
- 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.
How much does it cost to replace siding with hardiplank?
The average cost to install Hardie siding is $6 and $13 per square foot. Installing Hardiplank shingles on a 1,600 SF house costs $10,000 to $18,000 on average. James Hardie is the most well-known fiber cement siding brand due to its longevity, appearance, fire-resistance, and weather-resistance.
How to repair and maintain Hardie plank siding?
- 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.
- Keeping vegetation such as shrubs, bushes, and small trees trimmed back and away from the home and siding.
How do I remove and replace Hardie board siding?
Remove any nails that still might be underneath the bottom portion of the piece above the one you removed. (Just the nails that will prevent the new board from sliding back into place.) You can either completely remove the nails, or clip them off. Placing your Hardie board. Placing the new piece of hardie board is just as simple as the demo.
How much does hardieplank siding cost?
James Hardie Board Siding Cost. James Hardie board siding costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot on average for the materials only. The average cost to install Hardie siding is $6 and $13 per square foot.Installing Hardiplank shingles on a 1,600 SF house costs $10,000 to $18,000 on average.. James Hardie is the most well-known fiber cement siding brand due to its longevity, appearance, fire ...

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 Hardie board siding?
3:047:51Fixing Siding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd 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.
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 you repair cement board siding?
Repair or Patching Fiber Cement Board Siding Refer to manufacturer recommendations for products that are compatible with fiber cement. For small areas of damage you can use a sealant/caulk (preferably one designed for cement repairs) but then you will have to paint those areas of repair to match the original color.
How do you fill Hardie board cracks?
Use thin-set mortar to repair cracks or holes in cement boards. Step 3: Mix up a small amount of thin-set mortar following the manufacturer's instructions. Thin-set mortar typically has a working time of less than 15 minutes, so smaller batches are the way to go.
How do you repair holes in fiber cement 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?
2:1410:26Installing cement board on the wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipReally on the walls I'm only going about four screws four to five screws. Down the stud. You canMoreReally on the walls I'm only going about four screws four to five screws. Down the stud. You can just spread them out we'll talk about this when you get to the floor.
Why does fiber cement siding 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.
How do you repair damaged siding?
0:503:26How To Patch and Repair Siding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's quick and it's easy all it is is taking a piece of vinyl siding trimming off a couple of partsMoreIt's quick and it's easy all it is is taking a piece of vinyl siding trimming off a couple of parts on it. So that it slides up under a joint and then pop rivets on the bottom.
What kind of caulk do you use on Hardie board siding?
Manufacturers' Caulk and Sealant Recommendation Sheet S-100B Caulks and Sealants: James Hardie recommends the use of caulks and sealants that remain permanently flexible.
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.
What is a hardie plank?
HardiePlank is a brand of fiber cement board that is used for exterior siding projects. It is similar to traditional, beveled wood lap siding. If you have loose HardiePlank siding on your home, it is important to fix it. Loose siding can leave your home unprotected from weather and insects.
How are nails covered in blind nailing?
The nails are covered by the board overlap in the blind nailing method, while the nails are left exposed on the exterior of the boards in the face nailing method. Loose boards are repaired by face-nailing them in place. Advertisement.
How far apart should nails be on siding?
Hammer the nails approximately 3/4-inch to 1-inch up from the bottom edge of the board that is directly above the loose siding. Space the nails 16 inches apart. The nail heads should rest snugly against the surface of the boards. It is important that they are not sunk below the surface of the boards so that they create a weather-tight seal.
Who is Jonah Morrissey?
Jonah Morrissey. Jonah Morrissey has been writing for print and online publications since 2000. He began his career as a staff reporter/photographer for a weekly newspaper in upstate New York. Morrissey specializes in topics related to home-and-garden projects, green living and small business.
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.
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 the best way to clean siding and trim?
Extra care should be taken when cleaning your siding and trim using a pressure washer.
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.
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.
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 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.
Is flashing a color?
The flashing should be a non-discreet color so that it is barely noticeable. If there are significant gaps that are destroying the aesthetics of the siding (board too small to begin with, too large of expansion gaps) the best practice is to remove and replace, both for cosmetics and moisture prevention. Fiber cement siding is a highly durable ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do you need caulk on a J channel?
And caulk is required at certain joints such as vertical trim at windows, doors, corners. Caulk is not to be installed in J channel, F- channel, nor in fiber cement siding butt joints, though it may have been applied later by a homeowner or maintenance contractor.
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.
What is hardie siding made of?
By now you probably know that Hardie siding is made of fiber cement, which requires installers to take care when cutting to make sure that they don’t breathe in small sand (silica) particles. Continued exposure to these particles can lead to severe long-term health issues for workers if it isn’t managed correctly.
What are some common mistakes James Hardie makes?
1. Ugly Touch-Ups. Touch-up mistakes are by far the most common error that Edmonton’s James Hardie installers make. Because James Hardie paints and cures its siding in its factories, the sheen of the touch-up that it sends out doesn’t quite match up.
How long does James Hardie siding last?
James Hardie siding is a beautiful exterior product that can last longer than 30 years in Edmonton’s harsh climate. However, to ensure that the product lasts as long as it should and looks great throughout its lifespan, it’s important that your siding contractor follows the installation instructions.
How much gap between James Hardie siding?
Hardie siding requires a minimum 2” gap from all hard surfaces like decks or rooflines, and at least 8” from any soft surfaces like grass, dirt, or gravel.
How to fix bad touch ups on siding?
Unfortunately, the only way to fix bad touch-ups on Hardie siding is to repaint the entire affected wall or section. So how do you tell if your contractor is using too much touch-up before it starts to fade? The easiest way to tell is to look at your house from multiple angles and in different light conditions.
How to tell if siding is done properly?
The easiest way to tell is to look at your house from multiple angles and in different light conditions. If you see 1” to 2” circular shiny spots, your contractor may not have done their touch-ups correctly. Another easy way to tell if your siding contractor is doing their touch-ups properly is to watch them work.
Does James Hardie have caulking?
Because almost all of the James Hardie product installed in Edmonton is prefinished ColorPlus siding, the caulking will be available in all of James Hardie’s colours. Always remember to match the caulking to the colour of the siding, never to the colour of the trim.
