Repairing Hardboard Lap Siding

Promptly repair holes in masonite hardboard to prevent moisture from further permeating the siding and compromising its structural integrity.

Repairing hardboard lap siding.

Remove the siding panel that is damage and install a fresh hardboard siding panel. Thick so set your blade depth carefully to avoid cutting into other courses. Use a 4 foot level to check and then hammer in another nail. Be sure to stagger the joints see photo 1.

Check the siding panel for molds holes or any damage. You might notice bulging along the bottom edges a loose layer or soft. Besides painting the siding can also be scrubbed for cleaning purposes. If you re replacing more than one board in a run simply hammer a nail into the top corner to support it and then move half way down the board.

Make sure to scrub only the compromised area of the siding so that the structure remains unaffected. Finish the cut with a sharp utility knife. If needed replace the sheathing behind the siding using 1 2 plywood covered with builder s felt or housewrap. The siding panels nearest to the ground are usually the first to mold.

Remove the deteriorated hardboard siding using a pry bar and chisel being careful not to damage the good siding above it. If you can see black marks or streaks anywhere on your masonite siding it is a sure sign of being compromised by water. Use shims to lift the boards so you can easily get at the one you re cutting. Immediately fill holes with a flexible all purpose filler such as pre mixed bridging and patching compound following label directions.

Holes are a prominent problem with masonite siding. Be sure the top one goes through both boards. Fortunately you can repair masonite hardboard siding with wood putty. Repairing hardboard siding if water seeps into joints between hardboard panels or penetrates through small holes it will cause the panels to deteriorate.

Then hammer away on the rest of the board.