Repairing Hardboard Lap Siding
If needed replace the sheathing behind the siding using 1 2 plywood covered with builder s felt or housewrap.
Repairing hardboard lap siding. Using a paintbrush apply two coats of exterior house paint over the putty to hide the repair. Check the siding panel for molds holes or any damage. Score down the damaged lap siding with a utility knife. Remove the nails on the lap board then use the claw of the hammer to split the board down the center image 1.
Cut the fiber cement siding to length. I used a ryobi jobplus to score ours. If there s a chance to use a power tool i might as well once it s cut you ll simply begin prying away the broken piece. Cut fiber cement siding.
Remove the deteriorated hardboard siding using a pry bar and chisel being careful not to damage the good siding above it. Repair the siding remove the nails in the corner cap. The siding panels nearest to the ground are usually the first to mold. How to remove and replace siding.
This is most common on the bottom few courses near the foundation. Paint the dried putty to match the hardboard siding. Once the nails are out place the pry bar beneath the damaged section carefully and cut the nails at the back of the siding with a reciprocating saw. If you can see black marks or streaks anywhere on your masonite siding it is a sure sign of being compromised by water.
Let each coat of paint dry individually as instructed by the manufacturer. Hardboard lap siding has been used on homes for years because it mimics the look of wood siding but is much less expensive. One of the disadvantages of hardboard siding is that exposure to water can cause it to deteriorate over time. To remove the old siding simply score or cut away any old caulk or paint that might be in the joints.
You might notice bulging along the bottom edges a loose layer or soft.