Clapboard Doesn't Last

onlinehandyman

I have been lurking this board on and off for a while gaining valuable information - thank you!

Now a question finally came up and I was hoping someone might be able to give me an idea about what is going on.

I have had this job fixed several times and never does it seem to last. The clapboard on one of the dormers on my house will not stay on. I have had several companies repair it and never does it make it through the winter.

I have attached a picture and was hoping someone might be able to give me an idea of why this was happening.

Thank you in advance.

Attached Thumbnails

 

neolitic

The siding should be cut
an inch above the shingle line,
and the pointed end of the cut
should be clipped.
I can't really tell what's
going on with the flashing, but
it looks fishy too.

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naptown CR

I agree with neo however add prime and paint the lower cut edge before installation too.

onlinehandyman

Just to make sure that I get it done right next time I am assuming that cut an inch above the shingle line means where the 2 over lap there should be an inch overlap. The part that I do not quite understand is "pointed end of the cut should be clipped".

I very much appreciate your help guys - thanks!

naptown CR

No this means that there should be an inch of space veritcally between the roof shingles and the bottom of the siding. the clipped corner refers to when you cut this there will be a pointy end where the top of the cut piece of siding is. Clip this back to prevent water running dpwn the roof from getting onto the top edge of the siding

genecarp

WICKING.....

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naptown CR

absolutlely i would recommend fiber cement but that could be a pain in the a** to miter the corners.

Cole82

The water might be running into that metal corner trim piece and stopping. Then when stopped it freezes and pops you siding board off. After cutting back the siding and making shure the water has an exit at the bottum. I would reroof and add some over hangs to that house and dormer.

onlinehandyman

Thanks guys for all of your help! I now have a much better understanding of what needs to be done. I am a contractor myself, but as you can see quite the other end of the house from the roof. Thanks again!

nEighter

all your siding is caulked to the roof

onlinehandyman

Is that not correct nEighter? I didn't do this job - I just know that I continue to keep having it repaired and would like to get a handle on having it done RIGHT which I am beginning to understand!

nEighter

You see that flashing (the metal)? You would side this coming down the roof line, leaving 1" of clearance from the roofing material to the bottom side of the siding. That flashing protects water from getting into the house. By caulking the siding to the roof, you are asking for trouble. All it takes is one spot of that caulking to fail.. then it might as well be a water balloon. and the layers down the river will fail.

onlinehandyman

Thanks nEighter and I got to tell all of you guys - I really learned a lot here and you were all very helpful and really nice about helping someone not in your particular trade. Now I have the knowledge to make sure that it is done right the next time. Thanks again guys!