How To Repair Hardie Board Siding

Homeowners throughout the Gulf South are all probable wondering how to repair James Hardie siding . When it comes to heating and cooling costs, resilience to tempest impairment, and all-circular aesthetic appeal, James Hardie siding is the superior choice beyond the board. In the backwash of recent weather events, and with many homeowners and contractors taking advantage of the cooler atmospheric condition to undertake some crucial and overdue home repairs, many residents of the South are looking at damage from tree-limbs, and wondering how to repair James Hardie siding.

Whether y'all're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or somebody who is pretty inexperienced with dwelling house repairs and maintenance tasks, there'due south no reason why you can't figure out how to repair James Hardie siding yourself, without involving outside contractors. In order to larn the nuts of this essential part of homeownership, keep reading and y'all'll be able to go to grips with the fundamental techniques, tools and pitfalls.

How to Repair James Hardie Siding: An Overview

Like any domicile maintenance job, siding repair is best left to an external contractor who has years or decades of experience working with dissimilar types of siding and tools used. A seasoned carpenter or contractor will approach the task differently from a showtime timer, and their experience volition mean a repair job that non but looks good, just will stand up to years of harsh weather conditions and even knocks and strikes from soccer balls, tree limbs and fifty-fifty clumsy humans passing by. That said, if you're determined to make the fixes yourself, you'll be pleased to detect that learning how to repair James Hardie siding is one of the less complicated tasks effectually the house.

Knowing When to Replace, and When to Caulk

James Hardie siding is stronger than Vinyl siding and older forest-based siding boards, simply 1 weakness is that  it tin can be breakable while the other types tin generally withstand knocking and striking without condign chipped. Cement-board-based products are fairly rigid, and every bit such, susceptible to breaking off in chunks or peachy, rather than being able to resist fractures like more pliable materials. If a chunk is taken out of your siding board, you should be able to patch it up with a number of products, including outside caulking.

If yous choose to go downwardly this road, exist sure to apply the caulking on a cooler, dry day. If the atmospheric condition is also hot or wet, y'all'll meet difficulties with the product drying either besides quickly or too slowly, both of which will cause bug in the long term. Later on you've applied the caulking and smoothed off any excess, wait for at least 24 hours to see if whatever shrinkage has occurred as a upshot of the caulking drying out. If it has, be sure to apply more in the gaps, and await some other 24 hours before painting. Don't be tempted to paint the caulking before it has taken the time information technology needs to dry, or you lot'll seal in the moisture, causing bug later.

That said, sometimes it is pretty clear that you'll need to replace an entire board, or fifty-fifty several. If that is the instance, phone call a professional because the chore is likely likewise big for one person to handle.

Tools to Repair James Hardie Siding

Although when people talk most this chemical element of abode maintenance they discuss 'repair' work, if your cement-board siding is damaged, you'll need to replace, rather than repair, the affected area. To cease removing the damaged office, you'll likely only need a pry bar and a hammer. That said, cement-board siding is typically fastened to the plywood underneath using stainless steel brads , which need to be pulled out individually with a smaller estimate pry-bar or cobblers' pliers. To cut the new siding boards to size, apply a skill-saw with a special four-tooth bract designed for cutting cement-board, equally well as saw-horses to work on. Should yous need to rip whatever boards lengthways, a table-saw will be required, with the aforementioned four-tooth bract.

You'll need a trim gun for fastening to the boards themselves, and a small compressor to power the gun, every bit well as brusk brads. Exist sure to purchase or use nails that are short enough that they won't penetrate the plywood and hit electrical or water lines, and for the same reason, cheque that the pressure isn't too high on your compressor. As with any structure task, safety is paramount, and to protect your eyes, lungs, and hands, be sure to apply safety glasses, gloves, and a adept quality mask. To avoid inhaling excessive particles, cut the boards bated, and in the issue that y'all're working off the ground, always follow ladder safety best practices. Make certain that your working area is well lit and level, and gratuitous from potential trip hazards.

What You Need To Know Well-nigh How To Repair James Hardie Siding

Using a pry-bar and hammer, remove the damaged length or lengths of siding, and discard them. Be certain to work on a day when pelting is unlikely, and if you can have a friend or family member assist you with the project information technology is probable to get more smoothly and chop-chop. Practice your best to avoid scratching or chipping the other siding boards during this process, and in one case you've finished extracting the damaged boards, be sure to pull out every nail that remains in the plywood, bearing in mind that some may be backside remaining boards, or in difficult to attain locations.

Take precise measurements for the new board you'll exist fitting, and and so carefully cut to size a fresh lath using the special saw bract and your saw tables. It is besides worth begetting in mind that siding boards are tricky to pick up, as they are only bendy along ane vector. They tin snap easily, and need to be supported. Once the boards are fitted, be sure to caulk whatever nail holes and the gaps between boards, bearing in listen that shrinkage may crave a further application of caulking. 24 hours after the final caulking application, seal the caulking with a coat of pigment.

Keep in mind that when learning how to repair James Hardie siding by yourself, you may encounter some trouble. If you do, Acadian Windows is here to assist.

For Siding Installation, Repair or Replacement, Contact Acadian Windows

Hither at Acadian Window and Siding, nosotros specialize in siding work, in particular the installation and replacement of cobweb-cement siding board siding similar James Hardie. Taking pride in all elements of the job, from hiring the most skilled and professional installation experts to working with only the all-time supplies in the Gulf Coast region, Acadian Window is proud to be the region's number ane siding business firm. Make contact today to arrange a consultation or site visit.

Source: https://acadianwindows.com/blog/siding/how-to-repair-james-hardie-siding/

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