Replacing Rotten Wood
Some home repairs are obvious when they are needed. An overflowing toilet or broken window are examples of when you know you need immediate home repair. Rotten wood can be a little more difficult to detect. Rotten wood can go years without being discovered and can often lead to more serious issues.
The first step is to identify problem areas and thoroughly check for signs of potential rotten wood. The most common problem areas for rotten wood are: Deck boards, window frames, siding boards, door frames, trim and stairs. When checking these problem areas look for visible signs of rotting or water buildup. Excess water buildup is one of the most common problems that leads to rotten wood. Rotten wood will look darker, deteriorating, damp and soft to the touch. If you can pull the wood apart it is rotten. Once you have checked your home for rotten wood there are two outcomes. Either you are in the clear and all the wood looks good or you found rotten wood and need to repair or replace it. If you do find rotten wood, do not worry because Woody’s Wood Repair has you covered!
If you find rotten wood the next step is to replace it yourself or have professionals do it. Rotten wood repair can be as simple as pulling the rotten wood and cutting new wood to fit or as difficult as major construction and disassembling the problem area down to bare bones or studs to remove all affected rotten wood. Once wood starts to rot it often spreads. If the rotting has spread hire professionals because there may be serious problems.
do it quickly and hire professionals
Rotten wood is not a problem you can ignore. If you have rotten wood replace it ASAP. The sooner you act the quicker you’ll stop the rot from spreading. If the rotten wood has spread make sure to hire professionals so they address and correct the problem area correctly. Repairs not done by professionals can have dire consequences.
Stay vigilant. Look yearly for rotten wood.
Once you know the signs and causes of rotten wood you can stay vigilant be checking your home yearly. The best practice for rotten wood is stopping it in its tracks before it becomes a problem.
Caulk and painting can go a long way.
Exterior painting is more than just making your house look like the best on the block. Caulking and painting are your first line of defense in preventing rotten wood. Making sure all problem areas of your house have been painted or caulked prevents water from pooling or building up in areas where it is not wanted. A good paint job can save you tons of money down the line on unwanted repairs.
Make sure to remove all rotten wood before you start repairs.
Even a soggy few side boards can lead to larger underlying damage. Make sure to get it all!
Here are some examples of rotten wood in early, mid and late stages:
Hopefully these tips help keep your home protected from rotten wood and prepare you with the skills needed to handle rotten wood if discovered. If not please give us a call, we are the professionals you can trust!
