How to Fix Holes in Steel Siding

tear in steel siding
  • 24-48 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 700-2,500
What You'll Need
Soap and water mixture
Rags
Sandpaper
Epoxy filler for steel siding
Putty and knife
Primer for steel siding
Paint that matches your existing paint color
Piece of replacement steel siding
Sharp knife
Adhesive caulk and application system
What You'll Need
Soap and water mixture
Rags
Sandpaper
Epoxy filler for steel siding
Putty and knife
Primer for steel siding
Paint that matches your existing paint color
Piece of replacement steel siding
Sharp knife
Adhesive caulk and application system

Steel siding is an excellent choice of protection for the exterior of your home. It is simultaneously inexpensive and highly durable, and it can be designed in a variety of styles and painted in any number of different ways as well, making it quite flexible and appropriate for a number of different designs and styles.

Steel siding does succumb to damage due to exposure, however. One of the most common problems that can develop are holes in the siding. These often come about as a result of corrosion or rust damage. As a result, if you have steel siding on your home, you'll need to monitor it every few months for signs of damage. Repair holes quickly to prevent your home from being further damaged.

Step 1 - Clean the Hole

Before you fill in the hole, you'll need to ensure that it doesn't succumb to corrosion or rust. Rub the edge of the hole down with soapy water, but be very careful not to cut yourself while doing it, as the edge of the hole may be very sharp. Sand down the edges of the hole. This will help to make the hole more adhesive for use in replacing the missing steel siding.

Step 2 - For a Small Hole, Use Epoxy Filler

If the hole is only up to a couple of inches across, you can fill it with epoxy and be done. If this is the case, carefully follow the instructions on the epoxy, as different types of epoxy vary significantly in their mixing requirements. Apply the epoxy quickly before it begins to set up and spread it evenly over the hole with a putty knife. After it sets and dries (approximately 24 hours later) you can return and paint over the epoxy to match up the appearance of the cover with the rest of the steel siding.

Step 3 - For a Large Hole, Replace with Steel Siding

For a large hole, simply remove the portion of the steel siding that contains the hole with your sharp knife. Try to remove as little of the siding as possible. Continue by sanding down the corners of the area that you cut down in the same manner as Step 1.

Step 4 - Cut out a Piece of Replacement Siding

Using your knife, cut out a piece of replacement siding from the fresh siding piece that you have. It should be approximately one inch longer in both dimensions than the piece that you just removed. Use adhesive caulk to attach the new piece to the existing siding by spreading caulk over the edge of the hole and squeezing down the new replacement piece over it. You can then prime and paint the replacement siding.