3 Ways To Maintain James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding is one of the most low-maintenance siding types available. Because it’s incredibly durable and weather-resistant, it requires little care over the years.

This makes it a long-term siding solution that you won’t have to worry about constantly spending excessive time and money on maintenance. 

But, even the most low-maintenance things in life still require a little TLC every once in a while. 

James Hardie fiber cement siding is more expensive than other siding types because of its high quality. If you invest in this type of siding, you want to make sure you will reap the benefits for as long as possible.

So, whether you’re thinking about replacing your current siding with Hardie siding or you’ve had it on your home for a few years now, you want to know how you can take care of it to increase its lifespan. 

At Southwest Exteriors, we exclusively install James Hardie siding because of its many benefits. We’ve been a siding replacement contractor in San Antonio since 1989, and we’ve installed Hardie siding on many homes since then. 

While it is a durable, low-maintenance, and long-lasting siding type, it still needs some care throughout the years to keep it fresh and high-performing. 

We want you to have the right information to care for your siding right to keep it healthy and ensure it lasts. 

This article will outline three ways to maintain your James Hardie siding and some best practices to inspect it for potential issues. 

After reading, you will know how to take care of your siding to keep it looking brand new. This will also help you identify any problems before they become too large to handle, so you won’t have to spend money to repair or replace your siding. 

How can I maintain my James Hardie fiber cement siding? 3 ways

As we already alluded to in the introduction of this article, fiber cement siding is one of the most low-maintenance siding types available. 

James Hardie siding products are made with Portland cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers for strength. 

Their siding is also made with performance additives that make it: 

• Non-combustible when exposed to fire

• Resistant to moisture and rot

• Unable for critters to infest

• Termite-resistant

• Able to withstand any climate

So, the material of Hardie siding largely contributes to how little maintenance is required. 

However, you can still do a few things to care for your siding and help make it last. Let’s look more into how you can care for your Hardie siding. 

1. Washing James Hardie siding 

The first way to care for your Hardie siding is to wash it every so often, like once every year or two. Washing the siding will eliminate any dirt and grime that has accumulated. 

The easiest way to do this is with a pressure washing machine. While hosing it down will help to loosen the dirt, the force of the water from a pressure washer will take the dirt off. 

You can also wash the siding with a softer scrubbing tool and some soap for stubborn areas that a pressure washer won't fix. The more often you wash your siding, the easier it will be. 

Think about it - how often do you wash your car? Maybe you have a car wash membership you frequent weekly, or maybe you have a reminder to wash it every month or so. 

Imagine how often we wash our cars and how dirty your fiber cement siding can get as time passes without washing it.

2. Trimming trees and shrubs that may touch the Hardie siding

The second best way you can care for your Hardie siding is to monitor and trim any trees, shrubs, or plants that may be brushing against the siding. 

The reason this is a way to maintain your siding is that if heavy or sharp branches are constantly blowing in the wind, scraping against the siding, it can scratch the paint and the siding board. 

While, yes, you can get your siding repainted in the future if need be, it will cost you. Why not take precautions against potential foreseen costs while you can? 

Heavy branches and trees can also potentially damage the siding boards and cause them to crack, chip, or break off. This will then cause you to have your siding repaired. 

3. Ensuring there are no water leakages around the siding

The third way you can maintain your siding is by ensuring there is no water leaking around or on the siding. This could come from any spigots, hoses, or even a leaky sprinkler constantly hitting the siding. 

While Hardie siding is moisture and rot resistant, hard water can cause discoloration in the paint and boards if constantly leaking onto the siding. Hard water stains come from excess magnesium and calcium in the water. 

This buildup, when left unattended, will get harder and harder to remove the longer it’s there. So, protect your Hardie siding by ensuring there are no leaking water faucets around your home. 

How often should I inspect my James Hardie siding? 

You should inspect your home’s siding routinely once a year. Simply walk around the exterior of your home to make sure there are no damaged areas of your siding. 

You also want to look around the soffit, fascia, trim, and roofline, as these areas are most threatened by rotting and critter infestation. (While, yes, Hardie siding is made to not be appealing to animals and critters, if it isn’t installed properly, they can make their way into your siding.)

Walking around your home routinely will allow you to spot any problem areas and know whether you need to provide some care or not. Maybe you’ll notice some heavy branches scraping the siding or a faucet in your backyard continuously dripping down the siding. 

The more often and regularly you inspect and care for your Hardie siding, the fewer issues, if any, you will run into in the future. If anything has become damaged or needs maintenance, the longer it goes unfixed, the more effort it will take to fix it. 

Is James Hardie fiber cement siding worth it? 

Yes, James Hardie fiber cement siding is worth considering as an option for your home's siding. It is a highly durable material that is resistant to damage from moisture, fire, pests, and rot. It also has a long lifespan and requires relatively low maintenance compared to other types of siding. Additionally, it is available in a variety of styles and colors to suit different home designs. While it may be more expensive upfront compared to some other types of siding, the long-term benefits and durability of James Hardie fiber cement siding make it a worthwhile investment for many homeowners.

What type of siding requires the least amount of maintenance?

Caring for your James Hardie siding to ensure it lasts

Now you know three ways you can take care of your James Hardie siding and how often you should inspect it. 

Although James Hardie is practically maintenance-free, these tips will help ensure your siding will stay fresh and can help increase its longevity. 

Inspecting your home every year will allow you to notice any problems areas that may need some maintenance or even repair. It’s important to check up on your siding, just like your health, to address any problems before they get too serious and cost you more time, money, and effort. 

With Southwest Exteriors, we want you to have all the information you need to know what maintenance may be required for your new siding and how you can take care of it. 

Because we offer James Hardie siding and know what it's worth, we want you to get the most out of your Hardie siding replacement. And you want to ensure your investment will provide what you’ve heard it will. 

So, if you’re thinking about investing in James Hardie siding, you really are wondering, “Is it worth it for me?” This article will answer that exact question and what you need to know before investing in Hardie siding. 

If you already have James Hardie siding on your home and are inspecting it, you need to know what potential damages may warrant a repair or a replacement. This article will outline what to look for to know whether you should repair or replace your siding.