Repairing Guides

how to repair cracked hardie board siding

by Elissa Brown Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

  • Measure the Damage. The first step to repairing hardie plank siding is measuring the damage. ...
  • Repairing Severely Damaged Hardie Planks
  • Remove Damaged Boards. If one or more of the Hardie planks is severely damaged, the first step is to remove it completely. ...
  • Replace Damaged Boards. Once you have removed the damaged board, replace it with a new one by sliding it into place and tapping it gently into position using a hammer.
  • Caulk and Paint it. Once the new board is in place, caulk the seams between it and the adjacent boards using a tube of caulk.
  • Repairing Minor Cracks or Peel offs
  • Use Putty and Paint. If your hardie plank siding has minor cracks in it, these may be filled using putty. ...
  • Caulk Seams. If your hardie plank siding has started to peel off in some areas, you can use caulk to stop the peeling and ensure that moisture does not get ...
  • Paint Over It. Before painting over the surface, make sure the putty has been dried out completely and has cured for at least 24 hours.
  • Final Words. After you have repaired all areas that need attention, go around your property and inspect other planks to see if any of them show signs of damage.

Part of a video titled Fixing Siding - YouTube
3:04
7:51
And just wipe it through there you want to try to be liberal with it as you as much as you canMoreAnd just wipe it through there you want to try to be liberal with it as you as much as you can because you want the caulking to stay in the crack to fill it up okay.

Full Answer

Does your Hardie board siding need cleaning?

GENERAL: It is recommended that hardboard siding be cleaned once per year. This normally would be carried out using a soft brush or sponge along with a mild detergent mixed with water. This cleaning is, in fact, a condition of our warranty and the consequences from dirt and mildew are beyond our control.

How to tell if your home has hardboard siding?

PRESSBOARD SIDING CARE & MAINTENANCE

  1. Watch for any major flaws. Be on the lookout for any cracked paint, missing sealant, holes, loose nails and other such problems in your hardboard siding that could lead ...
  2. Slope the ground away from hardboard siding. Make sure that the ground slopes away from the foundation. ...
  3. Keep nature away from hardboard siding. ...

More items...

How to clean your James Hardie siding?

  • Always clean and rinse from the top of the siding to the bottom, so that grime gets washed away instead of spread around on the siding.
  • Don’t let soap or cleansers dry on the siding. ...
  • Regularly rinse out the cloth or sponge as you work, to avoid spreading any grime around on the siding.

More items...

How to stain hardiplank siding?

How to Stain Hardiplank Siding

  1. Finish the board prior to installation. To achieve the appearance of stained wood on Hardiplank, your best bet is to finish the siding before it is installed on ...
  2. Lay the boards out flat, wood-grained side up. Fiber-cement stain is a product that replicates the look of natural wood by pooling in the imprinted grain pattern on ...
  3. Dust off the boards. ...

More items...

image

Can you repair Hardie plank siding?

Though it is a tough wearing product, the surface of the siding can sometimes be damaged during installation, by unusual wear or by impact. The James Hardie company, makers of HardiePlank, recommends the use of a cement patch product made of an acrylic mortar compound for patching their siding products.

How do you repair cracked fiber cement siding?

Step 1: Inspect the Damage. Take a close look at your damaged fiber-cement siding. ... Step 2: Clean the Siding. ... Step 3: Mix the Patching Compound. ... Step 4: Apply the Patching Compound to the Crack. ... Step 5: Let the Compound Set. ... Step 6: Paint the Siding.

How do you fix a crack in a hardy board?

Hardie board siding usually cracks due to poor installation. The original installer might have accidentally installed a nail too close to the edge of the siding, causing a crack. You can easily fix it by cleaning it and then using caulk to patch the gap.

How do you replace one piece of fiber cement siding?

3:114:42Replacing some pieces of hardboard siding with decent results - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou know measure it measure the replacement. Board cutting it with a circular saw just a regularMoreYou know measure it measure the replacement. Board cutting it with a circular saw just a regular blade in here kind of a general purpose blade stuff cuts very very easily.

Can Hardie board be patched?

Dents, chips, cracks and other minor surface damage in Hardie® siding and trim products can be filled with cementitious patching compound.

Why does Hardie board crack?

