Maintaining Hardieplank siding requires regular care and upkeep from both you and the manufacturer, such as using your garden hose regularly for washings and bi-annual paint touch ups.
Fiber cement siding may require more upkeep than vinyl, but its durability allows it to withstand damage without losing its beauty. Should it become loose or come off completely, however, your home could become vulnerable to weather and pest damage.
Removing the Existing Siding
Make sure that when replacing individual boards or all the siding on your home, that you plan the removal process carefully and prioritize safety by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). If this task seems beyond your reach, hire a professional contractor.
Start your project by clearing the work area of any outdoor furniture or plants that could obstruct your workspace. Next, insert a pry bar or special fiber cement siding removal tool underneath each loose board and gently pry them off of their bases until free. Finally, gently pry them up away from the wall by pulling upward.
To avoid damage to the wall underneath, it’s advisable to pull nails out as you go along from boards using a cat’s paw pry bar with sharp claws that force nails out when hit with a hammer. Also consider countersinking any remaining nails so they won’t pull up and out of their stud.
Inspecting the Boards
Hardie Plank siding on your home needs to be regularly checked for loose boards that could expose it to weather and insects. Loose boards can be easily moved using a paint scraper before face nailing them back into place to safeguard its protection.
Hardie board’s cement content provides it with greater resistance against cracking and splitting than wood does; however, water infiltration can still damage it significantly, so regular checks on moisture damage inspection are essential.
Simply observe your siding from different angles and under different lighting conditions to detect this issue. If it has a “chicken pox” appearance with spots of faded touch-up paint and signs of moisture penetration into its wall cavities, this could indicate improper caulk use resulting in water entering.
If your siding shows signs of water damage, contact a siding contractor immediately. Blistering paint and fungus growth are indicators that water has infiltrated behind the siding, potentially causing structural issues for your home.
Filling Cracks
Once the new boards have been installed, it’s essential to caulk any seams around them in order to prevent moisture from seeping into the wall cavity and further damaging it. James Hardie recommends using caulk that remains flexible over time.
Maintain the integrity of your home by inspecting its siding regularly for signs of wear or damage and making repairs as needed. While a professional may be the better choice in handling this project, homeowners can take on this task themselves and keep up the integrity of their home’s integrity over time.
To fix cracks in fiber cement siding, the first step should be removing loose boards that leave your house vulnerable to weather and insect damage. Next, move any loose boards back into their proper spots on your home’s exterior before using either pneumatic nailers or hand nailing (face nailing) to nail it into place using full coverage nails (ideally completely covered by board) so as to allow adequate curing time before reinstating new nails into place.
Repainting
Hardie plank siding can look incredible when painted correctly and last for decades. Working with a professional exterior painting expert will allow you to select the appropriate paint and application techniques for your home.
Inspection is also important in terms of keeping weather and insect damage under control, with loose boards leaving your house exposed to weathering or insect attacks. Repair can often be accomplished by face-nailing them back into place.
Before repainting, always first use a pressure washer and scrub the surface thoroughly to eliminate dirt and mildew build-up, in order to ensure a stronger bond between new paint and its intended target surface. This step will also increase longevity.
Always opt for exterior paint as this type is specially formulated to withstand moisture and temperature changes. Also make sure that any trim, windows and doors have their seams caulked to prevent moisture entering the walls and causing further damage. Once caulking has set up, repainting will complete your task – simply give every wall another coat of exterior paint!