Fiber cement question

[TrudgingAlong]

We have a section of fiber cement siding that appears to be swelling by the nail heads and pulling back from the wall. It was installed vertically, and this is a section on the corner. The damage goes about halfway up the plank, starting at the bottom.

What needs to be done? Total replacement, or something less dramatic? Trying to decide if we need to find a siding repair place or diy. It's on the back of the house, so I'm okay with a not pretty job as long as it keeps water from entering the house.

[bacchi]

To understand, you have a FC plank installed vertically? Why is there so much water penetration? Is it well caulked? Is there a gap at the top that lets water behind it? Is there a trim piece or batten installed on the vertical seam(s)?

Without seeing a picture, it sounds like you'll need to remove and replace because you'll need to examine what's going on behind the swelling FC. I'd be worried about the sheathing and studs.

[TrudgingAlong]

Sorry had trouble loading the pics with the first post. Hopefully these work.

[TrudgingAlong]

It doesn't look very caulked. When we bought the house in Jan, it did look like it had swelled at some point and was possibly painted over. It looked attached to the house, though. I was outside today and noticed it looks much worse than before. All the siding is vertically attached, not the horizontal lapped stuff.

[john6221]

Just from this picture it looks like improper installation with an over-driven nail that is placed too close to the edge.

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[TrudgingAlong]

Just from this picture it looks like improper installation with an over-driven nail that is placed too close to the edge.

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Ok, that's helpfu, thanks! Solution replacement?

[john6221]

Just zooming in on the pic...are you sure it's fiber cement? The split part looks brown on the inside. Is it LP Smartside?

In any case, yes, replacement is the only way to properly fix it. But since it's on the end, you'll also have to pull off that piece of trim.

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[Papa bear]

From those pictures, it looks like T1-11 siding to me.  The nails would have split the plywood where the T&G end of the board is.


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[TrudgingAlong]

To be honest, I have no idea if I'm right; just going by what they told us. I could definitely be wrong.

[TrudgingAlong]

From those pictures, it looks like T1-11 siding to me.  The nails would have split the plywood where the T&G end of the board is.


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I looked this up and this siding looks exactly like what is on our house. There are a few sections of lap fiber cement, and I think I misunderstood them when they were talking about siding. I looked up some YouTube videos and replacing one sections doesn't actually look very hard. I have some basic woodworking skills and a friend with even more skills to help. We have one contractor coming tomorrow, but not sure they will be willing to do this. I'm finding most people here are unwilling to take on small siding repair jobs, so we may be forced to tackle this ourselves, anyway, unless we want to replace all the siding on the back of the house. Any advice related to this I should know before considering a diy approach?

[Papa bear]

I personally only like T1-11 siding for outbuildings like sheds (that's what I used), as the t1-11 is also my exterior sheathing.

If it were my house, and it was an issue with water getting in the house, and not just aesthetic, I would add a house wrap (like tyvek) and side over the t1-11 with vinyl. But that's me and not everyone would agree with that =). 

Though, if it's not causing any issues, why replace?


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[Cadman]

Real T1-11 siding is 100% wood throughout and wouldn't behave this way (it'll curl, it'll check, but it won't swell like this). Cement siding, even when submerged in water, won't do this either. I'm going with the poster above suggesting it's LP Smart Siding. The embossed texture is the giveaway. You can pick up fresh sheets of it at the local box store, seal the edges well before installation and call it good.

[TrudgingAlong]

I personally only like T1-11 siding for outbuildings like sheds (that's what I used), as the t1-11 is also my exterior sheathing.

If it were my house, and it was an issue with water getting in the house, and not just aesthetic, I would add a house wrap (like tyvek) and side over the t1-11 with vinyl. But that's me and not everyone would agree with that =). 

Though, if it's not causing any issues, why replace?


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I only want to replace the one swollen panel, not the entire siding because the rest looks fine (with one possible exception on the other corner as the trim seems to be pulling away from the house, but no visible swelling). It looks a lot worse than a few months ago, so I'm concerned we have a brewing problem. We live in the PNW, so water is a major concern 6 months of the year.