Whether small or large, small or wide, a small hole in your vinyl siding (from weather exposure, insect infestation, or even tree sap) can quickly become a large hole if left un-repaired. Even small holes in the vinyl siding (which don’t exceed the width of a nickel), however, are easy to mend. In most cases, all you need is some filler cement and an air compressor. Following these steps from pros will aid you to make these repairs in less than minutes:

Level the Siding. As with cracks and holes, sanding the surface isn’t recommended, since it can cause unsightly off-scale scratches which aren’t easily covered up. If your siding has cracks or holes of any kind, however, the best thing to do is get them patched before they spread.

Prepare the Replacement Section. If your siding has gaps or cuts, use a level to make sure the replacement piece will fit correctly and hold up over time. If there’s any doubt about the position of the replacement piece, cover it with masking tape to protect it from the elements.

Apply the Repairs. For a complete vinyl siding repair job, you’ll need a shop-vac to extract the damaged section, a hand saw with carbide tips for cutting the patch, a high-pressure paint sprayer (to reach the depth where the nail heads are buried), a repair adhesive, a rubber mallet, and a rubber brush. You will probably need to perform this repair in the late afternoon or early evening when the sun is no longer damaging your windows. Start the repair by leveling the affected area. Then use the repair adhesive to patch the cutout.

If there is no mold or lose siding, clean the affected area using a mild soap and water solution and a stiff brush. If there is mold, follow up with an aggressive scrubbing session to remove the mold and loosen the damaged patch. Apply the final patch using the repair adhesive and rubber mallet to seal the repair area.

Protect It. Vinyl siding repair isn’t complete until you give it a few months of protection from the elements. Purchase a good vinyl exterior paint that withstands not only the elements but also daily wear and tear. Paint the patch once and then reapply it for several years. When the damage has been repaired, you can always reapply the paint.

Caulk Up. The patch may have held up for years, but if there is any moisture trapped in the structure, you will need to apply some caulk to protect it. Caulk will make the cracks, splits and holes appear less noticeable, which makes your replacement siding look better as well. Apply the caulk to all affected areas, including the cracks, splits and holes, and let dry before installing the replacement siding.

Protecting Your Home. Replacing your siding when necessary can make the expense more worth it in the long run. Repairing vinyl siding when needed isn’t just money-saving because you won’t have to replace it, but you are also protecting your home from future damage. Many people overlook the damage that improper maintenance can cause, and that alone is a huge cost savings. In addition, repairing vinyl siding repairs can actually help prolong the life of your home.

Repairing Large Cracks and Drains. If your vinyl siding has cracks or drains that are big enough to warrant repair, this can be one of the most expensive repairs you can do yourself. Small cracks or drainage problems are relatively easy to repair on your own. However, large holes and cracks often need to be taken care of by a professional contractor.

Durability. Vinyl siding provides low maintenance over its lifetime. It doesn’t require any repainting, and you don’t have to worry about staining, fading or cracking. Low maintenance also means that you will save money over time because you will not have to buy replacement siding every year. Vinyl siding lasts an incredibly long time, making it an excellent investment over its life. Repairing your exterior siding in the future should not be difficult or expensive, and many years from now you will still have the siding that you originally had.

Cost-Effective Solutions. Because vinyl siding is made of durable material, it is very cost effective to repair a small or large hole or crack. A small repair to cover a large hole will usually only cost you several hundred dollars, but hiring a professional to repair your damaged siding will cost you much more.