The siding should be nailed into the studs.
I wouldn't worry about the holes, but I would remove some sections of the foam to inspect the condition of the sheathing.
Ron

 

Alright, the only thing that I'm concerned about is the rain water that gets behind the siding.. Some threads I read say that it needs to be sealed perfectly for the rainwater to travel down it.

And secondly, if the siding needs to be nailed to the stud, how am I supposed to find a stud when there's the pink insulation over the OSB, which is then over the stud...?

 

Stud Finder

Use a stud finder with a deep scan feature and you shouldn't have any problem finding the studs.:thumbsup:

 

^ Ok, sounds simple enough for me.

Another question, can I re-use my original starter strip after removing the present siding by just leaving it in place?

 

^ Ok, sounds simple enough for me.

Another question, can I re-use my original starter strip after removing the present siding by just leaving it in place?

As long as it's not damaged.
Theoretically this siding was nailed into the studs. Use a marker to take note of the current nail locations and verify they're is studs.
Ron

 

Ok, now on to some trimming out questions. This past summer I had replacement windows installed. After looking at the trim around the windows yesterday, and what I've found on this website and online, I should have J channel all the way around the window. This picture shows the right side J channel around the window, with the (?) weeper holes (?)

And this shows the bottom of the window. The builders of the house installed utility trim there.. So, should I use J channel when I put on new siding? Will J channel even work with that window?

This is the top of the window. They just installed a drip cap here. I am lost as to what to do here. I think put J channel, and just cut the siding super thin to install it up there? Do I need to put drip cap back on there? How do I go about fixing this part.

Here is my patio door (not yet replaced) This is how they did the top of the patio door.

I'm assuming just take the utility trim out of there, and actually cut the siding to that size and install it above there right?

And do I need to replace these? If so, what are they even called? (Vinyl over foundation)

Thanks again for the great help guys.

 

Also, does drip cap get caulked anywhere? And from the pictures, it looks like it's just shoved up under the J channel for the soffit.. is that correct?