Is Wood Rot Giving Your Home Cancer?
Posted on November 26, 2021
No, not cancer in the literal sense. But figuratively, home improvement professionals refer to wood rot as cancer to homes with wooden siding or trim. Wood rot can destroy a beautiful wooden structure very quickly.
Siding, soffits, railings and more can be affected by rain and water pooling against them causing damage. Is the exterior of your home rotting? Professional exterior wood home repairs could be in order.
No matter whether the water comes from rain and snow melting or failing paint and caulking, the outcome will be rotten wood. Addressing the issue quickly will save you time and a lot of heartache.
Because water damage on wood can spread quickly, water leaks require immediate attention. If left untreated, rotting wood could impact the structural integrity of your home.
So what causes rotting wood?
Moisture that pools or lingers on wood will cause the fibers of the wood to deteriorate. Unprotected wood, or wood with imperfections in the protective coating is very susceptible to rot.
How do I find rotten wood?
To find rotting wood, get a screwdriver and start inspecting the boards on the exterior of your home. Start by checking boards lowest to the ground and along your roofline. Also, check the seams where two boards meet.
Most wood rot will be visible to plain sight, but it can sometimes be hidden. Wood should never be soft when pressed upon. Use the tip of a screwdriver to press onto questionable areas. If it gives or feels soft, you should repair it immediately. Cracks that appear to be folding in are a sure sign of wood rot.
What are the most common carpentry repairs for wood rot?
Do your trim boards have chipping paint and loose caulking? This is one of the most common places to find wood rot. Typically these will be cedar boards or LP SmartSide trim boards. These are the most common trim building materials in this area. With cedar you will see splitting and deterioration, with LP trim you’ll see the board getting thicker from the moisture intake.
Homeowners who do not repaint or inspect their exterior regularly are likely to discover these trim wood rot issues.
Window and Door Frames
Exterior doors and windows can often have damage. Rainwater can collect in the joints and at the base of doors and windows. This can wear away at the paint or seal allowing the wood to be penetrated with moisture.
Porch Column Base Caps
The base of your porch columns is another common place to find rotten wood. Many builders in the area will install trim at the base of a porch post or column. Because these boards often touch the porch flooring they will be exposed to standing water which causes the wood rot.
It is important to remember that several year’s worth of snow and rain can wash away any protective coating you may have had on your outside deck. Spring & Fall are good times to get outside to check your deck, beams, stairs and other areas to ensure there is no wood rot waiting to be found.
How do I prevent rot?
Keeping water and wood separate is the only sure way to prevent wood rot. Regular painting and caulking and using preventative building materials will help to keep your home safe from this wood “cancer.”
In the future, you may want to replace wood with different building materials in your home where you have found rot. Building materials such as fiber cement or PVC. They will stand up to moisture better than cedar trim or LP SmartSide trim.
So You Have Found Wood Rot, Now What?
If you find rotten wood on the exterior of your home, repairs are necessary. You can choose to attack and handle this huge issue on your own or hire professionals who know exactly what to do to save the structure of your home.
The team at CertaPro Painters are experts in wood repairs and replacements.
