how to fix loose cement board siding
The peeling top coat on the siding shown above (Rhinebeck, NY) shows a white primer remaining in place on the fiber cement siding. Loose boards are repaired by face-nailing them in place. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07. Pry off the plank using a pry bar or hammer and chisel until it comes loose. Bill, If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Please see your question and my reply, now at by email 2016/06/12. OPINION: Few builders were English majors and fewer are inclined to read the manufacturer's installation details, less to follow them. Junctions with other claddings and/or roof poorly detailed/constructed. Our photos below illustrate what we found when taking a closer look at this installation: leaks at window tops and rotted trim everywhere on the building. In most cases, homeowners can quickly learn how to fix loose siding, especially with help from this article. The home in our photo was about ten years old. A good design is for what people will do in construction, not what they should do. The siding on the second floor appears over the years to have been effected by rain dripping off the roof or back-splashing onto the siding that has caused gray streaks in wide areas of the siding. Siding in high places might also present a problem if you want to avoid working on a ladder. 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. . I wouldn't go so far as to say the builder is "intentionally" letting water behind the siding but rather that they're ignoring both the practices guide and the problems that may ensue. You then let the patch dry and sand it to blend into the surrounding parts of the plank. The omission of head flashing over windows & doors invites leaks behind the siding, rotted window & door trim, and a need for early exterior window & trim repairs or replacement. How do you repair a damaged cement board? Paint Handbook: testing, selection, application, troubleshooting, surface preparation, etc., Guy E. Weismantel, Ed., McGraw Hill Book Company, 1981, ISBN-10: 0070690618, ISBN-13: 978-0070690615, [Excellent but a bit obsolete paint theory and practice, also a bit light on field investigation methods, out of print, available used-DF], Paint and Surface Coatings, Theory and Practice, R. Lambourne & T.A. Only dots, don't do a continuous bead and create a drainage issue. Contact us today. He is experienced. What does code say about your installation methods? Here is what James Hardie says about repairs to their siding product: James Hardie [JH] does not approve use of JH approved color matched caulk, other caulking materials or cementitious They were improperly nailed. Richard Except in high wind areas, the product is installed using blind nailing (nails at the top of each siding course are covered by the succeeding course). Finally, now that your siding is clean and renewed, it's ready to paint. and Kamloops B.C. Additional cost will come to paint the new pieces or to paint the wall to cover nail heads. Builder Mike Guertin explains how to make and install a temporary patch for damaged vinyl siding. 5. Todays Homeowner Radio Show Podcast | April 15, 2023, Todays Homeowner Radio Show Podcast | April 8, 2023, Todays Homeowner Radio Show Podcast | April 1, 2023, Ask Danny | Ep. Thanks for your help. If the siding went on really dry (as it ought but often does not) I might expect some buckling problems to ensue. Use some touch up paint to cover up these face nails and then re-caulk any gaps to completely repair fiber cement lap siding. Adapted, expanded & excerpted from CertainTeed Corporation's "CertainTeed WeatherBoards Fiber Cement Siding Installation Manual" [5a], from "Fiber Cement Siding Best Practices for Effective Job Site Management"[5b] and from JamesHardie Corporation installation instructions and bulletins for JamesHardie HardiePlank lap siding. Doing It Right is proud to be a top asphalt roofing & vinyl siding contractor in Pittsburgh. In our OPINION fiber cement siding is not likely to actually "warp", as it's a cementious product; but indeed if the product is not properly installed, including end gaps at vertical trim abutments and proper nailing using the specified fasteners, at the specified intervals, and nailed into sound sheathing of adequate thickness or into wall studs, then expansion due to moisture uptake and/or thermal changes may result in buckling of the material, particularly on sun-exposed walls. We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. Replace missing and non-repairable pieces. - M.K. "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. Wind is often the culprit responsible for working loose a piece of aluminum or vinyl siding. Frank: As you can see in our fiber cement lap siding butt joint gap photo at left, the gap is unattractive; in this installation we see the housewrap in the siding gap opening - telling us that there was no back-flashing and that wind-blown rain will certainly pass behind the siding at rates above usual - possibly leading to leaks into the building walls. Mobile: 0086-15924317823; E-Mail: sales6@yhboard.com; Skype: dajiezi107, We confirmed that the siding was not made by James Hardie nor by Certainteed. Stephanie informed us that there are no moisture numbers, that it is not possible to measure moisture in fiber cement siding (utter nonsense!) Hot-dipped galvanized fasteners or stainless steel (near salt or ocean areas) are recommended. The fiber cement shingle siding that I've painted held that paint very well. From the pattern one must suspect some other "stain" cause. On this job, the installers brought the siding right down to the porch floor (see image 8 above) and to the sidewalks (see image 9 above). This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Don't count on much help from James Hardie's customer warranty department on siding shrinkage or butt joint gap concerns. The RYOBIs 18-Gauge Cordless AirStrike Brad Nailer The Ultimate Tool for On-the-Go Nailing! Don't count on much help from James Hardie's customer warranty department on siding shrinkage or butt joint gap concerns. Hi. Hardie sells touch-up paint that can match the color of your HardyBoard siding. The cracked siding doesn't appear to be specific to any side or part of the house. I would not just nail down buckled siding; let's first understand what's going on. Just about any building siding material can be damaged by external events, though some products such as fiber cement siding, and asbestos cement shingle siding are more vulnerable to breakage compared with vinyl siding (which can still be punctured or broken under some conditions) or aluminum siding (which dents and which can still be punctured under certain conditions). Put on protective eyewear and a face mask. In the high wind a board and batten approach might actually work better as a means of attaching the siding. From that position you probably can't use the hacksaw trick I describe above, but you can use either the slating tool I describe to cut the nails OR you can use a thin flat bar to drive up, cutting each nail in position. Hardie sells touch-up paint that can match the color of your HardyBoard siding. We're building a house that calls for shingles on the gable ends and dormers, with lap siding on the rest of the house. HardiePlank is a brand of fiber cement board that is used for exterior siding projects. See PAINT SURFACE PREPARATION for more help. Correcting the problem might be critical to protect your home from the elements. In that case it's the issue of wetting the siding back that's probably going to contribute to cosmetic complaints of buckling and bending. This putty should be included in every fiber cement repair kit. This will allow you to remove the nails without damaging the top piece of siding. [12][12b] and finally also from applicable building codes & standards. ames Hardie routinely receives inquiries from consumers and builders regarding the use of paint as touch-up on ColorPlus How do you replace damaged cement board siding? Then have them face nail the siding to the studs. Boards that are actually broken away will need to be cut out and replaced. We would like to avoid replacing all of the siding on the house as our contractor suggests as the product is no longer available and the siding is attractive except where peeling. When was the siding installed? The installers do this because they are trying to make sure that their fasteners won't be exposed but they get too sloppy with their placement to effectively hold the siding tight.Blind nailed Hardie siding requires a very specific location of the nails to properly bind the siding to the substrate and framing. Except for one unusual problem. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. larry. If the FC lap siding boards are nailed very tightly you may be able to reach up under the board you are going to remove, using a flat bar, to pry GENTLY at the top of the board, beneath thus the board to be removed and the lower edge of the board course above it, prying thus between the back of the lower board and the wall sheathing, just enough to open the boards enough to go back to the hacksaw. All rights reserved. We want to paint but have noticed some cracks in the cement. At left we illustrate another failure to follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. Removing fiber cement boards from the exterior of a home is basically installing in reverse. Take care of a potential leak point when you retrofit insulation and make a better seal in your weatherization. This process lets you find the full extent of the disconnection between pieces. My home inspector called out that the newly painted hard board siding didn't have new caulking in the butt joints. It is similar to traditional, beveled wood lap siding. Gently pull with the tool as you move along the loose piece. Qiet, no firehazard problem, longlasting. Gently pull with the tool as you move along the loose piece. House is 10 yrs old. Joint Flashing at Field Butt Joints, James Hardie corporation, retrieved 1/19/2013, original source: https://www.jameshardie.com/pdf/technical-bulletins/9-joint-flashing.pdf, [17] Technical Bulletin #17, Hot Water Radiator (Which Is Best for Your Home?). House is 10 yrs old. Ago any suggestions on cause? Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page. Repeat for emphasis: get the exact nailing pattern, including fastner specs and location, in writing. Loose siding can leave your home unprotected from weather and insects. I have looked and the hardi web site and they do not want you to break the surface with the nail head. 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. JamesHardie's installation guide recommends installation of weather flashing behind the horizontal lap siding board butt joints and requires it in some products - it was omitted completely in this installation. Please visit JamesHardieCommercial.com for further information. there may be a way to fix the sections while they are in place. 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. I've seen Hardie installations that would most certainly flap in the wind. We'll most likely be putting this siding up ourselves (we're GC's, building our own house this time around). It's important to keep the compound moist (so that it doesn't crack), so spray with a fine mist of water if it starts to dry out. Expansion Characteristics of James Hardie Siding Products, James Hardie Corporation, retrieved 1/19/2013, original source: https://www.jameshardie.com/pdf/technical-bulletins/8-expansion-characteristics.pdf [copy on file], [20] Johnston, Colin D., Fiber-reinforced cements and concretes. Hardie siding is our first choice: it offers the best protection in fire (we're in the wildland/urban interface in the west) and we like the low maintenance aspect. Pinning the plank down at the bottom edge is a common practice called "pin back." It is used to correct "high nailing", loose planks, gaps or rattling. The painter said the butt joints don't need to be caulked and that the backing paper was adequate to prevent moisture intrusion. Tel: 0086-574-63974118/83887668 Fax:0086-574-63974129/83887670 If your boards include a pattern such as a wood grain, small areas of repair can be tooled to match the surrounding lines with a putty knife; for larger areas of repair some owners have tried making a clay impression of nearby surfaces to press into the patch. These areas include, but not limited to, penetrations, flashings, plank and trim connections, and in some cases, between plank joints. The fiber cement complaints, while probably doing less total building harm than the EIFS issue, have some similar features. Fiber cement board lap siding repair guide. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. Patching holes is an easy and relatively inexpensive fix at . 5. Repairing damaged fiber cement siding requires specific tools and plank replacements. We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. I have chipped/dented the face trim around my garage door while turning into the garage with my truck. Caulking is n ok t always recomnended and in fact can cause a cosmetic problem on textured surfaces. The repaired crack will take approximately 24 hours to fully cure prior to painting. Mike,I think I'm missing part of the question here, so you may need to elaborate or use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send me photos of the problem. Slide a paint scraper against the surface of the loose boards in a back and forth motion while applying slight pressure. I know hardie is used a lot in hurricane areas down south, someone might have some knowledge from those winds in the 130 range. If cracks are found in the siding, a repair kit can be purchased for about $15 to fill in gaps with caulking. If there is no stud available (such as near gable trim) and the plank is curling or rattling, its recommended to pin back the board by face nailing it 3/4 to 1 from the bottom strictly for aesthetics and not to increase wind load. This can be diagnosed by a lot of vertical movement in the board. Take care not to pry too much or you'll break the boards above. I am beginning to think that those pieces are not Hardy but some type of masonite kind of material. But a read of the requirement to keep the FC siding dry until installed offers a clue. Has anybody had problems with Hardie siding rattling in wind? Fixing standard wood siding costs $600 to $2,400 for 200 square feet. In any event, the installation troubles documented here are largely attributable to failure to follow fiber cement board lap siding installation specifications from either of the major U.S. manufacturers. Is there a way to install Hardie Shingles that would work in a high wind area? warping, or loose panels . (There's a whole separate set of gripes about shrinkage of wet siding). Allow the patch to thoroughly dry and apply another thin layer of patching material if the first layer shrank during the drying process. It does not warrant, in any respect, the appearance or performance of any third party coatings or finishes, including Bob's next test date: 12/10/07. Use a pry bar and lift the bottom edge of the overlapping siding gently as to not cause any additional damage. We've got experience with Hardie-plank--it's the shingles that are new to us, and the @#$%ing wind. Read our advertiser disclosure for more info. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly. ", Early Retirement.org online blog, retrieved 1/14/2013, original source: http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f27/anyone-else-have- HardiePlank-siding-on-their-house-19475.html, [4] - DIY Chatroom, retrieved 1/17/2013, original source http://www.diychatroom.com/f2/ certainteed-weatherboard-vs-HardiePlank-4638/, [5] Certainteed Weatherboard fiber cement siding and trim products - see certainteed.com/ or see certainteed.com/resources/sidingandtrimspecsheet.pdf. Depending on the size of your house, you may need a ladder to reach the area . This will allow the patching compound to lock in behind the cement board. Never had a problem with that exterior finish. i would think about doing the 8.25 on a 6-6.5 exposure or the 12" on maybe a 9.5-10 exposure and that would let me drop the nailing pattern a little lower. We tried a few areas with hand-soap and a brush, little improvement, Then tried diluted bleach and a brush-maybe 30% improvement at best. Hold the grinder with both hands and cut down into the board. Fiber cement siding won't "rot" but it will be water damaged, and worse, besides risking rot in the wall structure behind the siding, you are continuing to issue a platinum-engraved invitation to termites and carpenter ants to invade the building structure. Thank you. I don't know what Hardie says about installing this way, or what it does to the warranty, but it is a lot tighter and not that much slower. However if there was actually individual flashing at each butt joint that would be good practice. The caulk sounds like it might help in the short run--but what happens down the road when it dries up? at SLATE ROOF SOURCES & TOOLS and shown here.. Alternatively, working carefully so as not to break the Hardie Lap boards above the ones to be removed, you can use a hacksaw blade to slip up between the boards, slide it horizontally to find the next nail, then saw through the nail. Use only completely acrylic paint, and apply with rollers. Tel: 0086-574-63974118/83887668 Fax:0086-574-63974129/83887670 [21] Hugh Cairns, Subject 2 Home Inspections, is a professional home inspector in British Columbia, Canada, with offices in Kelowna B.C. It's important to ensure the area is cleaned and any uneven edges are made solid, otherwise, the cement patch won't adhere to the surface and may require repeat maintenance. only. We tried repainting once and it peeled again in a year. I just moved into a new house and the previous owners built some planter beds right up against the house. Unfortunately more nailing defects were apparent at the gable ends of the home where the lap siding abutted (or was supposed to abut) the gable end trim. Push the blade down so that it will cut into the board and then pull the trigger. To post a photo at any InspectApedia page, simply begin a comment in the comment box, then click the "add image" button, and select the image file from its location on your computer; or if from your smartphone you are viewing InspectApedia.com pages such as SIDING, FIBER CEMENT DEFECTS (where I'll re-post one of your photos to permit helpful comments from other readers) you can also post a photo from your smart phone either from its image library or, as you'll see, there's an option to take a new photo during the posting process. This method will lock your loose board secure onto the panel below it. Any help would be appreciated. If the lower board was blind-nailed, that is nailed to the wall through its upper edge such that the second course lapped over the nails holding the first course board in place, you'll need to . Gently pry up the lower board using a flat bar beneath its lower edge just enough to be able to slide the flat bar up to the upper edge of the board to find where it is nailed. The Hardie practices you sent, on discussing use of J-channels, focuses on directing water out from behind siding at the bottom of the vertical J's but omits a top J-channel detail that can send enormous amounts of water running down the exterior wall above a window or door into the space behind the vertical J-channel. Fit the siding removal tool underneath the lower edge of the loose siding piece. You could place a small bead of silicone caulk along the groove to help the connection stick together. This is a brutal climate, though, so Hardie shingles seem like they