Rotted Hardboard Siding

To remove and replace damaged siding.

Rotted hardboard siding.

When hardboard siding is installed and maintained correctly it can hold up for 30 or 40 years. The biggest cause of dry rot in hardboard siding is inadequate water diversion flashing around gutter to siding transitions and installation of trim over the siding which does not allow for proper z bar flashing over the head trim around windows. Water from rain or sprinklers can damage hardboard and wood siding over time causing it to rot or deteriorate. Replace rotten sheathing if needed replace the sheathing behind the siding using 1 2 plywood covered with builder s.

One of the disadvantages of hardboard siding is that exposure to water can cause it to deteriorate over time. This is most common on the bottom few courses near the foundation. Cut fiber cement. This usually occurs on the bottom rows of siding near the ground or on siding that adjoins a roof or chimney.

Repairing substantial damage to hardboard siding is necessary to prevent further damage to your home s shell and possible contamination to your home s indoor air quality. If you have this problem you might want to consider replacing the rotten courses of hardboard siding with more durable fiber cement siding. The spaces between each piece of hardboard and along the edges need to be filled with caulk. In most cases the original layer of building paper or housewrap at the bottom of the wall was enough to prevent water infiltration and damage beneath the siding.

We tear off the damaged hardboard and replace it with fiber cement siding. How to remove and replace siding. However masonite siding is vulnerable to rot cracks insects fire fungus and insecticides due to which it softens over time making caulking some repair and repainting almost necessary. This siding is completely rot and insect resistant and can even handle salt spray from the ocean.

But without proper attention isolated areas can begin rotting in only a few years especially near the foundation. Hardboard siding needs to be primed and painted just like wood. Hardie board siding can be made to mimic just about any other siding material including wood lap boards cedar shingles and wood shake siding. The sheathing and framing sometimes need repairs too but that is less common.

Water splashes up from the ground frequently soaking the vulnerable bottom edges. You also need to stay on top of the caulking. However replacing the damaged boards is difficult for the simple reason that hardboard siding is no longer manufactured. Remove damaged siding remove the deteriorated hardboard siding using a pry bar and chisel being careful not to damage.

Replacing water damaged hardboard siding with durable fiber cement siding.