Finding and Fixing Wood Rot in Cincinnati

Finding and fixing wood rot can be one of the biggest headaches for any homeowner. Sometimes it’s a nuisance and sometimes it’s a nightmare. Regardless, wood rot is always a problem. It often goes far beyond a cosmetic issue and can actually become a threat to the structural integrity of your home. Fixing wood rot is vital to preventing bigger problems down the road.

Link
Embed
Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed.

Need help with a home repair project?
Call ProMaster at:
513-322-2914

What causes wood rot?

There are several ways your home’s wooden surfaces and structures can be damaged over time. Wood rot, however, is primarily caused by water intrusion. If wood stays consistently damp over time, microscopic organisms begin to grow on and in the wood. This growth results in decay that we commonly call wood rot. While preventing all wood rot is impossible, fixing wood rot isn’t the most fun project in the world. If you know where wood rot forms, you can find trouble spots before they become major repairs.

Where does wood rot form?

Fixing wood rot will be easier if you can catch it early. It stands to reason, then, that you’ll catch it earlier if you know where to look.

Exterior wood rot is commonly found in places where rain and snow penetrate. This is often most seen around door frames or on window sills and sashes. Wood siding is also a common home for wood rot, especially if it hasn’t been stained and otherwise maintained over the years.

One of the most common wood rot repairs we do here at ProMaster, however, is wood soffit repair. Wooden soffits begin to rot due to water leaking from and around a home’s gutters. The damage is made much worse, however, by animals that are constantly looking for warm, dry places to live – i.e. your attic. Birds, squirrels, and even raccoons can take a small amount of wood rot and turn it into the front door of their new home. If you have soffit or trim damage with animal intrusion, be sure that all animals are evacuated from the home before performing the repair.

Interior wood rot can often be a bigger problem to deal with, as moisture is usually coming from a leak, poor ventilation, or another moisture intrusion problem. The issue of causation will need to be fixed before fixing the wood rot. We often see interior wood rot in bathrooms, in sink cabinets, and anywhere a home’s plumbing has failed over time.

Structural wood rot can be a major issue for the safety of your home. This includes floor joists, deck supports, and roof sheathing. If you notice wood rot in these areas, you should call a home repair expert immediately to prevent further damage to your home and to keep your family safe.