The siding on your home is one of the first things that any visitor or passerby will notice, so maintaining it and spotting unexpected rots is crucial. It would be beneficial if you learn how to discover the warning signs of any siding problems as this can help you make the necessary repairs early, saving you on costs.


If some of your sidings are experiencing an unexpected rot, do not worry. At blur roofing, we are committed to offering you quality and affordable roofing, siding, and windows solutions that are all personalized to your situation. 


How to Repair Wood Siding


In most cases, when a hardboard siding is installed in your home, and you take the necessary steps to maintain it, it will serve you for 30 or even 40 years. However, if you do not carry out regular inspections and maintenance, isolated areas of the siding can begin to rot, especially near the foundation of your house. This is because the siding on this area is low to the ground, making it vulnerable to water that splashes from the ground. Consequently, the paper face may flake off to expose the dark brown innermost layers. These layers then become soaked in water, accelerating the process of rotting.


Replacing these rotted parts under the existing siding as our dedicated team will follow these simple steps:


  • Examine the boards. You will first need to figure out which boards need to be replaced and where you should make your cuts. Remember that a fireboard is an extremely rare non-structural substrate that is not capable of supporting the weight of James Hardie products; if discovered, it must be replaced.

  • Cut the nails. At this point, you should cut the nails at the bottom of the row just above the boards you intend to replace. Cutting the nails will allow you to remove the rotten boards without inadvertently damaging the boards that you want to stay in place.

  • Make the initial cut using a circular saw. You will cut out the rotten section under the existing siding in this step. Ensure that you also stagger the joints while at this.

  • Complete the cut using a sharp utility knife. You will not be able to finish the stakes with a circular saw, so the sharp utility knife will come in handy to complete the job.

  • Remove the rotten boards. Use a flat pry bar to remove the rotten boards.

  • Install the new boards. When doing this, try to use a ‘reveal set’ jig to match the reveal of the siding that was already in place. A good way of replacing the siding is to work your way from the bottom up.