How to replace cement sheet on bottom of shed?

[Kati]

Hi, I've been trying to fix a leakage under the shed. The walls are made of cement sheet (?) in shiplap style. The bottom strip is broken and I need to replace it but it seems so very fragile that I think if I try to slide a new sheet under the strip above it to nail it, that one will break too.  Is there a trick to this?  Hope you can help. Kati

[EricL]

Hello @Kati 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your shed.

In order to give our members a better idea of what's happening to your shed, would it be possible for you to post a few pictures of the damaged section? We can then make recommendations on how to proceed.

Just to give you a general idea of how ship lap is replaced, I suggest having a look at this guide - How To Replace Rotten Weatherboards. 

If you need a hand posting the photos, please let us know.

Eric

[Kati]

Photos of bottom of shed wall.  Thx, Kati

[JacobZ]

Hi @Kati,

The video @EricL has provided gives you the basic idea of how to carry out the repair.

The bottom plate of your wall should be available to nail into along the full length of the fibre cement sheet. You can use Paslode 50 x 2.8mm 500g Fibre Cement Galvanised Nails to fix it in place.

If the next weatherboard is really brittle, it might get damaged in the process of slipping a new piece underneath, but it is the only way you can properly repair it without removing all of the weatherboards and starting again. 

To streamline the process, I'd suggest predrilling the weatherboard before moving it into place. Get a helper or two to give you a hand lifting and holding it in place. Make sure you have your hammer and nails in place ready to go so there's no fumbling with tools while it's being held in place.

If you plan it out and remove as many risks as possible, it's as simple as slipping it behind the weatherboard above and nailing it in place.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob