Need advice on replacing lap boards

[FACE]

Yes, i posted this before (and got no replies). I am looking for a how-to on this.

Need advice on replacing cedar lap siding boards --

I have two lap siding boards on first level that have warped due to water -- one from water bouncing off of shrubbery, one from water bouncing off of the trash can. The thin edges of the beveled boards have warped out form under the next higher board. (Possibly they were not set right originally.)

The one from the shrubbery water bounce is the main problem. I gave a hard look at that lap board yesterday and it goes behind the structural parts of the front porch. Taking all of that down (or partially out from the house) to replace that board appears to be the worst option available.

One option I had considered was wetting, attempting to "unwarp" the board by laying it flat on the driveway and leaving weight on that thin edge for a while, and resetting it. I already know the boards that have been in the baking sun since 1984 are brittle from trying to reset one on the house next door and having it break on me. (I carefully tacked that one back together, spackled the bejesus out of it and moved on and came back later and painted it -- looks great! ;-))

Since the warping does not extend behind the porch, scabbing in a siding board before it gets to the porch sounds like the best approach. That of course depends on me locating matching siding (I have been unable to locally so far but have some leads to some large lumber suppliers from who experience shows that they will be pretty disdainful of someone who wants to buy two boards and not several thousand linear feet.) or me faking it pretty good since both bad boards are right on the front of the house near the front door.

I have watched (or passed by) people scabbing boards but my own experience in doing so is limited to about 10 inches of downboard on the chimney chase. That one I just did with oak for durability instead of the rough cedar and though the depth was different -- the rough construction cedar must have been 11/2 x 4 and my oak was 1 x 4 -- it matches and looks good on the face except for it is not rough and the back is well spackled to fill the void. (The original was water rotted).

Any ideas or thoughts? Maybe a 1, 2, 3 recipe?

FACE

[FACE]

Thanks for the instructions. You are right about Home Cheapo and Slows. At least the close-to-town stores do not have what I am looking for. I have found a Home depot some 20 miles out that claims to carry cedar lap siding. Otherwise it will be lumber yards twice that far out. Since I have a short piece left over from termite repair some years ago i will carry that with me to get an exact or close as possible match.

If i missed other replies it is my fault -- or my servers -- I will go back and pull all messages and check.

Thanks,

FACE

[Colbyt]

Sorry. I saw your post and thought you had replies so did not respond. Maybe they weren't helpful replies.

Lap boards are best replaced for the full width but sometimes as in your case that may not be possible. Best to replace with cedar as close a match as possible. Doubt you will be able to straighten them Here is a step by step. It has been a long day and I may not be clear enough. Post back with questions.

1. Loosen or remove the nails in the board above the one you need to replace.
2. remove the nails from the board(s) you need to replace.
3. Locate the center of the stud closest to the porch.
4. Use a tri square to mark a vertical line on the siding along the center of the stud.
5. Set the depth gauge on a circular saw to about .562" (the thickness of the siding + 1/8")
6. cut a straight line from the bottom of the board and about 1" above the upper overlap.

7 remove the damaged board 8 cut and fit a new board 9 Use flashing behind the seam and at least 1"above the vertical cut. The flashing goes behind the siding. You can use tin or rubber 10 Nail new board into place sand the seam to level the two edges, fill with bondo and sand smooth, then finish as you please.

You should be able to find cedar lap siding at any real lumber yard. Not likely you will find it at Slows or Home Cheapo.