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The Daily Insight

How do you clean Hardie off a deck

Author

Samuel Coleman

Published Apr 17, 2026

Use a scrub brush to loosen really stubborn grit or to spot treat stains. Allow the cleaning solution to sit on the deck for around ten minutes, or whatever length of time is recommended by the manufacturer, then give it a good rinse. Goodbye, deck grime!

Can you pressure wash hardy board?

Don’t use a high-pressure power washer to get the job done, as it turns out a low-pressure hose and a soft medium bristle (nonmetal) brush is the best way to remove dirt and debris from James Hardie® siding and trim.

Can hardiplank be power washed?

The manufacturer recommends that you do not pressure wash your Hardie siding. The hard spray of water from the power washer can damage the surface of the siding. In fact, pressure washing fiber cement siding is one of the only ways you can damage this durable type of siding.

Can you use bleach on HardiePlank?

While there is a multitude of cleaning products on the market that tout many benefits, Belk Builders recommends an inexpensive and effective way to make cleaning your HardiePlank siding effortless. We recommend using Outdoor Clorox. When used as directed, Clorox® Outdoor Bleach will not harm your grass or plants.

How do you remove Hardie panels?

Place the flat bar under the first nail or screw and smack the free end of the bar with a mallet or hammer to dislodge the nail or screw. Repeat along the first plank to remove it entirely, exposing the nails or screw fasteners on the next board down.

How do you clean white Hardie board?

Create a gentle cleansing solution made of mild dishwashing soap and water. Wet a soft cloth with the cleaning solution and wipe the greasy stains. Rinse the siding with a low-pressure garden hose. Repeat as necessary for any stubborn, oily stains.

How do you clean mildew off of Hardie board?

Water Mild liquid dishwashing soap (Dawn®, Ivory®, or Joy® ) and water. Do not use any harsh cleaning chemicals. Mildew cleaners (Jomax®, Mildew Check®, Mold Armor®) and water.

How do you get concrete splatter off Hardie siding?

Simply brush the siding with the soft brush to free the surface of the culprit you’re trying to clean. Then, rinse with the garden hose. If using a soft cloth to remove the debris, with a wet cloth, wipe the siding clean and rinse with clean water.

How do you remove Hardie from concrete splatter?

Mix one part water and one part sugar and apply it to thick concrete splatters. Let the sugar water eat away and soften the concrete before scrubbing the area with a stiff brush. Rinse the area off with water and repeat the sugar solution, if necessary.

Does Hardie board mildew?

It is highly susceptible to mold and mildew. Hardie Plank has many seams and the seams must be sealed or water can infiltrate behind the siding. It can crack and if it does, you must tear the whole wall down in order to replace just one plank. … It is mold and mildew resistant.

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How do you remove mold from cement board?

Scrub the area of siding where you can find the mold and mildew. Don’t do too hard. A light touch is always a good touch with fiber cement siding. Wait for the cleaner to do its work, clean the area once again, then rinse with your garden hose.

How do you remove Hardie plank siding without damaging it?

In order to remove the board you’ll have to pull out or cut off the nails, which are likely located underneath the overlapping siding on the row above. Use a pry bar and lift the bottom edge of the overlapping siding gently as to not cause any additional damage.

How do you remove Hardie plank siding?

  1. Use a pry bar to remove the damaged siding.
  2. Remove any nails from the top piece of good siding.
  3. Cut the fiber cement siding to length (wear approved dust protection).
  4. Blind-nail the fiber cement siding in place, starting with the bottom piece.

How often does Hardie board need repainting?

Hardie Plank is also called fiber cement siding. While it’s far heavier than aluminum, vinyl or wood, it is extremely durable and typically only needs a new paint every ten to twenty years for maintenance. It is one of the best materials and long-term solutions for protecting your home.

Do termites eat Hardie board?

Hardie Board siding resists pests including termites and carpenter ants. It’s also woodpecker resistant, so you don’t have to worry about the hassles of repairing termite or woodpecker damage.

Does White Hardie board get dirty?

Despite its superior quality, incredible durability, and amazing good looks, James Hardie board siding isn’t impervious to getting a bit dirty from time to time. It needs very little maintenance and is resistant to mold and mildew.

Does goof off remove concrete splatter?

Product Description. Goof Off Concrete Degreaser is a powerful cleaner that draws out oil stains from concrete with no scrubbing or rinsing. It applies as a liquid that pulls oil and grease out of concrete, then dries to a powder that can be easily swept up, leaving concrete free of spots and stains.

How long does Hardie board last?

With the proper care, your James Hardie fiber cement siding will outlast its 30-year warranty. It can even last up to 50 years if cared for properly.

What kind of paint do you use on Hardie board?

Use 100% acrylic paint or acrylic latex paint. Apply up to two coats of paint. Use a paintable caulk made to bond to fiber cement and your trim.

How do you fill nail holes in James Hardie siding?

The installation guide for Hardie Board, which is a brand of cement board siding recommends using caulking to fill nail holes. When I’ve installed it I used a high-quality exterior paintable calking after smoothing the edge of the holes. Once the caulk is dry you can touch up the paint.

How do you fill Hardie board holes?

  1. Sand over the damaged area lightly but thoroughly with a medium-grit sandpaper to smooth any jagged edges and create an easy grip surface for the patch product.
  2. Apply the patch product to the damaged area with the flexible putty knife to fill in any indentations or holes.

Why does fiber cement siding crack?

Nails driven below the panel surface and directional nailing can cause cracking and splitting of fiber cement. Nailing too high or close at an edge. This can create a small crack which leads from the nail to the edge of the siding board.

What is the reveal on Hardie plank siding?

The “Exposure” or Reveal means how much of the lap siding is visible. The standard new construction siding and most economic option is a 7” reveal exposure (8 1/4” James Hardie Plank board with a 1 ¼” overlap per James Hardie Elite Contractor Preferred Guidelines).

When was Masonite siding discontinued?

As a result of the lawsuit, nearly all manufacturers stopped producing Masonite siding and, in March 2001, the Masonite Corporation announced its decision to phase out production of all hardboard siding products.

How do you fix a cracked Hardie board?

Hardie board siding usually cracks due to poor installation. The original installer might have accidentally installed a nail too close to the edge of the siding, causing a crack. You can easily fix it by cleaning it and then using caulk to patch the gap.