Useful Tips on Spotting Wood Rot Around Your Home

As a homeowner, keeping your home well-maintained, safe, and secure is surely on top of your long list of duties and responsibilities. Home maintenance in itself is by no means a simple feat. Luckily, you have a lot of resources at your disposal. If you’re looking for a guide on how to deal with wood rot in and around your home, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, Handyman Connection® of Wichita East shares how you can spot wood rot and where to look.

Signs of Wood Rot

To be able to spot signs of wood rot, you must first familiarize yourself with the types of rotting that affect wood and timber construction materials. There’s dry rot and wet rot. You can identify dry rot through a couple of appearances. If there’s a cotton-like or mushroom-like growth that’s off-white in color on the surface of the timber, chances are you’re dealing with dry rot. Another thing to watch out for are deep cracks running across the grain of the wood.

As for wet rot, utilize the sponge test. No actual sponges are needed for this one. Rather, apply pressure on the area that you suspect is rotting. If it feels spongy, it’s highly probable that you’re dealing with wet rot.

Where to Look

Pay special attention to your attic, basement, window sills, thresholds around exterior doors, decks, siding and fences. Make sure to check the areas that are constantly exposed to excess moisture, as well as the areas that don’t get a lot of exposure at all, such as the wooden parts on the underside of your deck. Just remember to exercise caution when checking to avoid accidents. Better yet, enlist the help of professionals to ensure efficiency.

Handyman Connection of Wichita East can help you keep your deck and fences wood rot-free. Call us today at (316) 540-8439 to schedule an estimate.