Wood Rot the silent killer to your home

From the trim board on your garage door to the window sill that is now soft and spongy and every piece of wood in between is susceptible to rot and decay.

Wood rot is not going to get any better if left alone.  This occurs from water damage, unpainted wood which allow the elements to penetrate the wood as well as insects looking for their next meal.

(picture to right is a exterior wall in Andover, MA that had failed caulking)

A simple tube of caulk at a retail cost of $4.00 could be the difference of  additional thousands of dollars of damage.  A drip edge over a window or flashing at the roof line poorly installed, repair could be the cost of your next vacation.

The rot in this picture was due mainly to poor upkeep of a porch.  The caulking had failed years ago and water was seeping in between a small area between two trim boards.  The solution to repair this was almost two thousand dollars compared to a couple hours of labor and a tube of caulk.

Signs to look for to determine possible rot:

1. worn paint on widow sills and the wood is soft (the elements are rough on this surface)

2. trim boards touching the ground or mulch, this keeps the wood soft.  Rot is more                                       likely to be in these areas

3. A slight bulge or bump  in wood siding (sheathing behind siding could be bowing)

4. discoloration or bubbles on wood (some bubbles will weep water when bubbles are broken)

This siding repair in Andover, MA was caused by flashing that was undersized (to short) for the window and did not span the entire window.  This would of cost about $3.00 to install correctly when built.  New Repair $9,000 plus the cost of a new window.

If you have questions regarding rot or would like something looked at, please give us a call.  Remember it is not going to get better left alone.  Ramsden 1-800-PAINTING or 978-683-9119.