Rotted Hardboard Siding

Cut fiber cement.

Rotted hardboard siding.

Hardboard siding needs to be primed and painted just like wood. This usually occurs on the bottom rows of siding near the ground or on siding that adjoins a roof or chimney. When hardboard siding is installed and maintained correctly it can hold up for 30 or 40 years. Failure to do so can lead to moisture and insect infiltration that will in turn lead to rotting and deterioration of the boards.

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. Hardie board siding can be made to mimic just about any other siding material including wood lap boards cedar shingles and wood shake siding. But without proper attention isolated areas can begin rotting in only a few years especially near the foundation. 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.

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. Water splashes up from the ground frequently soaking the vulnerable bottom edges. The sheathing and framing sometimes need repairs too but that is less common. However replacing the damaged boards is difficult for the simple reason that hardboard siding is no longer manufactured.

If you have this problem you might want to consider replacing the rotten courses of hardboard siding with more durable fiber cement siding. This siding is completely rot and insect resistant and can even handle salt spray from the ocean. 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. Color options are virtually unlimited.

We tear off the damaged hardboard and replace it with fiber cement siding. This is most common on the bottom few courses near the foundation. Replacing water damaged hardboard siding with durable fiber cement siding. Water from rain or sprinklers can damage hardboard and wood siding over time causing it to rot or deteriorate.

Remove damaged siding remove the deteriorated hardboard siding using a pry bar and chisel being careful not to damage. You also need to stay on top of the caulking. To remove and replace damaged siding. One of the disadvantages of hardboard siding is that exposure to water can cause it to deteriorate over time.

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.