New to siding - rotten wood siding, how to fix

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Thom

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Layton, UT
Hello everybody
We've got some vertical oriented wood siding on our house that has started to rot away.

1. Can anybody tell me what kind of siding this is? It seems like some kind of pressed/formed wood imitation
2.Wife's worried about black mold. Do I/ how do I check for that?
3. What's the best way to fix something like this?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.
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Looks like T1-11. Sold everywhere in 4’x8’ sheets. You can find it in 9’ lengths too. But your real problem is that window leaked and probably rotted the framing before hitting your siding.

Anyway, remove window, unscrew siding, cut new piece to fit, screw, reinstall window with appropriate butyl flashing.
 
I am sure the is a nicer way to say junk, but that is what I think that is.
I would look at removing the bottom 8" slip a a flashing up behind that siding after painting the new cut edge.
Then I would apply and new water table board.
 
I am sure the is a nicer way to say junk, but that is what I think that is.
I would look at removing the bottom 8" slip a a flashing up behind that siding after painting the new cut edge.
Then I would apply and new water table board.


:I agree: This is exactly the way I would fix it also. The flashing is called a Z-flashing and can be purchased already formed in lengths. The trim board is sometimes called a skirt board around here. it could be made from PT lumber (pressure treated) or from PVC lumber.
 
:I agree: This is exactly the way I would fix it also. The flashing is called a Z-flashing and can be purchased already formed in lengths. The trim board is sometimes called a skirt board around here. it could be made from PT lumber (pressure treated) or from PVC lumber.
We call it a barge board but i just matched the photo to save confusion.
 
Looks like T1-11. Sold everywhere in 4’x8’ sheets. You can find it in 9’ lengths too. But your real problem is that window leaked and probably rotted the framing before hitting your siding.

Anyway, remove window, unscrew siding, cut new piece to fit, screw, reinstall window with appropriate butyl flashing.

Thanks for the insight.
Is this a big enough problem that I need to consider replacing all the siding on the house?
 
Thanks for the insight.
Is this a big enough problem that I need to consider replacing all the siding on the house?


I wouldn’t unless you don’t like the look of it.


I’m not so sure what you have is T1-11. it is something similar but the real stuff is made more like a PT plywood with the groves cut in it. Yours looks more like a pressed fibrous product made to look like T1-11.


Ether way you can check it up higher with a ice pick or screwdriver to see if there are any soft spots. I think it will all be on the bottom where water splashes up and worst around windows as mentioned where the flashing have failed or were never done right. Check around the windows to see if anything is soft. You may have to pull the windows if that is the case.
 
Moisture will wick up in concrete and it looks like they allowed the back of that siding to touch the concrete, so you likely have more of that, that just hasn't showed up yet.
Everything is different today, we no longer put solid siding tight to house, to allow some breathing to eliminate this and other problem.
The trouble with changing the siding is, it gets bigger. Those windows look old, maybe you need more insulation. the list just grows.
 
Regarding the mold, the whole "Black Mold" and "Toxic Mold" scare was a huge over-reaction driven mostly by ignorance. Different people have different reactions to the same mold species and pretty much any species found growing in/on your house might cause a reaction in a person sensitive to that species. The bottom line is that, unless someone is having an adverse reaction, there is no need to panic. However, mold is not good and should be removed and the condition that allowed it to grow should be fixed.
 
I'm going to disagree with all the other people replying so far.
That's old Masonite siding that had a huge recall long ago because of all the failures.
It it had of been T-111 the suggestions would have worked, but not with that stuff.
It will just fall apart when you try and cut it, or pry it out to slip in the Z molding.
It was just ground up cardboard.
If it was mine and I wanted that same look I'd be removing all of it, replacing all the rotten insulation your going to find behind it, removing and replacing any windows, then install Smart Side siding ordered with a factory white finish.
 
One more issue regarding mold I should have mentioned: Finding mold when you plan to sell is a reason for panic. Even if there is no reason to think there is a health hazard, if an inspection finds mold it can cause all kinds of problems. California law requires the seller to disclose known significant issues with the house - and you do not want one of those to be mold.
 
I'm going to disagree with all the other people replying so far.
That's old Masonite siding that had a huge recall long ago because of all the failures.
It it had of been T-111 the suggestions would have worked, but not with that stuff.
It will just fall apart when you try and cut it, or pry it out to slip in the Z molding.
It was just ground up cardboard.
If it was mine and I wanted that same look I'd be removing all of it, replacing all the rotten insulation your going to find behind it, removing and replacing any windows, then install Smart Side siding ordered with a factory white finish.
Without a doubt replacing it all and having a look inside the walls all the way up would be best. Sometimes people just don’t have the funds to go all in even though it is the best way to go. We never know the OPs situation 100% and he mentioned repairing so I suggested the ice pick method of checking for problem area the paint is hiding.



That siding was a junk product but could have held up ok in some areas.

Ether way we can wait and see if he comes back to the thread and if he does and can afford it I’m with you in replacing it all.
 
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