How To Replace Rotted Lap Siding

Blind nail the fiber cement siding in place starting with the bottom piece.

How to replace rotted lap siding.

Consider replacing rotted areas with fiber cement siding. Pull loose nails from clapboard siding. Remove any nails from the top piece of good siding. Hardboard lap siding has been used on homes for years because it mimics the look of wood siding but is much less expensive.

Rotten hardboard siding before replacement with fiber cement siding. A single rotted clapboard can usually be replaced by the homeowner or the commercial maintenance crew by using the old rotted clapboard as a measurement board for the new siding plank. Cut the fiber cement siding to length wear approved dust protection. Tap flat bar under siding to loosen nails.

One of the disadvantages of hardboard siding is that exposure to water can cause it to deteriorate over time. Use a pry bar to remove the damaged siding. Thinner than most hardboard but it works in many cases has a comparable cost is highly rot resistant and carries a 50 year warranty. In a pinch you can wrap duct tape around the bottom of a hacksaw blade to protect your hand and use it to cut through the nails.

Secure old siding by driving ring shank nails down at an angle through the old nail holes. In this video this old house general contractor tom silva explains how to repair clapboards. How to repair old rotting wood trim or siding. Specifically he shows every step in how to remove old.