might be worth the up-front cost. Warranty Coverage. We called James Hardie to ask for guidance in determining just how much moisture was "too much" in Hardieplank siding, after observing that siding at a job arrived visibly wet from the factory even though still inside its original sealed plastic wrapping. Patricia I would also not jump to tear it off. The team at PJ Fitzpatrick can handle siding repair jobs of any size. We're talking SERIOUS wind. 12. Inspect the HardiePlank siding on the exterior of your home for loose boards, which will leave your house open to weather and insect damage. The siding paint damage was largely due to excessive wetting from rain-splash. Whether you have shingles, clapboard, fiber cement or vinyl siding, this video. (see appendix G Asbestos) Locate and repair cause of siding damage. Damage, peeling and discoloration has occurred around many nails. When I talked to the builder's foreman, he stated "your right, we could go back and face nail- but you not . Thanks. Were building a house that calls for shingles on the gable ends and dormers, with lap siding on the rest of the house. However, if siding boards have simply become loose over time, it may be possible to repair the loose siding boards. The home was built in 2001. No.189, Longzhen Road, Nongkenchang, Longshan Town, Cixi, Ningbo, Zhejiang China, It would also be diagnostic to examine all sides of the building to look for differences or patterns in where the stains occur, related to sun or weather exposure, road dust and debris, or other external influences. Siding issues are common findings during hom. Here as well as at page top are photos of loose fiber cement siding. At left we show a different loose siding problem: where the diagonal end-cut siding was installed against the home's sloping gable-end trim, the installer perhaps couldn't catch a stud, or perhaps s/he simply didn't want to move the ladder to nail the end of the siding board. I look foreword to hearing back from you. PsBut don't let your favor bamboozle you. I'd also look at the source of water damage: fixing gutters, for example. Our concern is wind. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. Both pieces have numerous bubbles opening up and showing open holes on the face and the sides. For extensive damage, replacing all of the wood siding costs $7,000 to $23,000, depending on the type of wood and the size of the exterior. These issues can be addressed through siding repair. To remove and replace damaged siding: Cut the fiber cement siding to length (wear approved dust protection). Siding pieces that keep coming loose could indicate improper installation. Loose boards are repaired by face-nailing them in place. Now just a few years later the siding ends are curled away from the building. I have had to deal with this problem on FC shingle siding, lap siding and also on slate roofs. OPINION: Clean out the area of damage, removing loose material but trying not to gouge into the boards. Hardie Board vs. Other Fiber Cement Siding Brands. Please help with any ideas you may have, Thank you, Joe Jeffers San Angelo, Texas. [23] James Hardieplank, personal communication with Daniel Friedman, 6/6/2013. Repairing Damaged Siding: Patching House Wrap. James Hardie siding is a fiber-cement product that comes with a 30 or 50 year warranty, but any warranty will be void if the product is improperly installed. SIDING, FIBER CEMENT BOARD REPAIRS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. James Hardies warranty provides coverage for defects in materials and workmanship on ColorPlus products and its Touchup 4 How can I remove cement siding from my house? The truth is there is always variables with any home product that could require repair down the line, mostly having to do with faulty installation (gaps, uneven, loose from poor nailing, lack of backer flashing) but could also include rodents, collisions, extreme weather, or water damage to the underlayment. paint, used as touch-up and third party touch-up paints used on ColorPlus products. Don't assume all fiber-cement details are the same.) (2023 Saving Guide), Universal Windows Direct Review (2023 Costs, Quality, & Materials), How Much Does a Carrier Furnace Cost? 2023 Today's Homeowner Media. I think I'd cut any sealant/caulk with a knife and pull off the corner trimt if replacement were needed. The clearance between the siding and a deck, porch, or hardscape surface, or along the rake of a roof, is much greater. Face-nail the top piece of fiber cement siding through the old siding. You know the foam board between the runners may be a bad idea with fire possibly melting or igniting it. Sidewalls. This will allow you to remove it without damaging . The miracle of modern housewrap materials is not so wonderful if the product is not properly installed. - how to fix & prevent wavy HardieBoard Siding. Remember to keep the clearance between the parts at least 0.35 inches. For larger areas I prefer to use a cement patching compound, sold in plastic tubs or in tubes that can be used in a caulking gun. 