Noah Sinclair
Cutting nails behind siding can be a tricky task that requires patience and precision. The challenge is to remove the nails without damaging the siding or the surrounding structure. Various tools and techniques can be employed to achieve this, including using a cat's paw, a pry bar, a hacksaw, or specialised tools like the Malco SNC Siding Nail Cutter. The choice of method depends on factors such as the type of siding, the accessibility of the nails, and the level of precision required.
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What You'll Learn
Using a cat's paw to pull out the nails
A cat's paw is a metal hand tool used for pulling out nails, especially during demolition work. It is invaluable for removing nails from wood, synthetic wood, and concrete. The tool has a sharp, pointed, V-shaped tip on one or both ends. The V-slot is placed around the nail's shank, and then the bar is rocked back to raise the head. Finally, the nail is pulled out with a hammer's claw.
The cat's paw is well-suited for demolition work, but it is not recommended for finish work as it tends to tear up the surface around the nail head. The cat's paw is a standard tool in carpentry and is a smaller, more ergonomic version of a crowbar.
To use a cat's paw to pull out nails from siding, first unhook the piece of siding above the nail by inserting a removal tool where the pieces overlap. Gently pull the siding from the piece below it. When the pieces separate, slide the tool along the hooked edge while lifting the loose end away from the building. Once the piece is free, use the cat's paw to pull out the nails. After removing all the nails, push the siding piece straight down to free it from the course below.
Newer designs of nail pullers, such as the Nail Jack and Nail Hunter, have been introduced, which take a pliers-like approach to the traditional cat's paw design. These tools can be struck with a hammer to drive the tips into the wood with minimal damage and can effectively dig out nails that are at or below the surface.
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Removing nails with a hacksaw
Prepare the Work Area:
Before you begin, ensure you have gathered the necessary tools and safety equipment. Put on safety gloves and protective eyewear to safeguard your hands and eyes from potential hazards.
Expose the Nail:
Locate the nail head and use a screwdriver, chisel, or cat's paw to dig underneath it if it is not already exposed. This step may not be necessary if the nail head is already accessible.
Position the Hacksaw:
Place the hacksaw blade behind the siding, as close to the nail as possible. Ensure that the blade is securely held in place and that you have a clear path for cutting.
Cut the Nail:
Start cutting the nail with the hacksaw, applying gentle pressure to avoid damaging the surrounding material. Maintain control of the saw and cut through the nail. If the nail is thick, you may need to use a metal-cutting blade with your hacksaw for a cleaner cut.
Remove the Nail:
Once the nail is cut, use a pair of pliers or a nail puller to grip the remaining nail stub and gently twist and pull it out. If the nail breaks during the cutting process, you can use the hacksaw to cut it further down until you can extract the remaining portion.
Work Slowly and Carefully:
Always work slowly and carefully when using a hacksaw to cut nails behind siding. This will help minimize the risk of damaging the siding or injuring yourself. Take your time and make precise cuts to ensure a successful outcome.
Remember to adapt these steps as needed to suit your specific project and work environment. Cutting nails behind siding with a hacksaw can be a delicate task, so focus on safety, precision, and minimizing potential damage to the surrounding materials.
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Using a nail cutter
Step 1: Loosen the Nails
Before using the nail cutter, it is advisable to first loosen the nails that need to be cut. This can be done using a crowbar. Insert the crowbar between the siding and gently pry it outward to loosen the nails. This step is especially useful when dealing with damaged siding or when removing nails from overlapping planks.
Step 2: Position the Nail Cutter
The Malco SNC Siding Nail Cutter is designed with a flat head and a bevelled leading edge, allowing it to easily manoeuvre under the siding and reach hidden nails. Position the nail cutter under the siding, sliding it next to the nail you want to cut. Ensure that the bevelled edge is properly aligned with the nail for a precise cut.
Step 3: Cut the Nails
Once the nail cutter is in position, apply pressure to the handles to engage the precision-ground, heat-treated jaws. Squeeze the handles firmly to cut through the nail. The compound handle leverage of the nail cutter provides the necessary force to cut through common nails, including thicker ones.
Step 4: Repeat as Needed
After successfully cutting the first nail, continue to the next nail that needs to be cut. Re-position the nail cutter under the siding and repeat the cutting process. Work slowly and carefully to ensure accuracy and avoid any damage to the surrounding siding. This method is ideal for remodeling or salvaging projects where you want to remove damaged or unwanted siding planks without affecting the overlapping plank.
Step 5: Alternative Methods
If you do not have access to a nail cutter, there are alternative tools and methods you can use. A pry bar can be used to gently pry the siding outward, causing the nail heads to pop. A cat's paw can also be used to pull out the nails from above, although this method may damage the siding. For more challenging nails, a hacksaw can be employed to saw through the nail shanks. This process may require bending the shanks downward to make them more accessible for removal.
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Using a punch and nail pulling pliers
When removing nails from siding, it is important to work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the siding. A punch and nail pulling pliers can be used together to remove nails without causing damage.
First, insert a pry bar between the piece of siding from which you want to remove the nails and the one above it. Position the pry bar beside a nail and gently pry the upper board outward until the nail pops. This should cause some of the other nails on the board to pop as well. Repeat this process next to any nails that remain.
Once the nail heads are accessible, use a punch to push them out from the backside. Finish removing the nails with a pair of nail pulling pliers. Grip the nail shank with the pliers and bend it downward to make it more accessible. Then, use the pliers to pull the nail out.
If you are working with vinyl siding, you will need a specialised siding removal tool to Unhook a vinyl siding panel from the course below. This tool has a small hook that grabs the bottom of the siding course and pulls it free from the course below.
There are a variety of tools available that can be used to cut and remove nails from siding, including the Malco SNC Siding Nail Cutter, which can cut hidden nails left over from the removal of unwanted siding planks without damaging the overlapping plank. End cutting pliers can also be used to pull nails from wood by holding the nail and levering it out.
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Using a pry bar to pop the nails
When removing siding, it is important to exercise patience and work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the siding or the wall. If you are looking to preserve the siding, using a pry bar is a good option for popping the nails.
First, you will need to insert the pry bar between the piece of siding from which you want to remove the nails and the piece above it. Position the pry bar beside a nail, and gently pry the upper board outward until the nail pops out. This action should also pop some of the other nails on the board. Repeat this process next to nails further down the board if necessary.
If some nails refuse to pop, you can use a hacksaw to saw through the nail shanks. Place the blade of the hacksaw between the two siding boards next to the stubborn nail and saw through. Ensure you keep the blade against the upper siding board so that you leave as much of each nail shank behind as possible.
Once you have pried or sawed the nails, you can reach under the board with a pair of needle-nose pliers and grip a shank. Bend it downward to make it more accessible, then use nippers or locking pliers to pull it out.
If you are not concerned about preserving the siding, a quicker method is to use a cat's paw to pull out the nails from above. However, this method will damage the siding.
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Frequently asked questions
A good tool to use is the Malco SNC Siding Nail Cutter, which can cut hidden nails without damaging the overlapping plank.
A cheaper alternative to the Malco SNC Siding Nail Cutter is the Dasco shingle ripper, which can be used to break nails out from under the siding.
If the condition of the siding is not a concern, a cat's paw can be used to quickly pull out nails from above.
If the nails are visible, a nail puller can be used to safely remove the nails.
A hacksaw can be used to saw through the nail shanks with precision.
