28 year exterior trim carpenter here. I have installed more of this siding than I care to say. (Ohio)This is a installation problem. 3 things cause this. 1 not breaking the seams on studs to support them. 2 nails sank to deep into siding blowing the back out and coming loose later. 3 the installer nailed to close to the top cracking it and allowing it to fall off later there is a dotted line that shows you how far down to nail on each piece. Seen these things many times. The only real fix is either face nail it to death and deal with all the ugly nails or tear off and replace probably most or the the whole house. Hope this helps someone.
That powdering paint is called oxidization. Everything painted will need to be repainted. A lot of tech coming out to help Hardie planks do better. Regardless, it still beats vinyl siding, wood siding, everything but maybe block, solid brick, or stone. peace
I am really sorry for the owner of this house. This is not a Product issue, it is an installation and paint-job issue (this is why there's outdoor paints and some better than others). Cement board siding 101: Don't nail high, butt-join on studs. These things are way too expensive for installers to do this to home owners. Now, your method of fixing also sound problematic: To save this homeowner money on a project they probably already spent a lot on and got crappy install, Face-nail bottom below it. Not pretty but better than trying to rip out expensive boards. If as you say this install is less than 10 years old, those caulks are the wrong ones + nailing were probably not on studs which resulted in the excessive movements at joint. A well-done Hardie siding should not be problematic for at least 20+ years. No, I don't work for Hardie.
Great video from one painter to another! My experience is that since it was sold as “maintenance free” that it wad often painted with a low grade paint that lacked decent UV resistance. I’m curious about the broken nail flange though. Are you seeing most of those on 2 story homes with “Bildrite” sheathing?
Unfortunately, James Hardie is not Concrete. James Hardie siding is a composition of Portland Cement, Water, Pulp and other trade secrets. By definition, Concrete is made of Portland Cement, Water, Sand and Rock.
PAINT IS NOT CEMENT, it will fade ,crack, and chalk up after 20 years ,just like the rest of the paints out there. Even car paint with a clear coat will do the same.
We filed a claim against Hardie Board for the exact same faults as shown in your video. They have rejected our claim saying it was not material failure but installation failure. Two other houses in our small subdivision filed claims and their claims were accepted. I will be following up with Hardie Board because I feel it is their responsibility, they rejected my claim just two days ago. Almost every house in the neighborhood, only about 15/20 shows the failure of the paint. I was so hopeful for a moment that you were in Flordad so I could have you come out and do the work!! We're in the Sarasota area of Florida - want to go to the beach?
We live in Wisconsin. We replaced an entire side of our home which gets the most sun with all new fiber cement siding that company gave to us. We only did it a few years ago & already there are up & down cracks on some boards. How disappointing. My husband did a ton of research beforehand. Any idea? Thanks!
28 year exterior trim carpenter here. I have installed more of this siding than I care to say. (Ohio)This is a installation problem. 3 things cause this. 1 not breaking the seams on studs to support them. 2 nails sank to deep into siding blowing the back out and coming loose later. 3 the installer nailed to close to the top cracking it and allowing it to fall off later there is a dotted line that shows you how far down to nail on each piece. Seen these things many times. The only real fix is either face nail it to death and deal with all the ugly nails or tear off and replace probably most or the the whole house. Hope this helps someone.
Hardi Board Is Great ! Built My Own House 20Yrs Ago Still Looks Great!!! Same Paint too.
These issues are caused by incorrect installation. When installed according to James Hardie specs, the siding will not fail.
That powdering paint is called oxidization. Everything painted will need to be repainted. A lot of tech coming out to help Hardie planks do better. Regardless, it still beats vinyl siding, wood siding, everything but maybe block, solid brick, or stone. peace
Thanks for the advice. Just installed Hardie Plank, and now I know what to keep an eye out for.
I am really sorry for the owner of this house. This is not a Product issue, it is an installation and paint-job issue (this is why there's outdoor paints and some better than others). Cement board siding 101: Don't nail high, butt-join on studs. These things are way too expensive for installers to do this to home owners. Now, your method of fixing also sound problematic: To save this homeowner money on a project they probably already spent a lot on and got crappy install, Face-nail bottom below it. Not pretty but better than trying to rip out expensive boards. If as you say this install is less than 10 years old, those caulks are the wrong ones + nailing were probably not on studs which resulted in the excessive movements at joint. A well-done Hardie siding should not be problematic for at least 20+ years. No, I don't work for Hardie.
Did siding job on my home myself......siding doesn't break.with time. Bad nailing and improper plank installation does.
Great video from one painter to another! My experience is that since it was sold as “maintenance free” that it wad often painted with a low grade paint that lacked decent UV resistance. I’m curious about the broken nail flange though. Are you seeing most of those on 2 story homes with “Bildrite” sheathing?
Having too many joints line up gives the job a poor look.
How does a nail hidden behind the flange break down due to sun?
So, there are serious paint job problems, would the painter warranty his job?
How do you know it's Hardie?
Unfortunately, James Hardie is not Concrete. James Hardie siding is a composition of Portland Cement, Water, Pulp and other trade secrets. By definition, Concrete is made of Portland Cement, Water, Sand and Rock.
PAINT IS NOT CEMENT, it will fade ,crack, and chalk up after 20 years ,just like the rest of the paints out there. Even car paint with a clear coat will do the same.
Hi Garrett,
We filed a claim against Hardie Board for the exact same faults as shown in your video. They have rejected our claim saying it was not material failure but installation failure. Two other houses in our small subdivision filed claims and their claims were accepted. I will be following up with Hardie Board because I feel it is their responsibility, they rejected my claim just two days ago. Almost every house in the neighborhood, only about 15/20 shows the failure of the paint. I was so hopeful for a moment that you were in Flordad so I could have you come out and do the work!! We're in the Sarasota area of Florida - want to go to the beach?
I didn’t think you should caulk the end joints on hardie siding. A gap should be left and the cut end painted to protect and allow
OXIDATION....THRU UV RAYS
How to fix the noise problem when my hardie siding rattles with heavy wind?
We live in Wisconsin. We replaced an entire side of our home which gets the most sun with all new fiber cement siding that company gave to us. We only did it a few years ago & already there are up & down cracks on some boards. How disappointing. My husband did a ton of research beforehand. Any idea? Thanks!