How To Keep Wood Siding From Cracing

The paint job on the replacement piece of siding will last a very long time if the painter can paint both the back and cut edges of the wood before it is installed.

How to keep wood siding from cracing.

Line up the ends and using the old piece as a guide mark the new clapboard with a utility knife. When wood siding is completely covered with paint water has a difficult time getting into the fibers. This article discusses the causes and cure of wood siding failures including when siding is installed over rigid foam insulation how to prevent siding cupping siding nail pops siding splitting siding separation or misalignment at butt joints and other wood clapboard and hardboard siding failures. If the siding is unpainted stick with epoxy filler it s.

Install exhaust fans in bathrooms. Sand the surfaces of the cracks if possible. Sand the surface of the siding at the area of the crack with a sanding block. Score the cut line with the utility knife guided by a square.

Place a full length piece of the damaged siding on the face of the replacement. This will prevent the wood from breathing the natural process by which the wood absorbs or releases moisture to match environmental conditions. Prolonged exposure to dry air is a major source of cracking in cedar. Add a covered entryway over doors to keep rain away from the doors.

Use a good dehumidifier in the basement or in any room of the house subject to high humidity. For cedar used indoors you can apply an impermeable coating of varnish or polyurethane to the wood. Use long horizontal strokes with the block instead of short vertical strokes. Use a putty knife to gouge out any rotten wood or loose debris in the crack.

Make sure to remove any loose debris and sanding residue before applying the filler. If the crack leaves deep crevices in the wall then it is best to fill the crack with epoxy or wood filler before painting. If you keep wood completely dry using this method it becomes dimensionally stable. Fill cracks in painted siding with either exterior acrylic latex caulk caulk or with epoxy wood filler which is a better choice.