Something's rotten in Denmark : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

Something's rotten in Denmark

Do you have wood rot? Would you know wood rot if you had it?

Wood rot is caused by moisture coming in contact with wood. This usually happens on the outside of the house where paint has worn away or where wood is in contact with soil. Wood immersed in water typically doesn't have wood rot, it's the wood that is in semi-wet areas where the fungi start to grow. It takes a while for rot to appear, but it can spread quickly once it does. The wood rot fungi can grow out to 25 feet - through masonary walls - to get the moisture it requires.

In the Denver area most wood rot is caused due to improper drainage. Just through the passage of time most soils will tend to slope toward the foundation rather than away from it. This allow the moisture to come in contact with wood on decks, porches and siding which allows the wood rot to begin to grow.

So what to do if you have wood rot? Just painting will not do the trick. First the source of the moisture must be fixed. That usually means adding soil and landscaping so that moisture will drain away from the foundation. Next the wood that is already affected must be removed and replaced. Once it is replaced, a good paint job will deter anymore little fungi.

It's always a good idea to inspect your foundation, porches and decks annually for signs of rot. It's much cheaper to repair and replace wood rot in the early stages.