Exterior Wood Rot, Repairs and Painting

Perhaps it started as just a little crack in your siding, or an area of your window casing that always seemed to hold water after a storm. Maybe those unsealed joints have been on your to-do list a little too long, or you’ve been suspecting your attic leaks. Whatever the initial cause, and however slow or quick it is to spread, wood rot is not a matter to be taken lightly. When left unattended, wood rot can go from a cosmetic inconvenience to a serious problem. At KC Sharp Remodeling, we want to help keep your home in tip-top condition. We’ll break down for you the what, why and how of wood rot, so you can avoid the guesswork and make the best decision for your needs.

What Causes Wood Rot?

The initial catalyst of wood rot is always going to be moisture. When warm, damp, conditions combine with air-borne fungi, wood decay, or rot, results. As wood rot is due to living organisms, it is imperative that you handle it straight away, since it will spread and ruin more wood as long as conditions remain to its advantage.

Frequent fliers for wood rot origins include:

• Poor drainage near a home/standing water
• Siding/roof damage
• Window/door casing damage
• Old flashing
• Gutter blockage
• Worn out house paint
• Landscaping features too near siding
• Uncaulked siding seams

Essentially, any set of circumstances creating a damp crevice or fissure in lumber, with favorable temperatures, will often result in wood rot. The spread of decay results in an unseemly appearance, with shrinkage, splitting, and either dark spots or a white fuzzy growth appearing in the area. More importantly, the decay attacks the structural integrity of the timber, causing a spongy, soft feeling, splintering, and decreased strength and durability. Wood rot will lift a paint job and cause an unpleasant musty odor. All around, it is disastrous for both the form and function of your siding, exterior trim, or even deck timbers. Identifying and treating wood rot early on is crucial.

Stop The Rot

When it comes to getting rid of stubborn wood rot, it’s important to get to the heart of the problem. That means locating the source of the trouble. Start by checking out the spots we highlighted on our list as common rot-starting culprits, or have us swing by to investigate for you! Once you’ve found the origins of the issue, it’s time to take action.

The first step is to eliminate the moisture source that is feeding the rot. This could involve cleaning out gutters, caulking seams around casing and siding panels, repairing roof damage or planning out a better landscaping layout. Whatever the case, our people at KC Sharp Home Improvements are always ready to assist! Some jobs may be simply too challenging or time consuming to fit into your busy schedule. Let us handle it for you!

Repair or Replace?

Once you’ve solved the source of rot-fostering damp, you can move on to repairing the damage caused by the rot, and that damage that can cause it in the future. When it comes to this step, we do recommend handing it over to the pros. It can be difficult to tell when to repair and when to replace. Our pros at KC Sharp Home Improvements are a phone call away from making your wood rot concerns a thing of the past.

If you do decide to do it yourself, make sure the rot is well dried out before you begin. Scrape out every last bit of the rot, and use an appropriate epoxy wood filler. Sand it down once dry, then make sure to paint or stain the area to lock out moisture.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

The key to avoiding future rot-related crises is to stay on top of problem areas. Ensure that your window and door casings are thoroughly sealed with an all-weather caulk, as well as any siding seams. Monitor the state of your exterior paint jobs as they are your first line of defense against moisture! Handle any siding, roofing or casing damages immediately. Ensure proper drainage for precipitation near your home. Finally, ensure that landscaping features, such as bushes, trees or even fallen leaves are not piled against your home, trapping moisture.

We know you have lots of things to juggle, and your time is precious. If it turns out that exterior repairs just can’t make the list, give us a call at (913) 313-0712 to get an estimate today!