- Wood rot occurs when wood is exposed to moisture or fungi and it can lead to a plethora of issues for your home.
- Fixing and preventing wood rot is achievable through just five simple tips and tricks.
- At Preservan, we specialize in repairing wood rot and we want to help you prevent it!
Wood rot can come lurking in any wood surface, it can quickly become dangerous and cost a fortune to repair if not caught quickly. Preventing wood rot, on the other hand, can be made easy when you follow the top 5 wood rot prevention tips. Wood rot is very common and is caused by prolonged moisture and fungi. It spreads fast and can cause structural damage and costly repairs. Many homeowners are unaware of early warning signs that wood rot shows, which allows it to worsen. Service providers that specialize in wood rot repair are trained to repair, and prevent wood rot effectively.
What Is Wood Rot?
Wood rot weakens the structure and can appear on decks, trim, siding, around windows and doors. Essentially, wood rot is the decaying of wood fibers due to moisture or fungi when exposed for prolonged periods of time. The two types are wet rot and dry rot. Each type of wood rot requires different conditions to develop. Once you figure out what type you have, preventing wood rot in the future is easy.
What Causes Wood Rot?
There are a variety of things that cause wood rot. It can come about because of persistent moisture, lack of protective sealant, and poor ventilation. Wood that is in contact with concrete without a moisture barrier is especially vulnerable to wood rot. A common way wood rot occurs is from improper flashing and drainage. Standing water that’s around doors, windows, and foundations allows water to penetrate. When it comes to preventing wood rot, there are various ways and we want to show you how you can do it at home.
Top 5 Tips To Prevent Wood Rot
Removing moisture is a good starting point. Let’s go through the top 5 proven tips and tricks to help you with preventing wood rot.
1. Remove Any Existing Wood Rot to Prevent Spreading
The first and arguably most important tip in preventing wood rot is to remove any existing rot so it can’t spread. Even slightly soft wood should be removed and replaced to keep the structural integrity. Preservan uses an epoxy treatment once the wood rot is removed to make sure the wood stays strong and is able to prevent future damage. This tip may be hard to do on your own, but the professionals at Preservan are here to assist you in preventing wood rot.
2. Apply a Wood Sealer or Paint
The next tip to ensure you are preventing wood rot is to apply a wood sealer or water resistant paint. Wood sealers and exterior paint is able to help repel the moisture that would otherwise absorb and cause wood rot. Wood that is treated, or even rot resistant woods like redwood or cedar may help you with preventing wood rot as well. Knowing exactly what type of wood sealer to use may be difficult but contact Preservan if you have any questions or need any help preventing wood rot.
3. Steer Water Away
The next way you can start preventing wood rot is to make sure any moisture and water is moving away from vulnerable spaces. Gutters and downspouts need regular cleanings to prevent any overflow and water pooling near your house. Having proper flashing and sill pans can help redirect water away from the home in wet seasons, and even year round. By making sure you are steering water away from your home, you are preventing wood rot.
4. Ensure Proper Ventilation
Another tip is to ensure you have proper ventilation in enclosed spaces. Porches, crawl spaces, and attics are all areas where wood rot can creep in and you won’t even notice. These places need airflow to make sure wood rot doesn’t start to form. Mechanical or passive ventilation will help you with preventing wood rot in these spaces.
5. Check For Wood Rot Regularly
One of the most surefire ways to prevent wood rot is to regularly check areas for moisture. It’s good to start in areas which are prone to moisture like near windows and doors as well as the exterior trim, at least once a season. By detecting wood rot early, it will significantly reduce the price of repairs. Preventing wood rot is important to give yourself peace of mind every season.
Is Preventing Wood Rot Worth It?
Unless you want to deal with structural damage and expensive repairs, of course preventing wood rot is worth it! So if you want to save money and extend the lifespan of your home, wood rot prevention is a good way to start. Any kind of wood rot can move quickly and will easily compromise safety, especially when it is found in any support structures. Preservan’s wood rot repair process is more cost effective than a full replacement, so why not start here? Preventing wood rot can become easy with Preservan and it will even include a generous warranty.
Prevent Wood Rot With The Help Of Preservan
Now that you know the top 5 tricks to prevent wood rot, you can start prevention! Our epoxy technicians are very knowledgeable in preserving the wood in your home and bringing it back to its original beauty. We also provide preventative services to prevent wood rot before it begins. Preservan’s preventative services are specifically to protect your property with long-lasting defense against the damage caused by rotting wood.
Preservan is your go-to source for all wood rot repair needs! We handle repairs for windows, doors, and much more. Request a free quote or contact us today to request a free wood rot repair quote. You’ll be happy you did!
Contact Preservan
Call: 866.875.4280 or visit our Locations Page to find a Preservan location near you.
