- Wood rot can occur in any place where wood comes into contact with water.
- Wood rot commonly occurs on doors, but can also be found in nearly any part of the house.
- Contact Preservan for a free wood rot repair assessment.
Buying a home can be an exciting journey, but those who own homes know that the blessing of a home also comes with work. Wood rot is a condition that can afflict any home. Wood rot occurs when fungal colonies from traces of water come into contact with the wood in any part of the home. This is actually more common than you might think, as many parts of the home: attics, columns, roof eaves, can have exposure to water. While many people think replacement is the solution to this problem, wood rot repair is actually the far safer and more effective solution.
What Is Wood Rot
Wood rot is a process that occurs when fungal colonies, either from moist soil or repeated condensation like leaking plumbing or downspouts, come into contact with dry wood. This is a problem because the fungi change the structure of the wood, while altering its structure so that they can ingest it. Wood rot can appear in two ways. It can lead to discoloration and a crumbly appearance of the wood. It can also cause the wood to become stringy and spongy, and develop a white and yellow look.
Is There A Difference Between Wood Rot and Dry Rot
Wood rot and dry rot are both conditions you could observe in your home, however the two are slightly different. Wood rot is used to indicate any fungal type of wood rot caused by excessive water. Dry rot is a type of wood rot that is caused by a specific kind of fungi. It can occur in both damp and dry conditions. Another way dry rot is slightly different from wood rot is that it can also spread through dry, un-moisturized materials. The two are similar but slightly different.
Most Common Places Wood Rot Develops
Wood rot can occur in many places that you wouldn’t expect, and not just in doors. Common places wood rot develops is wherever water accumulates, and those are often places you might not think of. Think undersinks, windowsills and even wood siding. Wood rots in these places can often mean more extensive structural damage. This is why it is a good idea to keep an eye on these places in your home that most commonly develop wood rot.
Under Sinks
Underneath sinks is one of the most common places wood rot develops. You might not normally check for leaking pipes under bathroom or kitchen sinks. Those spaces are commonly crowded and not often thought of. However, if you don’t catch a leak that starts under the sink, you might see wood rot in the cabinet, or even the subfloor beneath.
Wooden Stairs Or Steps
Wooden stairs or steps are a good place for wood rot to cause a big problem. Wood rot on steps can be caused by anything from leaks to poor drainage to high humidity. Your stairs may not break down immediately from wood rot, but wood rot can be detected here by signs like warping, cracking, splitting, splintering, discoloration, and others. It’s useful to check ahead of time for signs like this because the consequences of not checking could potentially be dangerous.
Decks
One of the more obvious common places wood rot develops is on wooden decks. It is easy to develop wood rot on decks, because as suggested, it is caused by repeated exposure to moisture. Untreated wood decks, with old or no protective stain or sealer, are particularly vulnerable. It is important to look for signs of wood rot in any areas that make contact with the soil. Poor drainage, positioning next to a water source or too close to the ground will only exacerbate wood rot on decks.
Roof Eaves
Though it may be a hassle, checking your roof eaves periodically is very important. Checking for wood rot in this hard to reach spot might help prevent larger damage to other parts of the house. Wood rot here can develop due to Improperly installed roof flashing, a roof leak or clogged gutters.
Wood Siding
It is important to regularly inspect this most important part of your home for signs of wood decay. Wood siding, of all things, takes up a lot of the surface area of your home. If you get too much wood rot here, you might have a large & expensive project on your hands.
Attics
It is also important to check for wood rot in attics, as this is another area where wood rot can spread quickly. It is easy to develop wood rot in an attic from water seeping in through a leak. Other sources of condensation that can cause wood rot are improperly vented dryers or exhaust fans.
Basements
Wood rot could affect your basement if water comes into contact with wood in the foundation of your home. This is potentially a very serious situation, and may also be a regular feature of your home. Wood rot occurs here when land around the basement is improperly graded and water collects around the foundation of the home. Allowing a problem to develop here could have significant consequences for the rest of your home.
Pergolas
Does your home have a pergola to protect an outside seating area? While elegant and structurally practical, these wood structures can also be susceptible to wood rot. Pergolas are easily exposed to water condensation as they are exposed to the elements outdoors. Checking for and treating wood rot on pergolas could potentially save you a lot of money.
Columns
Columns are another part of a house’s architecture that is susceptible to wood rot. While they’re really beautiful on the outside, things can start to look really ugly if wood rot develops in these structures. Columns are difficult to replace and the structural integrity can fail once affected by wood rot. These foundational pieces of the house need to be checked regularly.
Wooden Windows
Wood rot is very common in wooden windows. It often happens, as with doors, when the proper paint or treatment is not applied or applied incorrectly. Wooden windows help express the beauty of your home while keeping out the elements. Keeping them healthy is essential for the property value of your home.
Windowsills
Though they may be a more expected place for wood rot, the problem is no less serious when it comes to windowsills. Wood rot can affect windowsills both inside and outside of the house. Windowsills are in the perfect place to develop wood rot, as they are often flat and water can collect on the surface. Wood rot can start here and easily spread to the windows & framing of a building. Don’t let your windowsill destroy your home.
Doors
Doors are the centerpiece of your home. They can convey your home’s age, character, and condition. Doors & door frames also provide structural integrity to the home, especially at the entrance. As the piece that is most front and center, it is a totally worthwhile investment to check them periodically in order to prevent wood rot, or to have a professional repair it if it is in need of repair.
Can Wood Rot Be Repaired
Wood rot is not just a problem for some people. It can be a problem for anyone who owns a home. If you have construction & handyman skills, you may be able to restore or replace the wood affected on your own. If handyman work is not your thing, there are contractors & businesses out there that can help A wood rot repair professional can not only help detect the early signs of wood rot, but can also help repair it using specialized techniques to address the wood rot.
Take Action Against Common Places Wood Rot Develops With Preservan
If you’re feeling slightly overwhelmed reading this, it’s ok. At Preservan we have a team full of wood rot repair professionals who are equipped to detect the signs of wood rot. The professionals at Preservan actually repair the wood, rather than replace it. Often people don’t know this, but by repairing your wood fixtures, you are adding value to your property, eliminating waste in landfills, and reducing overall costs of home maintenance. At Preservan, we use a trusted epoxy method to safeguard and repair your wooden windowsills, doors, etc. Our services, more importantly,provide you peace of mind by safeguarding every part of your house against wood rot, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Our highly experienced and friendly technicians ensure that every repair is low cost and quickly executed, leaving you with a wood window sash that looks good as new! If you are interested in learning more about what we can do for your wood rot, visit our website. You can also book an appointment, or give us a call with any questions you may have about wood window sash repair. If your wood windowsill has wood rot or dry rot, contact Preservan Wood Rot Repair. Our wood rot repair experts are ready to save your building from the dangers of wood rot. Our epoxy treatment can repair wood window sashes without costly replacement and is eco-friendly too. Check out our website for more details and to schedule an appointment to have wood window sash repairs or to repair wooden windows at your home.
