Siding Rot Has One Main Cause
Water intrusion!
Most siding rot and damage is from improper installation of your siding, windows, doors, gutters, or roof. Some could be from construction defects. Water will eventually become an issue when any of these things are not installed properly.
It is important to install windows and doors with proper flashing. Ensuring water does not have a way past your windows can be the difference between dry rot and rot.
Once water finds a way in, it is just a matter of time before the damage starts. The longer it goes undetected or not repaired, the deeper the damage becomes. It is like a cavity in a tooth. The filling is small and relatively inexpensive if you can catch it quickly. The longer you delay, the deeper the cavity and the more expensive the repair.
Other sources of water intrusion are leaking pipes, frozen water valves outside your home or building, or excessive rain entering your home.
How to find dry rot
Knowing that there is damage is not an easy thing. If you wait until you see the signs:
- Soft siding
- Water inside your home or building around the windows
- Water dripping from your ceilings
- Dampness around your doors
The cost of repair is usually higher. It involves finding where the water is intruding and replacing all the damaged pieces. For water leaking behind a window, this could mean replacing the window, the wood framing holding the window, the studs in that area, the insulation, and the affected siding.
Pacific Exteriors NW has a thermal imaging tool to find water behind the siding. It can detect water in places people cannot see, allowing for quicker detection of future problems. This is the best way to find rot behind your siding.
