Hello all!
I have an old (+100 years) house with wide 1950's siding ~ I believe it's called Fiberboard. In some parts of the house, the siding begins about 20 inches up from the ground, below which is the foundation. However, around the back of the house where the old summer kitchen/wood house was built, the siding goes right down to the ground (there is no foundation ~ it was just built on some rocks). As the siding is made of pressed wood fibres, when it gets wet the moisture wicks up through the siding; and much of the lower boards are rotten. I have begun the process of tearing off the bottom two rows of Fiberboard ~ the original (or previous) wooden clapboard siding is underneath.
At the floor line, are a few entry points where rats/critters have chewed through and relax in the luxury of my rec room.
My idea is to dig a "trench" around the perimeter of the back of the house and cover the exposed clapboard with something that will resemble the concrete foundation around the rest of the house. The purpose of the trench is so that is will go lower than grade to deter mice, snakes, etc from entering unannounced.
I found a product called cement board that I thought might work; but from what I can tell, it is not intended to go below grade ~ or at least not with direct ground contact. Any suggestions as to what I could use ~ perhaps painted grey, if it doesn't come that way ~ that would a) cover the clapboard, b) resemble foundation, c) not rot, and d) keep the critters out.
Note: The critter issue is the least concern.
Thank you for your consideration, Karen
PS: I cannot afford to re-side my house at this time. This is a stop-gap solution; but one which I'd like to last for awhile.
I have an old (+100 years) house with wide 1950's siding ~ I believe it's called Fiberboard. In some parts of the house, the siding begins about 20 inches up from the ground, below which is the foundation. However, around the back of the house where the old summer kitchen/wood house was built, the siding goes right down to the ground (there is no foundation ~ it was just built on some rocks). As the siding is made of pressed wood fibres, when it gets wet the moisture wicks up through the siding; and much of the lower boards are rotten. I have begun the process of tearing off the bottom two rows of Fiberboard ~ the original (or previous) wooden clapboard siding is underneath.
At the floor line, are a few entry points where rats/critters have chewed through and relax in the luxury of my rec room.
My idea is to dig a "trench" around the perimeter of the back of the house and cover the exposed clapboard with something that will resemble the concrete foundation around the rest of the house. The purpose of the trench is so that is will go lower than grade to deter mice, snakes, etc from entering unannounced.
I found a product called cement board that I thought might work; but from what I can tell, it is not intended to go below grade ~ or at least not with direct ground contact. Any suggestions as to what I could use ~ perhaps painted grey, if it doesn't come that way ~ that would a) cover the clapboard, b) resemble foundation, c) not rot, and d) keep the critters out.
Note: The critter issue is the least concern.
Thank you for your consideration, Karen
PS: I cannot afford to re-side my house at this time. This is a stop-gap solution; but one which I'd like to last for awhile.
