Tips for Preventing Wood Rot
Beautiful wood siding is prone to many different types of damage, one of them being moisture damage or dry rot. Once wood siding gets damaged, restoration of the area could cost thousands of dollars. Regular maintenance of the siding is crucial to avoiding these types of repairs. Here are some essential tips of keep your home safe from moisture damage:
Proper Drainage
- Oftentimes there are clogs in drainage systems that cause water to collect next to the home. By having better drainage, water is directed away from the foundation of the home keeping the structure of the home safe.
Inspecting Wood
- Checking the outside of your home, especially wooden decks, porches, and siding. Some more obvious signs of decay can look like shrinking, cracking or discoloration of wood.
- Do not lean items onto your siding. This includes tools, ladders, or old plywood.
Gutters
- Gutters and downspouts play an essential role in clearing out water away from the structure. Cleaning your gutters regularly of debris, like dirt, leaves and twigs will help the water flow properly.
Paint
- Having a protective coating of paint can help water from seeping through the seams, reducing the risk of dry rot. About every 5 years, repainting and resealing is needed for wooden structures depending on the weather conditions which you live in. Another option is staining wood, this helps with resistance from cracking and chipping problems that paint may have. Once wood is stained, it is more difficult to change the color. Staining wood is less labor intensive as it involves less paint, which can come out to be cheaper.
When dry rot is found, it can be a hassle to take care of. By maintaining your home with proper drainage, wood inspection, good water flow and protective paint, you can protect your home from water damage.
If you are interested in a free estimate for dry rot repair or restoration, contact Elite Construction at (916) 469-4660 or use the contact form on our website.