Wood Rot, Mold and Water Damage…
Prevention is the Key!

Wood rot is the byproduct of too much moisture, the same culprit that can cause mold and other water-related issues. It is a common problem within the home improvement industry, so much so that it drives upwards of 10% of wood production sales. The good news is that there are a number of routine measures that homeowners can take to prevent most, if not all, wood rot and moisture-related problems around the home: • Check your basement or crawlspace. Poor ventilation, structural issues and/or plumbing leaks can result in moisture accumulation, resulting wood rot and/or mold.

• Pressure wash your home annually, repairing damaged wood and applying touch-up paint and caulk to secure paint integrity and prevent further rotting.

• Also apply caulk around your windows and doors to prevent water from entering and causing wood rot and/or damaging other items in your home.

• Keep gutters clear of debris and working properly to carry water safely away from your home. A poorly maintained gutter system will drop water near your home’s foundation, allowing moisture into your basement or crawlspace, and leading to land erosion and foundation issues.

• Inspect your attic and roof for possible leaks and/or water damage. A home’s roof is the most critical barrier to inclement weather, and roof failure will lead to a host of issues, including water damage, wood rot and mold development.

• Repair or replace caulking around your tub and showers, and make sure that tile grout is not broken-down and that it continues to provide a strong moisture barrier.

• When taking a shower, use your ventilation system to remove steam from your bathroom.

• Check pipes under sinks, in basements and crawlspaces, and in other areas around your home. Even small plumbing leaks can result in wood rot, mold and pest-related issues.

Carefully executed, these steps will go a long way toward preventing moisture, wood rot and mold altogether. That being said, it is possible, even with the above-listed precautionary measures, that homeowners will experience water-related damage at some point during the life of their home. In these instances, it is important to consult a professional company that specializes in wood rot repair, waterproofing and mold remediation.

Be sure to ask them the tough questions: Do they have the appropriate experience for the job? Can they provide referrals for jobs similar in scope? Do they carry proper insurance and licensing? How long have they been in business? What is their rating on the Better Business Bureau? Are they listed in HomeServiceReports.org or other similar rating agencies? You get the idea.

And remember, just because a contractor says there are “mold issues”, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s true. There are some less reputable companies that regularly use mold and associated health risks as scare tactics to create urgency with unsuspecting homeowners. Bottom line: check all contractors out thoroughly before inviting them into your home, especially in this category.

In the final analysis, homeowners can prevent most, if not all, wood rot, mold and other water-related problems by taking relatively easy precautionary steps. And in those rare instances where they cannot, it’s best to consult the experts who know how to do the job right. In the end, you and your family will be glad that you did!