Nails driven below the panel surface and directional nailing can cause cracking and splitting of fiber cement. Nailing too high or close at an edge. This can create a small crack which leads from the nail to the edge of the siding board. House Settling or moving.

How do you repair cement board siding?

Use a plastic putty knife to apply the patching material to the damaged area, filling in the area and shaping the patch to match the original contours of the siding. Allow the patch to thoroughly dry and apply another thin layer of patching material if the first layer shrank during the drying process.

How do you fix fiber cement board?

4:498:25Fabricating and installing fiber cement boards - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo reinforce the seams it's important to use alkali resistant tape and because backer boards don'tMoreTo reinforce the seams it's important to use alkali resistant tape and because backer boards don't have a tapered edge I hold off installing the tape until each seam is about to be covered with tile

What causes cement siding to crack?

Improper handling - The boards—especially long ones—should be supported at both ends when moved. Fiber cement planks are floppy until secured on the wall and holding only in the middle or transporting over a shoulder will cause a dramatic sag at both ends. The stress can cause a crack at the center of a board.

How much does it cost to replace one piece of siding?

The average national cost to repair siding sits at about $500. This number will vary among siding types. Repairs on low-cost materials, like vinyl, may only cost $50. Meanwhile, more costly siding repair, like stone siding repair, can cost up to $5,000.

How do you fill holes in Hardie board?

The installation guide for Hardie Board, which is a brand of cement board siding recommends using caulking to fill nail holes. When I've installed it I used a high-quality exterior paintable calking after smoothing the edge of the holes. Once the caulk is dry you can touch up the paint.

How do you caulk fiber cement siding?

0:542:14How to like a Pro: Caulking Cement Siding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe caulking tube which we use our tool that's on the caulking gun we push it in pull it out this isMoreThe caulking tube which we use our tool that's on the caulking gun we push it in pull it out this is ready to go we insert it in the gun. Push it up where it needs to go. And we're ready to begin.

How do you fix fiber cement board?

4:498:25Fabricating and installing fiber cement boards - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo reinforce the seams it's important to use alkali resistant tape and because backer boards don'tMoreTo reinforce the seams it's important to use alkali resistant tape and because backer boards don't have a tapered edge I hold off installing the tape until each seam is about to be covered with tile

What causes cement siding to crack?

Improper handling - The boards—especially long ones—should be supported at both ends when moved. Fiber cement planks are floppy until secured on the wall and holding only in the middle or transporting over a shoulder will cause a dramatic sag at both ends. The stress can cause a crack at the center of a board.

How do you fix a cracked fibro wall?

0:011:23How to repair cracks in rendered walls - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure use exterior filler on exterior surfaces. Now that effective skills you will need toMoreMake sure use exterior filler on exterior surfaces. Now that effective skills you will need to remove any excess Philippine edges. Just gently brush away the excess filler.

Should fiber cement siding be caulked?

Many professionals, like those at James Hardie, also agree that you should not use caulk on fiber cement siding unless there is no metal flashing underneath. Flashing acts as a waterproofing layer for this type of siding, and caulking will prevent the flashing from doing its job.

How to make cementitious patching compound?

Mix the latex-modified cementitious patching compound in a small bucket, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Blend the compound until its consistency is stiff enough to hold on the tip of a putty knife.

How long does it take for a sanding compound to cure?

Wait three hours for the compound to cure. Keep the surface of the compound moist by spraying it with a mist of water if it begins to dry. Allow the repaired area to sit for 24 hours.

Is fiber cement siding good for a home?

Fiber-cement siding is an attractive alternative for homeowners who want the look of wood siding with the rot resistance, fire resistance and durability of cement. Fiber-cement siding is low-cost for its rated lifespan and is easy to maintain when compared with other siding choices.

Can fiber cement cracks be repaired?

No matter how durable fiber-cement siding is, though, cracks can still occur. Small cracks can be repaired with a special patching compound before they cause breaks, saving you the work of removing and replacing a damaged panel. Adding a fresh coat of paint over the patched area will blend the repair into the surrounding siding.

Why does fiber cement siding come loose?

There are two main reasons that cause fiber cement siding to come loose, both of which stem from faulty installation of either missing a stud or nailing too high on the pieces. A plank that is nailed too high will start to sag because the thin top lip has started to give.

What is the gap between fiber cement siding joints?

