Caulking Problems with Hardiplank

[hammersley]

OK - our homes in my neighborhood are all about 5 years old. We have hardiplank siding. It was installed with a 1/8" gap at the butt joint and caulked. The peoblem is that the vast majority of the joints are now failing and need to be recaulked! This is a nightmare because now you have to put paint over the caulk and there is no way it will match the other paint which has faded via the 5 years. So you either ignore these cracks or fix them and have unslightly paint patch marks OR REPAINT the house EVERY 3-5 YEARS.



Upon talking to many siding folks and the Hardiplank folks I'm told well that's normal - caulks won't last more than 3-5 years and have to be replaced. What a bunch of crap! These houses were done with Vulcum which is supposed to be the best - what can I do - I mean is there a caulk that will last????????

 

[GFritsch]

I have used this product on Hardiplank, and wood trim. It has held up well over the years. It is not cheap (don't remember the cost) but for a home job I would spend the money.



Good luck,

Greg



http://www.phenoseal.com/

 

[Scot]

I am using the "Big Stretch" brand caulk this time. We have used what Hardi recommended in the past. It lasts a few years and cracks. Only have about a year and a half on the Big Stretch and have no failures yet. With the hot Texas sun, that is promising. One of the keys it getting the old caulk off completely.



As good as paint matching is these days, I do not see why the paint store could not match it, fade and all.