In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to repair shingle siding.
Steps for repairing shingle siding
- Make a story pole from a straight 1×3; mark locations of shingle courses on pole.
- Use pitchfork to remove all damaged shingles from house.
- Peel off any paper or housewrap; inspect the condition of sheathing.
- Securely nail any loose sheathing to the wall studs with 3-inch galvanized nails.
- Replace damaged shingles in original starter course with new shingles.
- Staple rosin paper over sheathing.
- Use the story pole to mark the location of the first shingle course.
- Start nailing on shingles at the corner, leaving 1/8 inch space in between shingles.
- Plane the corner shingle flush with house wall.
- Install the opposite corner shingle and plane it flush with first corner shingle.
- Using the story pole, mark the location of the second shingle course.
- Snap a chalkline from story-pole mark to existing shingles of second course.
- Install second-course shingles starting at the corner, overlap corner shingles to create a braided or woven corner.
- Continue nailing shingles up the wall, using the story pole and chalk lines to align the new courses with the old ones.
- To prevent corner shingles from curling, secure them with 2-inch stainless steel nails.
