Should Hardie board be loose?

If you have loose HardiePlank siding on your home, it is important to fix it. Loose siding can leave your home unprotected from weather and insects. HardiePlank is fastened to the home by either blind nailing or face nailing.

How do you fix saggy Hardie board?

You can easily fix it by cleaning it and then using caulk to patch the gap. “And it may take time to see it appear, so you won't know right away,” Jamie reads. When siding shrinks it causes a gap to form between the planks. The best way to fix these gaps is to clean the joint and then patch it with caulk.

Does Hardie board sag?

Long-lasting

James Hardie® fiber cement siding resists moisture damage, swelling and rot. It is also more resistant to bending, sagging, dents and damage than vinyl siding.

Should Hardie board have gaps?

Gaps: Hardie boards should be joined in “moderate contact”. This means that the boards should be touching each other when they are installed. There is no need to leave a gap for expansion.

What is the best way to fasten Hardie board?

You can use corrosion-resistant screws, or you can use stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized nails. You can nail the siding by either blind nailing it at the top or face nailing it at the bottom. It's best to use siding nails for face nailing or roofing nails for blind nailing.

3 Common Installation Issues with James Hardie Siding

Do you nail or screw Hardie board?

Fasten HardieBacker sheets with proper nails or screws (as listed in ''Materials Required'' in the backer installation instructions) every 8'' around the perimeter and all supporting studs. Keep fasteners between 3/8'' and 3/4'' from sheet edges and 2'' in from sheet corners.

Can you use screws for Hardie board siding?

Yes, you can drive screws into the Hardie board if you use suitable screws. Hardie Board requires using specific screws to work effectively. For best results, use ribbed stainless steel screws with wafer-head.

Does cement board siding expand and contract?

Fiber cement boards don't expand and contract much, but leave a little room for expansion at the end joints and then fill the gap with caulk.

Does cement board siding shrink?

YES, all Fiber Cement Siding will shrink.

Does Hardie board crack?

Because Hardie siding is so stiff any movement of the house can cause cracks in the siding which are typical of any rigid masonry product.

Why is my cement board siding cracking?

While fiber-cement is one of the most durable exterior siding materials, it can still crack on occasion. Sometimes cracks are caused by incorrect siding installation. Other times, cracks crop up due to exposure to the elements.

How often does hardiplank need to be replaced?

When it comes to longevity, James Hardie siding is similar to brick or stone, and should last the life of your home. James Hardie fiber cement has a 30-year non-prorated, transferable warranty which demonstrates how sure they are about the long life of this amazing siding material.

When should I replace hardiplank?

Normal siding needs to be repainted once every 5 to 7 years, but James Hardie siding is made from fiber cement and doesn't need to be repainted quite so often– a paint cycle can last as long as 12 years, and the paint prefinished James Hardy siding is warranted for 15 years.

Do you caulk the bottom of Hardie siding?

James Hardie DOES NOT recommend using caulk or “H”-jointers for the butt joints of HardiePlank® siding with ColorPlus® technology. James Hardie also DOES NOT recommend applying caulk to the horizontal overlap between siding planks (see Figure 2).

How do you stop Hardie siding from rattling?

The best solution is to go plank by plank and nail the sections that feel loose. Lightly tug at each plank. If it can easily lift up or bounce then it is too loose. You may need to remove a few boards and re-hang them properly if you notice they aren't aligned with the surrounding siding anymore.

Can Hardie board siding be glued?

Hardie Planks resist staining, mold and other damage, making them resilient for use in the home. Hardie Plank can be used as a flooring option over a plywood subfloor, with thinset as the glue to hold it securely in place.

Do you leave a gap between Hardie board siding?

Run the siding to the HardieTrim® board leaving a 1/8 in. gap between the siding and trim. The bottom of the siding should be kept even with the bottom of the trim, or if desired, the trim may extend below the bottom of the siding. But the siding should never hang below the trim.

What was the main problem with fiber cement board siding?

Cutting fiber cement siding generates respirable crystalline silica, a known human carcinogen. Inhaling too much silica can lead to silicosis, lung cancer, and COPD.

Does cement board siding need to be caulked?

APPLICATION: General: James Hardie believes it is good building practice to seal the joints to prevent moisture, such as wind-driven rain and snow, from penetrating the wall cavity. Caulking around windows, doors, eaves and trim edges gives added insurance that leaks will not occur.

Can squirrels chew through Hardie board?

Thankfully, James Hardie siding offers superior resistance to damage from woodpeckers, squirrels, and other pests. As it turns out, fiber cement siding does not entice critters and won't be eaten by termites. No matter what your design style, the wide range of James Hardie siding selections complement any home.

Does Hardie siding need to be nailed into studs?

Building codes will usually require installing siding over water-resistant barriers and nailed into the studs every 16 or 24 inches.

Can you pressure wash Hardie board?

The manufacturer recommends that you do not pressure wash your Hardie siding. The hard spray of water from the power washer can damage the surface of the siding. In fact, pressure washing fiber cement siding is one of the only ways you can damage this durable type of siding.

Do screws hold in cement board?

Cement board attached to plywood or similar underlayment will hold with only 1 1/4-inch screws; for thick or heavy metal fixtures, use 1 5/8-inch screws. In general, 1 1/2-inch galvanized nails will hold the board firmly in place.

Do you need to pre drill cement board?

If you are using a smaller board where there is no center screw you should start with a screw near the middle of the sheet. You must pre-drill holes in the material before attaching the screws.

What type of screws do you use for Hardie board?

James Hardie recommends 1-1/4'' long galvanized or STAINLESS steel roofing nails or 1-1/4'' long ribbed waferhead screws in compliance with the tile industry. It is 8-18 x 3/8'' HD.