How To Replace Vinyl Siding Corners

Vinyl siding

Replacing vinyl siding corners requires the loosening of the siding nearest the corner before you can remove and attach the new corner to the home.

1. Slide the vinyl siding removal tool just under the bottom lip of the uppermost piece of vinyl siding and pry gently upwards. Vinyl siding is installed from the bottom up so you must loosen it in the opposite direction. Once the snap-seal releases, use gloved fingers to loosen the siding to a distance of 3 feet from the corner.

2. Repeat this step on each piece of siding, moving downwards as you go. After you loosen one entire side--start on the adjacent side. Work slowly and use the vinyl siding removal tool on each piece. The nail strip portion of the siding will remain attached to the boxing beneath during this process so don't attempt to pull the end of the siding out from under the corner flange.

3. Use the nail bar to remove the nails holding the siding in place, working from the top down once again. It is fairly easy to remove these nails since vinyl siding, when installed correctly, leaves a 1/8-inch gap between the nail head and the boxing. When you finish removing the nails in the 3 foot section closest to the corner, the strips will move freely.

4. Remove the corner from the boxing, using a nail bar and a hammer (if necessary) to pull out the nails holding the corner in place. Make sure to remove all bits of broken vinyl from the boxing.

5. Position the new corner by carefully holding back the adjacent siding strips and nail it into place. It helps to have an assistant hold the corner while you place a nail in the top of one side and then use a level to make sure the corner is even before securing it with more nails. Drive a nail about every 18-inches in the nail holes provided.



6. Tuck the bottom piece of siding into the siding flange on the new corner and nail it into place while holding the above siding strip out of the way. An assistant is handy at this stage to keep the siding from getting in your way. Position each nail so the head is 1/8-inch from the boxing. This allows expansion and contraction of the siding during temperature changes.

7. Snap the lip of the next piece of siding over the siding ridge of the one you just attached. This is easily accomplished by applying pressure with a gloved hand on the section where the siding is still attached and sliding your hand towards the corner while pressing slightly upwards. The siding strips will snap together nicely.

8. Continue working your way up the siding, one piece at a time, making sure that the piece you are working on is tucked into the receptacle groove on the new corner before nailing into place. Finish the adjacent side in the same manner.

Tip

Patience is the key when replacing a vinyl siding corner. Take your time and loosen each piece of siding carefully to keep from breaking the siding.

Warning

Avoid nailing the siding tightly to the boxing. Vinyl siding "hangs" on the home and buckling will result if it is nailed snugly to the wall.