Shaded walls, tree-covered lots and older painted wood in Eastport and the Historic District are the usual trouble spots. See also siding in historic Annapolis and waterfront homes.
When to call a pro
Call if rot is above the first floor, if you find it in the sheathing or framing, if mold is visible, or if you are not sure what is behind it. For wood walls, StormGuard Siding's emergency wood siding repair service handles the repair and the water source.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if siding is rotted or just weathered?
Weathered wood is gray but hard. Rotted wood is soft and crumbles, and a screwdriver pushes in easily. Always probe before deciding.
Can rotted wood siding be filled instead of replaced?
Wood filler can help with small, sound-edged damage, but soft or crumbling boards should be cut out, since filler hides rot rather than stopping it.
What is the best way to stop siding from rotting again?
Keep water away: working flashing, sealed joints, clear gutters, and primed and painted edges, including the backs of boards.
Is it worth repairing old cedar shake siding?
Often yes for isolated damage. If many shakes are cracked, split or rotting, replacing that section usually gives a more lasting result.
Keep reading
- How to Repair Wood Siding: Rot, Holes and Woodpeckers
- Water Behind Siding: Signs It Is an Emergency
- Emergency cedar shake siding repair
Need hands-on help? StormGuard Siding provides emergency siding repair in Annapolis, MD, and the neighborhoods the technicians cover are listed on StormGuard Siding's service areas page. Quick answers are on StormGuard Siding's FAQs page.