Siding experts needed

That looks like unpainted hardieboard on a newer house
(Pre painted) trash

Wash , caulk and paint all

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The butt joints should not be caulked on cement board siding for this very reason.

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That is correct. You use sealant on the seams that meet up to trim, but not on butt joints. You are supposed to field paint those butt ends before installation so they don’t soak up water, but hardly any of the jackleg installers do so. The butt joints should also be flashed to prevent water getting behind the course(s) beneath (see illustration below). I used 30# felt, but they make other options that are no more effective. Once again, most installers skip this step, as they don’t want silly shite like effectiveness getting in the way of speed.





ETA: I’ve seen many painters caulk the underside seam of hardie that laps over the course below. If you ever see someone doing this, slap them on the head.

you got a mess there buddy.
is the house even painted that looks like naked siding

and all the guys above are correct...no caulk on hardie siding except where the horizontal siding meets vertical trim. not at the butts, not under the laps. we see this all the time. and never let installers caulk at the trim, have the painters do it

concrete siding ought to be outlawed. It is turning out to be a LOUSY product....

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Cementious siding?

Worlds better than the Masonite crap it replaced.

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This is true as rain....but garbage is still garbage.

I have been a pretty big advocate for "hardie" type siding. That was before I saw what happens to it in a tropical storm. Not good. Given that the manufacturers installation guidelines are never followed even by "certified" installers I would be hesitant to use it. Just me.

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I don’t doubt you have good reasons for saying that. What have you noticed?
I’ve installed quite a bit of Hardi and never saw a product failure. I have seen shoddy workmanship on installs that caused other problems.
I do hate seeing “wavy” walls.

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So it has always been fine in our area....until Helene and now many homes have some serious siding damage that is almost unnoticeable (lifted pieces. cracks, seams opened) and many people do not know that they have a problem and of course insurance ain't telling them and contractors are focused on one day roofing jobs and not interested in a week long siding and painting gig....

It is warrantied against almost anything BUT hurricanes. Because it is so brittle once it starts moving a little it does a LOT of damage....