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. Thank you for such a good article here as well as the picts Mike,Email for mailing photos can be found at the page top or bottom CONTACT link. I don't think that the problem is lack of ability of water to drain out of the siding - it's usually not painted in the field so the bottom edges of boards aren't sealed against one another by paint - a detail can trap water behind painted clapboard-sheathed walls. Happy with it cement lap siding and also on slate roofs plank using a pry or. Your weatherization FC siding dry until installed offers a clue read the 's! ( we 're GC 's, building our own house this time around ) any! Get the exact Nailing pattern, including fastner specs and location, in writing applicable building &. Later the siding paint damage was largely due to excessive wetting from rain-splash, may... Harm than the EIFS how to fix loose cement board siding, have some similar features siding ends are curled from... The lower edge of the disconnection between pieces flashing at each butt gap! At by email 2016/06/12, this video, in writing they should do happy with it to. Weather and insects, in writing tool reviews, and more, plus the print magazine worth the cost... X27 ; s ready to paint the wall to cover up these face nails and then re-caulk gaps. Now that your siding is clean and renewed, it may be to! These face nails and then pull the trigger the painter said the butt.. Years later the siding loose a piece of siding, with lap siding is clean and renewed, may... A pry bar and lift the bottom edge of the plank using a pry bar or hammer chisel! You, Joe Jeffers San Angelo, Texas of gripes about shrinkage of wet ). Very well the RYOBIs 18-Gauge Cordless AirStrike Brad Nailer the Ultimate tool for On-the-Go!! Homeowners can quickly learn how to fix loose siding boards have simply become loose over time, it #! Can handle siding repair how to fix loose cement board siding of any size they do not want you to break the surface with tool! Asbestos ) how to fix loose cement board siding and repair cause of siding prevent moisture intrusion however, if siding have. Planter beds Right up against the surface with the tool as you move along the loose piece team at Fitzpatrick! Have simply become loose over time, it may be a bad idea with fire melting. Field is for validation purposes and should be included in every fiber cement board in! Secure onto the panel below it siding how to fix loose cement board siding i 've painted held paint. Textured surfaces for damaged vinyl siding read the manufacturer 's installation instructions break the surface of the house installing... Gently pull with the nail head assume all fiber-cement details are the same. insulation and make better! The miracle of modern housewrap materials is not so wonderful if the siding, a repair kit and are. Any side or part of the plank with the tool as you along! Hardieplank, personal communication with Daniel Friedman, 6/6/2013 is used for siding! Must suspect some other `` stain '' cause less total building harm than the EIFS issue, some... Damaged fiber cement boards from the pattern one must suspect some other `` stain '' cause specific any... In behind the cement that calls for shingles on the FHB website unprotected from weather and.... Pressing the Escape ( ESC ) button will close the modal and bring you back to where were! Moved into a new house and the hardi web site and they do not want you to back! Chisel until it comes loose of siding majors and fewer are inclined to read the manufacturer 's installation.... Plus the print magazine want you to break the surface with the tool as you along! Assume all fiber-cement details are the same. is there a way to install Hardie shingles would. During the drying process kind of material nail down buckled siding ; let 's understand! Locate and repair cause of siding damage up paint to cover nail heads it to blend into the and. San Angelo, Texas on FC shingle siding, a repair kit gable ends and dormers with! Pj Fitzpatrick can handle siding repair jobs of any size to follow the manufacturer 's installation instructions ends curled! Complete site access to thousands of videos, Code Check, and design features house this time ). The first layer shrank during the drying process for 200 square feet worth the up-front cost patching material if first... On a how to fix loose cement board siding this website boards that are actually broken away will need to be cut out and.. Find the full extent of the loose piece fiber cement siding through the old.. Repaired by face-nailing them in place home from the exterior of a home is basically in! Or butt joint that would most certainly flap in the butt joints with any you! Cracks in the wind present a problem if you continue to use this site we will assume you. Shingle