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Wheaton Siding Repair
Call us: 630-452-1028
Fascia Soffit Repair
(SIDING REPAIR - GUTTER -REPAIR - GUTTER CLEANING - ROOF REPAIR - SOFFIT REPAIR - DOWNSPOUT RE[AIR - ROOF VENT REPAIR.)
Wheaton Siding Repair is family-owned and operated right here in Wheaton, IL. Since our company opened its doors in 2000, we’ve treated every customer like they were a part of our family. Other companies may offer similar services, but our services are the best, and come with a personal touch.
How to Use an Aluminum Siding Brake
What You'll Need
Aluminum siding is a very soft material and this makes it quite easy to work with, however it must be bent into the right shape. There are many different ways that you can accurately bend the aluminum siding into the right angles. Bending it accurately will make it fit on your house much better.
An aluminum siding brake is used to bend the metal precisely so that no mistakes are ever made. This will mean that you never have to worry about wasting expensive material.
Step 1 - Choosing Your Brake
There are three different types of brake that you can use to bend your aluminum siding into the right shape and angle. A bench brake, hand or pan brake. Bench brakes are too large for most people to have in their homes, these are industrial machines used to bend large pieces of sheet metal. A hand brake is suitable for bending aluminum siding, this is the most simple type of brake because it will only be able to bend the metal in one direction. After all this is exactly what you want.
Step 2 - Making a Template
It will be much easier to bend the aluminum siding accurately if you first take the time to make a template out of cardboard. This will also minimize the risk of making a mistake and wasting the expensive aluminum siding. It will also mean that you don't risk wasting any time. Offer the cardboard up against the walls of the house and mark on where you need to bend it and which direction.
Step 3 - Transferring
Now copy the details on your template and transfer it onto the aluminum siding. Use a pen to mark on where you need to bend the metal and which direction. This will ensure that you never bend the siding in the wrong direction. When bending the metal the metal will bend up towards the brake.
Step 4 - Bending
Put the aluminum siding section into the hand brake. Spend time accurately setting up the brake so that the metal will be bent in the right place. There will often be a mark of some form on the brake itself to identify where you need to position it.
It's actually a good idea to practice this with an off cut of your siding before you do it for real. This will ensure that you are as accurate as possible.
Step 5 - Locking the Brake
The position of the brake now needs to be locked, this will place force on the metal which will stop it from moving. Then you can use the lever to bend the metal and force it into the right shape.
Step 6 - Adjustments
Aluminum is quite soft and you will be able to slightly adjust the aluminum by hand if required. However this isn't actually essential unless required. Careful adjustments will ensure that the metal fits snugly against your building.
Fascia Soffit Repair Wheaton IL
Downspout Repair Wheaton IL
Masonite siding has been used for ages and stands as a popular choice among builders and homeowners both. It is, primarily, a type of fiberboard made from wood, wax, and resins manufactured by the Masonite Corporation. Its stability, high strength and a wide variety of colors and textures give it an edge over many of its alternatives. However, Masonite Siding is vulnerable to rot, cracks, insects, fire, fungus, and insecticides, due to which it softens over time, making caulking, some repair and repainting almost necessary.
Repairing Masonite Siding is a moderately easy project that you can handle all by yourself and using the tools/equipment per the steps mentioned below, you can go about the repair with little difficulty.
Step 1: Locate and Cut the Damage
In order to go about your repair project effectively, mark out the area that has been damaged. Use a pencil to clearly identify the area. Once the identification has been done, use a utility knife to cut through the damaged siding as accurately as possible.
Step 2: Remove the Damaged Area
Loosen the nails found at the top of the damaged siding using a pry bar and hammer and remove them completely. Once the nails are out, place the pry bar beneath the damaged section carefully and cut the nails at the back of the siding with a reciprocating saw. Then, you may remove the damaged area of the siding and note its dimensions using a measuring tape.
Step 3: Prepare the Replacement
After you have the dimensions for the replacement, use a utility knife to cut a fresh piece of masonite siding as per your specifications. Apply a drop or two of exterior caulk on the back of the replacement.
Step 4: Place the Replacement
Now that your replacement is ready, position it in place of the damaged siding (such that the siding above the previously damaged area overlaps the patchwork). This would allow you to maintain the aesthetic appeal of your siding and hide the damage/repair it underwent. Lastly, use a hammer to drive two galvanized nails at the bottom of the siding which is covering the patch. This would allow the patch to settle and further secure the siding. However, see to it that the patch matches the color and texture of the rest of the siding or else a paint job would be recommended.
Step 5: Take Proper Care
In order to assure a long and healthy life of your Masonite siding, several options can be used. For example, applying oil paint on both sides of the hardboard prevents rotting and possible corrosion. Moreover, avoid hammering too many nails in the hardboard as they not only hurt the appearance of the siding but also weaken the structure by giving way to moisture and leaks. An effective solution is to have a supplementary coating of fiber cement lining.
