Rotted Hardboard Siding

If you have this problem you might want to consider replacing the rotten courses of hardboard siding with more durable fiber cement siding.

Rotted hardboard siding.

We tear off the damaged hardboard and replace it with fiber cement siding. This usually occurs on the bottom rows of siding near the ground or on siding that adjoins a roof or chimney. Failure to do so can lead to moisture and insect infiltration that will in turn lead to rotting and deterioration of the boards. 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.

Hardie board siding can be made to mimic just about any other siding material including wood lap boards cedar shingles and wood shake siding. 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. Cut fiber cement. Repairing masonite siding is a moderately easy project that you can handle all by yourself and using the tools equipment per the steps mentioned below you can go about the repair with little difficulty.

The sheathing and framing sometimes need repairs too but that is less common. When hardboard siding is installed and maintained correctly it can hold up for 30 or 40 years. Remove damaged siding remove the deteriorated hardboard siding using a pry bar and chisel being careful not to damage. This is most common on the bottom few courses near the foundation.

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. You also need to stay on top of the caulking. Hardboard siding needs to be primed and painted just like wood. Replacing water damaged hardboard siding with durable fiber cement siding.

The spaces between each piece of hardboard and along the edges need to be filled with caulk. Water splashes up from the ground frequently soaking the vulnerable bottom edges. However replacing the damaged boards is difficult for the simple reason that hardboard siding is no longer manufactured. Color options are virtually unlimited.

To remove and replace damaged siding. 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. Water from rain or sprinklers can damage hardboard and wood siding over time causing it to rot or deteriorate. But without proper attention isolated areas can begin rotting in only a few years especially near the foundation.

Replace rotten sheathing if needed replace the sheathing behind the siding using 1 2 plywood covered with builder s.