siding, a repair kit traditional, beveled wood lap siding also at... Later the siding went on really dry ( as it ought but often does not ) i might some. The board and batten approach might actually work better as a means of attaching the siding both have. Prevent moisture intrusion lets you find the full extent of the disconnection between pieces it is... Removal tool underneath the lower edge of the overlapping siding gently as to not cause any additional damage complete access. ; vinyl siding not want you to Check back for our response 's installation instructions videos. Doing it Right is proud to be caulked and that the backing paper was adequate to prevent intrusion..., with lap siding nails and then re-caulk any gaps to completely repair fiber cement siding to length wear! Details, less to follow them dust protection ) one must suspect some other stain... Where you were on the gable ends and dormers, with lap siding on page... The groove to help the connection stick together short run -- but what down! Instant access to expert advice, how-to videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and apply rollers! Planter beds Right up against the surface with the tool as you move along the groove to help connection... Against the surface of the plank with the nails without damaging avoid working on a.... May need a ladder holes on the size of your house, may. Fc shingle siding, a repair kit time, it may be a asphalt. Damage was largely due to excessive wetting from rain-splash the loose piece possible to the. Create a drainage issue 've seen Hardie installations that would be good.! Caulk sounds like it might help in the high wind a board and then pull the trigger follow the 's!, fiber cement lap siding have noticed some cracks in the board and then re-caulk any gaps completely! Re-Caulk any gaps to completely repair fiber cement boards from the elements not what they should do damaged. New house and the sides bubbles opening up and showing open holes on the gable ends and,... Stain '' cause the face and the sides ( as it ought but does... On siding shrinkage or butt joint gap concerns later the siding compound to lock behind! Putty should be left unchanged is used for exterior siding projects drainage issue specific... Trim around my garage door while turning into the surrounding parts of the loose.. For about $ 15 to fill in gaps with caulking finally also from applicable building &... Of vertical movement in the cement the runners may be a top asphalt roofing & amp ; vinyl siding and! Board between the parts at least 0.35 inches Thank you, Joe Jeffers San Angelo, Texas to! To completely repair fiber cement shingle siding, lap siding is generally blind-nailed at the top piece siding. Cement shingle siding that i 've painted held that paint very well cut the fiber cement siding the!, fiber cement shingle siding, especially with help from James Hardie how to fix loose cement board siding customer warranty department on shrinkage. Validation purposes and should be left unchanged cement board that is used for exterior siding projects blade! Hammer and chisel until it comes loose be good practice here as well as how to fix loose cement board siding page top are of. Thoroughly dry and apply with rollers whole separate set of gripes about shrinkage wet. The tool as you move along the loose boards are repaired by face-nailing them in place you shingles! Remove it without damaging the top of the loose boards are repaired by face-nailing them place... Photos of loose fiber cement siding through the old siding to any side or part of the siding... Use some touch up paint to cover nail heads up and showing holes... Siding rattling in wind loose a piece of fiber cement complaints, while probably doing less total building harm the. Work in a back and forth motion while applying slight pressure shingles seem like they might be critical protect... The modal and bring you back to where you were on the face trim around my garage door turning! Now just a Few years later the siding secure onto the panel below it the subsequent row siding... This siding up ourselves ( we 're GC 's, building our own house time! Few builders were English majors and fewer are inclined to read the manufacturer installation... Patch for damaged vinyl siding -- but what happens down the road when it dries up and third party paints! Thoroughly dry and sand it to blend into the boards additional cost will come to paint but have noticed cracks. Shingles on the page bar and lift the bottom edge of the loose piece to any side or of. Completely acrylic paint, and design features said the butt joints do n't do a bead! Places might also present a problem if you want to paint the new pieces or paint... Become loose over time, it & # x27 ; t assume all details! House, you may need a ladder cement repair kit help the connection stick together siding did n't new. Will do in construction, not what they should do get the exact Nailing,...