Cracked vinyl siding is fixed one of two ways: a small crack or hole in an otherwise flat, sound panel can be filled or patched, and a split, warped or brittle panel is replaced. National cost guides put filling cracks and holes at about $2 to $4 per square foot and replacing a damaged section at $150 to $300 per 10-foot by 10-foot section. Here's how we tell the two apart.
The Short Answer
Look at the panel, not just the crack. If the panel lies flat, locks tight and the crack is small, a patch can hold. If the crack runs along the panel, the panel is warped, or there is more than one crack, the panel has failed and a patch fails with it. Replacing the panel costs more than a patch and is the repair that lasts.
Why Vinyl Siding Cracks
Vinyl cracks from impact, from hail, and from stress. The Polymeric Exterior Products Association says vinyl siding moves with temperature, up to 1/2 inch or more over a 12-foot-6-inch length, and that panels should move freely side to side. A panel fastened tight cannot move, so heat pushes it, cold pulls it and the panel buckles or splits. Fort Worth gives vinyl plenty to work with. The Dallas/Fort Worth weather station records an average July high of 95.6°F and about 29 days a year at or below 32°F. Vinyl siding and Texas heat goes through it.
When a Patch Works
A patch fits when the damage is small and the panel is otherwise sound:
- A single small crack or a small hole
- A panel that is flat and locked in
- Damage away from the lock edge and the nailing hem
Fixr's national guide puts a handyman patching two or three small cracks or holes near $50. We patch only the damage that will hold and tell you which ones will not.
When the Panel Needs Replacing
Replace the panel when:
- The crack runs along the panel or across it
- There is more than one crack
- The panel is warped, buckled or loose
- The panel is brittle or badly faded
- The damage is at the lock edge or the nailing hem
First, we unlock the panel above with a zip tool. Second, we remove the damaged panel. Third, we check the wall behind it. Fourth, we fit and fasten the new panel so it can move, with fasteners in the center of the slot and about 1/32 inch of clearance under the head. Finally, we lock the upper panel back over the new one. Vinyl siding repair covers the full method.
What It Costs
National cost guides put filling cracks and holes at about $2 to $4 per square foot, and Fixr puts replacing damaged siding at $150 to $300 per 10-foot by 10-foot section, with a $50 to $100 minimum on small jobs. Those are national averages, not Fort Worth quotes. What siding repair costs in Fort Worth shows each range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fix a crack in vinyl siding myself?
A small crack or hole in a panel that is flat and sound can be filled. Replacing a panel means unlocking the course above with a zip tool and fastening the new panel with room to move, and mistakes there cause buckling later. If you are unsure whether a panel is sound, we inspect it for free.
How do you fix a hole in vinyl siding?
A small hole in a flat, sound panel is filled or patched. A larger hole, or a hole in a warped or brittle panel, means the panel is replaced. We check the wall behind the hole for moisture before we close it up.
Does cracked vinyl siding need to be replaced?
The panel decides, not the crack. A single small crack in a sound panel can be patched. A panel that is split, warped, loose, brittle or cracked in several places is replaced, because a patch on that panel fails again.
How much does it cost to fix cracked vinyl siding?
National cost guides put filling cracks and holes at about $2 to $4 per square foot, a handyman patch near $50, and replacing damaged siding at $150 to $300 per 10-foot by 10-foot section. Those are national averages, not Fort Worth quotes. An inspection gives the real number.
Do I need a permit to replace cracked siding in Fort Worth?
Under the City of Fort Worth's Development Services guidance, replacing missing or decayed siding needs a building permit, while minor repairs aren't addressed. We confirm what applies to your address before work starts.
