What level of damage are we dealing with here? Full on tear out and replace?

I'd try to rip horizontally and tear out the hardy and add in a piece of LP Smartside trim in its place.

What whitetail said. And leave a gap this time so it doesn't rot.

Lot better than wood, but still susceptible to water damage over time if it stays wet. That's why the installation instructions say to leave a gap.

Need a couple more pics and some scale and where this is located on the structure. If this is in the back or side, I would maybe consider cleaning it up just a bit, repainting and calling it good, especially if this might happen again.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Need a couple more pics and some scale and where this is located on the structure. If this is in the back or side, I would maybe consider cleaning it up just a bit, repainting and calling it good, especially if this might happen again.

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The problem is what's going on behind the siding. Could be causing some huge issues that are only showing on the bottom panel for now. The caulk at the bottom shows me there's probably other issues on the house due to poor installation.

I'll add…That caulk may have trapped the water too.

Whitetail said:

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I'll add…That caulk may have trapped the water too.

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It did for sure. Also we're blaming the siding guy but if the tile was done afterwards then it raised the ground level. The clear caulk makes me think it was the tile guy. (I wouldn't blame him for doing that though, it's pretty standard)

My guess is that we are looking at engineered wood at best and real wood at worst (not redwood nor cypress)
that is rotting from the rear due to no air drying space and perhaps tile "floor" draining that direction

Rip out all
Replace/repair sheathing
Run metal flashing under tile/e1tc and up wall & seal well
Pre-primed Hardie vertical siding, perhaps with Hardie battons

Photos suggest we are looking at a lofted area at roof gable?
If so, why a tile floor?

YellAg2004 said:

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I thought one of the pros of Hardi was that it won't rot since it's just cement board? What is happening in the picture to cause that to happen? Or are you sure it's Hardi?

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hardi does not hold up to constant submersion and judging from that silicone there is pooling or some kind of water issue going on. Looks to be a tiled open or covered porch ?


Is there a galvanized or stainless pan underneath the flooring system ?

The hardi should really be about 1/2 inch above that finished floor and then have either another sacrificial easy to replace base board that covers the gap out of either hardi or pvc trim if it has constant submersion

Sorry it took me a while to respond.

This is an elevated upper-level balcony that abuts the roofline.

In hindsight, I'm not even sure if this is hardi or engineered wood.. Home construction is not my area..

That kinda looks familiar

Is this one of the ag shacks that is 4-5 bedroom over in the
State street/historical area

Here is probably a problem. Not for sure but there is a good chance there is no flashing under that tile that rolls up behind the hardi

I could be wrong but I looked at a porch that was just done terrible with a flashing method that did not work

No, this is my home. Central Texas. 8 years old. This damage has been showing up after the last three hard rains this year. 3+ inches. Water does stand and build up here but only really after a serious hard rain

how is drain system set up ?

just flows off the entire edge ?

flows to rectangle drains ?

channels to a hidden vertical pvc drain ?

how much slope is on the finished tile floor ?

It is sloped and drains off the edges to the rest of the roof.

Agree, settled on that is what we're probably going to do. thanks.