Though pressure-treated lumber, older grown Cedar and Redwood, and many domestic and exotic hardwood species are naturally resistant to decay from insect attacks. NO WOOD TYPE OR SPECIES is immune to the damaging effects of water absorption and sun exposure.
So, what’s that mean for your home, and what are some key areas you should be paying attention to?
1. Check Rain Gutters for drainage. These heavy winds could have blown debris into the gutter causing them to improperly drain. Keep rain gutters clear and unobstructed to prevent cascading overflow. This can cause wood rot to fascia boards and if left uncorrected overtime the wood will become so decayed it could cause the rain gutters to fall off.
2. Where Is the water going? Does it properly drain away from the house through the down spout or into a water barrel? Make sure gutter downspouts are long enough to discharge water sufficiently far from the perimeter of the house and prevent pooling. Pooling of water around your home can lead to damage to the sub-floor, foundation, stucco and even the wood framing. If your using a water barrel, most standard water barrels only hold 30-55 gallons of water and can fill up quickly. Be sure to empty water barrels prior to a big rain storm to help prevent overflowing.
3. Rain Splash-up, How does the siding look? Is the bottom 12” drying out or is it showing signs of dry rot, swelling or pulling away from the framing? Be sure rain gutters are cleared of any debris allowing the water to properly flow down the gutter system. Homes without rain gutters suffer more in this area then those with. When the water has no where to drain the amount of splash up on the side of your home is much greater because the rain has nowhere to deflect causing extreme runoff all along the home.
4. It’s been cold for San Diego. Have the curtains bin closed, is there moisture build-up on the sill. Are the weep holes draining? Weep holes are drains for your windows. If they become blocked by debris, paint or caulk and can’t serve this vital function, water can seep into the wood of the sill and cause it to rot.
5. Cracked and Peeling paint on the wood around your home. The first line of defense between your siding and moisture is your home’s exterior paint. Exterior paint is tough stuff, designed to repel water and keep wood safe. However, even the strongest paint breaks down over time. If you don’t regularly re-paint the exterior of your home, the paint may eventually crack or peel. Even the smallest cracks could invite water inside, where it will soak into the wood and become trapped. This is the perfect recipe for wood rot.
Water is one of your home’s greatest enemies. Overtime wood that has more than 20% moisture will rot. Call Best Rate today 619-229-0116 for your free home assessment!
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