Let’s talk about wood rot.
It may not be a particularly pleasant topic, but it’s important to be aware of this common, nearly inevitable problem, and how best to combat it. Like most elements of exterior home maintenance, a proactive, knowledgeable approach will always help you to save in the long-run.
What Is Wood Rot?
Wood rot is a fungus that consumes healthy wood fibers, destroying their sturdy, stiff nature. This creates that tell-tale crumbling or softness in impacted wood.
The risk is particularly high for those elements of your home that are in direct contact with moisture, and have spaces where water can collect (even a little does the trick!):
- Fascia
- Siding
- Soffits
- Window frames and sills
- Deck boards
- Deck railing, posts, and structure
- …and more
All that wood rot needs to thrive is contact with wood, an entrance point (weak stain, decaying paint, surface damage, etc…), and to go unnoticed or untreated.
How Can You Prevent Wood Rot Around Your Portland Home?
- Routine Inspections – Partner with a professional painting company and invest in routine surface inspections and touch-ups.
- Proactive Repairs – Don’t let wood rot sit – it’s not a static problem, but will grow and spread to surrounding, healthy wood fibers.
- Wood Repairs – If the damage is more extensive, your painting and wood repair expert may suggest a total replacement of the impacted wood.
- Maintaining Paint and Stain – Paint and stain not only help your home’s exterior to look great, but also provide invaluable protection against moisture and decay, including wood rot.
For a real-life example of thorough wood rot repair and painting in Portland, take a look at this project overview we shared in another post. The transformation is drastic, and the information provides a clear insight into the repair process.
The moral of the story here is really to not wait until a widespread problem, or complete paint and stain failure, to call your professional painting company. Ongoing care is always the best, most cost-effective strategy.