One thing to note about gaps between joints of fiber cement siding is that they are left there on purpose. Although the material expands and contracts less than wood, best installation practices still allow for some movement and to respond to shifts in the home.

Can you remove fiber cement boards from a home?

Therefore it's important to know how the product is installed to begin with. Fiber cement lap siding is generally blind-nailed at the top of the plank with the nails being covered by the subsequent row of siding.

Can you face nail a lap siding?

When sliding the last board into place underneath an overlapping row of siding, you may have to face nail it into place because the top nailing lip is hard to reach. Use some touch up paint to cover up these face nails and then re-caulk any gaps to completely repair fiber cement lap siding.

Can you repair cracked fiber cement siding?

There's no doubt that removing entire sections of board risks damage to corresponding areas but in many ways it's the only tried and true way of how to repair cracked fiber cement siding. If you need to repair fiber cement siding hole because of raccoons, mice, squirrels, birds, etc. there may be a way to fix the sections while they are in place.

What is the best way to clean siding and trim?

Extra care should be taken when cleaning your siding and trim using a pressure washer.

How much pressure should I use to keep siding and trim from leaking?

To minimize the chance of damaging your siding and trim use a wide fan tip, keep a minimum of 6 feet from the wall, and keep the pressure below 1500 psi. Maintaining the exterior of your home helps prevent water intrusion and is an important part of sustaining the beauty and value of your home.

What is fiber cement maintenance?

As a guide, it is recommended that normal fiber cement maintenance tasks and care include: Installing gutters and downspouts on your home —if they are not already present when you purchased the home. Cleaning out your gutters, blocked pipes, and overflows of any debris, leaves, twigs and dirt.

Can you replace James Hardie siding?

It is advised to replace the damage siding with a new section of ColorPlus® siding. If your James Hardie siding was originally painted after it was installed on your home, then check the original paint manufacturer’s recommendations for reapplication of paint.

Can James Hardie siding be filled with cementitious?

Dents, chips, cracks and other minor surface damage in James Hardie siding and trim products can be filled with cementitious patching compound. Refer to manufacturer’s recommendations for products that are compatible with fiber cement.

Step 1

Brush away any chipped paint, small loose pieces of siding or anything else that mars the plane of the siding.

Step 2

Sand over the damaged area lightly but thoroughly with a medium-grit sandpaper to smooth any jagged edges and create an easy grip surface for the patch product.

Step 3

Apply the patch product to the damaged area with the flexible putty knife to fill in any indentations or holes.

Step 4

Hold the knife roughly perpendicular to the siding patch to finish the surface of the patch, and taper out the edges of the mortar patch blending it into the surrounding siding.

Step 5

Allow the patch material to dry thoroughly according to the recommendations on the product label.

Step 6

Sand the dried patch material lightly with a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface and blend the edges of the patch with the surrounding siding. Feel along the patch to identify any bumps that need to be smoothed out with further sanding.

Step 7

Wipe or brush away any of the sanding grit with a clean, dry, lint-free rag or a clean and dry brush, leaving a smooth surface.

Why is my fiber cement siding buckling?

Buckled fiber cement siding is most likely to occur because the installer failed to give the recommended gap between the ends of the fiber cement boards and abutting vertical trim at corners, windows, doors, etc. Buckling fiber cement siding may also occur if the product was not properly nailed.

Why does my siding have algae?

Algae, fungus, moss or lichens on siding are usually due to a combination of moisture and shade on the building wall. Plants too close to the building wall, repeated wetting by sprinkler systems, or unnecessarily dense close shade tree growth are conditions that can usually be remedied.

Can fiber cement siding be sealed?

Cut ends of fiber cement siding should have been sealed using 100% acrylic latex primer or paint (Certainteed) or in some cases using an approved caulk wiped on the cut surface (see our notes on Hardieplank installation). And caulk is required at certain joints such as vertical trim at windows, doors, corners.

Can you replace cracked siding?

You can replace the damaged sections (work with care); You could also back-flash and then simply paint the cracked siding; #N#any sealant or "patch" will "work" mechanically to seal the crack but it'll be ugly when painted.

Can James Hardie siding be filled with cementitious?

Dents, chips, cracks and other minor surface damage in James Hardie siding and trim products can be filled with cementitious patching compound. Refer to manufacturer recommendations for products that are compatible with fiber cement.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9