James Hardie fiber cement siding is known for its low maintenance, beauty, and longevity. But “low maintenance” doesn’t mean “no maintenance.” When it comes to siding upkeep, knowing what to do, when to do it, and what not to do are vital keys to your Hardie siding’s long-term performance.
Hardie siding and trim are known to last up to 50 years when they are well maintained and installed properly.
Let’s dive into the simple steps to take in order to keep your fiber cement siding in tip-top shape—maximizing its looks, and minimizing any need for siding repairs or early replacement.
Maintain Your Hardie Siding and Trim to Ensure High Performance and Longevity
1. Wash Your Siding Every 6-12 Months
Using a garden hose and a soft medium bristle nylon siding cleaning brush to wash your siding. Remove dirt and debris with a side-to-side motion—in the direction of your siding planks. Avoid the use of a power washer on your siding as this could damage it. For stubborn dirt, use a mild detergent on the discolored area and rinse thoroughly.
For nicked-up ColorPlus technology (factory applied) paint, as long as the marred area is smaller than a dime, use the ColorPlus Touch-up Kit to cover any nicks or scrapes that appear over time. If the affected area is larger than a dime, replace the damaged siding with a new ColorPlus plank.
Note: If you don’t follow James Hardie’s guidelines for cleaning, and damage occurs to your siding and trim as a result, it may not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
2. Install Gutters and Downspouts
If your house doesn’t have a gutter system, installing one will help protect your siding. Why? Because gutters channel water away from your home so it doesn’t seep into siding, roofing, and pool around your home’s perimeter—putting your foundation at risk.
3. Keep Your Gutters Clean and Free of Debris and Clogs
Clogged gutters are a hazard to your siding and roofing. If debris, leaves, twigs, bird nests (or stray fly balls!) get caught in your gutters, water will overflow into your siding, up under your roofing shingles, and onto the ground surrounding your home. This can cause moisture intrusion in a number of unwanted places—including your siding—costing you time and money (and hassles!) to resolve. Avoid gutter issues by either cleaning your gutters a few times a year, or installing gutter guards to shield gutters from gathering debris and creating problematic clogs.
4. Trim Your Trees, Shrubs, and Bushes Away from Your Siding
When tree limbs reach your siding and brush up against them repeatedly, it can scrape off your exterior’s paint and cause siding to become compromised—making your home vulnerable to damaging moisture intrusion. Likewise, if shrubs or bushes that surround your home are not kept at least six inches away from your siding, they can create the same moisture issue problems for your home siding. Avoid these difficulties by trimming trees, shrubs, and bushes away from your home and keeping a significant clearance around your exterior.
5. Keep Sprinkler Systems Away from Your Siding
Adjust your sprinkler system so it doesn’t excessively spray on your home’s siding or soak the ground around your exterior’s perimeter. Homeowners who repeatedly soak their siding may end up unknowingly encouraging mold and mildew growth. Adjust your sprinkler head to avoid hitting your house to keep damage at bay.
6. Don’t Fill Landscaping Up to Your Siding
Prevent siding problems by making sure there are adequate ground clearances and drainage slopes around your home’s perimeter. Six inches is a safe minimum. This helps prevent siding deterioration, moisture intrusion, and pest entry.
7. If You Painted Your Hardie Siding and Trim—Follow Manufacturer’s Guidelines for Touch-Ups
If you opted to install pre-primed boards, find the paint you applied, and follow the manufacturer’s tips on touch-ups and paint reapplication. You could cause unnecessary damage if you don’t. Also, don’t use stains or oil-based paint on Hardie siding and trim products.
8. Keep an Eye on Your Siding’s Caulk
A few times a year, inspect your siding to see if it needs any new caulking. Areas of concern include penetrations, flashings, plank and trim connections, and between plank joints. Reapply caulk when it shows signs of wear and tear. This will help prevent water from getting into your exterior wall. Note: When you purchase caulking, look for one that says “permanently flexible.”
9. Attend to Minor Surface Damage Promptly
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your siding well is to attend to any problems promptly. In the rare case that your Hardie siding dents, chips, or cracks in any way, fill it with a cementitious patching compound to reseal your home’s protective layer (and prevent pest entry, moisture intrusion, and mold growth).
10. Repaint Your Home as Needed to Maintain Its Looks
If you had ColorPlus products installed, they should be repainted every 15 years to keep your home looking fabulous and your property value up. If you painted your house after installing pre-primed boards, check the manufacturer’s recommendations for how soon you need to repaint. In general, a high-quality 100% acrylic exterior house paint should last from 5-15 years on fiber cement that is properly primed at the factory.
Get Gorgeous James Hardie Siding Installed on Your California Home
Worn-out siding makes your home look unappealing and leaves it open to damaging moisture intrusion. Boost your curb appeal with stunning, stylish Hardie siding and trim.
At Approved Contractor, we are a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor, so we install your siding right the first time and ensure your outstanding 30-year transferable warranty is honored. Learn more about how our James Hardie siding services can deliver the low maintenance exterior you’ve been dreaming of, so you have more time to do the things you love most.
