For homeowners, fewer things send them into panic mode than discovering their house has wood rot. If left untreated, wood rot can lead to a number of problems and costly repairs. Because wood is prevalent on the majority of homes, it’s important to understand how wood rot occurs, know what to look for, and when you should call for wood rot repair in Overland Park. The following is wood rot 101 in Overland Park.
Wood Rot
Wood rot is essentially just what it sounds like – rotten wood. But how does it become rotten? Basically, any time wood is exposed to moisture for a decent amount of time, the wood will eventually attract fungi from the soil to grow on it.
Types of Wood Rot
If you call for wood rot repair in Overland Park, the professionals will first look to see what kind of wood rot you have.
- Brown Rot – As you can probably assume, this rot is brown in color. It attacks softwoods and turns it into a dark brown and breaks it up in cubes, giving it a checkerboard look. It has the name “dry rot,” due to it weakening very quickly and causing it to become dry.
- White Rot – If your wood has taken on a whitish color instead of a dark brown, you probably have white rot. The fungus attacks the lignin in the wood, giving it its color and a spongy feel to it.
Where to Look for Wood Rot
Now that you know what wood rot is, you need to know where to look on your home that may need wood repair in Overland Park.
- Siding
- Attic
- Basement or crawl space
- Windows
- Doors
- Deck
Treatment and Prevention
If you discover your home needs wood repair in Overland Park, get it fixed immediately. The longer you wait, the more it will spread and cause more damage. If you plan on deck staining in Overland Park or painting the exterior of your home, you will first need to fix your wood rot. Covering it with paint or stain will not do it justice.
The key to preventing wood rot is moisture control. Adequate ventilation, clean gutters, and replacing old caulk are three ways to prevent decay from occurring. If you notice your home’s siding peeling, call house painters in Overland Park to repaint it to avoid moisture from affecting the exposed areas.
As painters in Overland Park and experts in wood rot, call us at Residential Solutions for any wood repair you may need.
