Targeted repairs
Siding repair in Seattle that fixes the cause, not just the board
Rot, cracks, loose panels and leaks around trim — we find where the water is coming from, repair the wall behind it and match the siding you already have.
Common repairs
The siding problems we fix most often
Most homes do not need new siding everywhere — they need a few problem areas repaired properly. Good siding repair in Seattle starts with finding out why a board failed. In our wet climate, damage is almost always a water problem first, so we look at flashing, caulk, gutters and clearances before we cut anything out.
Typical siding repair jobs
- Rot at trim and corners. Corner boards, window trim and the bottom course of siding collect water. We remove soft wood, check the sheathing behind it and replace it with primed or pre-finished material.
- Dry-rot boards. Individual lap boards that crumble or feel spongy, often on the north side of the house where walls stay damp and shaded.
- Cracked fiber cement. Usually from impact, settling or fasteners driven too close to the edge. Cracked planks are cut out and replaced so water cannot wick in.
- Warped or loose vinyl. Panels that have come unlocked in wind or distorted from heat or reflected sunlight are reset or replaced.
- Woodpecker damage. Common on cedar and engineered wood. We patch or replace holes and look for signs of insects in the wall that may be attracting the birds.
- Failed caulk and flashing. Missing kick-out flashing where a roof meets a wall, open joints around windows and cracked sealant are small details that cause big leaks.
- Moss and moisture. Shaded walls, sprinklers and soil or bark piled against the siding keep boards wet. We repair the damage and point out what to change so it does not return.
Matching discontinued siding profiles
Older Seattle homes often have profiles, exposures or textures that are no longer made. We compare board width, reveal, thickness and texture against current products and can often find a close match. When nothing matches, one practical option is to move original boards from a less visible wall to the front and use new material where it shows least. For painted siding, a fresh coat on the whole wall helps new and old boards read as one surface.
How we price siding repairs
Repairs are priced per job after an inspection, because the visible damage is only part of the story. Once a board comes off, the sheathing behind it is either sound or it is not. Small repairs are often a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on scope — the number of areas, access, paint, and how much of the wall behind needs attention. Your written estimate lists each repair area separately so you can prioritize.
Behind the siding
Where siding damage usually starts
Most “siding problems” are water problems. A good repair finds which layer let water in — usually flashing or trim at an opening — and fixes that too.
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FramingStuds and plates carry the wall. Rot at sill plates and window corners is repaired before anything goes back on.
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SheathingPlywood or OSB panels. Soft or delaminated sections are cut out and replaced after tear-off.
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Weather-resistive barrierHouse wrap or building paper lapped shingle-style so water that gets past the siding drains down and out.
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Rain-screen gapThin furring strips or a drainage mat leave an air space so wet walls can dry — valuable on shaded, rainy Puget Sound walls.
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SidingVinyl, fiber cement, LP SmartSide or cedar, fastened and gapped to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Trim & flashingCorner boards, window and door trim, and metal flashing that sheds water at every opening and roof line.
Decision guide
Repair or replace: how to decide
We would rather tell you a repair is enough than sell a replacement you do not need. These are the questions we work through with homeowners.
A repair is usually the right call when
- The damage is limited to one or two areas with an obvious cause, such as a missing kick-out flashing or a leaking gutter.
- The rest of the siding is sound, holds paint and still has years of life left.
- Matching material is available, or the repair is on a wall where a small difference will not matter.
Replacement starts to make sense when
- Rot or swelling shows up on several elevations, suggesting water is getting behind the siding broadly.
- Repair costs are adding up year after year on the same house.
- The siding is an older product prone to moisture damage, or the profile cannot be matched.
- You are planning to repaint anyway and the siding underneath is tired.
If you are leaning toward a full update, read what is involved in a complete siding replacement and check a planning range with the siding cost estimator. Comparing products? Our fiber cement siding and LP SmartSide siding guides cover the two most popular choices for wet walls.
Warning signs
Damage worth a closer look
These are the patterns we look for on an inspection. Most start with water.
Repair questions
Siding repair, answered
What to expect when a few boards or a corner need attention.
Can you repair just one or two boards?
Yes. Small repairs are a normal part of our work. We cut out the damaged boards, check the sheathing and house wrap behind them, fix the water source if we can find it and install matching material with proper laps and fasteners.
Will the repaired area match the rest of my siding?
We aim for the closest match available in profile, reveal and texture. Paint color is matched when we finish the repair, and painting the full wall or elevation gives the most even result, especially on older siding that has faded.
Is woodpecker damage a sign of a bigger problem?
Sometimes. Woodpeckers are often after insects living in or behind the siding, or they are drawn to hollow-sounding boards. We repair the holes and look for insect activity or moisture that may be the underlying attraction.
Why does rot keep coming back in the same spot?
Usually because the water source was never fixed. Common culprits are a missing kick-out flashing at a roof edge, trim with no drip cap, gutters that overflow or siding that sits too close to a deck or soil. We address the cause along with the damaged wood.
Free, no-pressure estimate
Not sure if it is a repair or a replacement?
Tell us what you are seeing. A local siding specialist will take a look and give you a written, itemized estimate — no pressure either way.