Although pressure treated lumber, older cedar and redwood and many domestic and exotic hardwoods are naturally resistant to decay from insect attack. NO WOOD SPECIES OR SPECIES are immune to the harmful effects of water absorption and sun exposure.
So when it comes to home wood damage from heavy rain in San Diego, what does that mean for your home and what to look for?
1. Check rain gutters for drainage. These heavy winds may have blown debris into the gutter, preventing it from draining properly. Keep rain gutters clear and unobstructed to prevent cascading flooding. This can cause wood rot on fascias and if left uncorrected over time, the wood will decay to the point that rain gutters can fall off.
2. Where does the water go? Does it drain well from the house through the down spout or into a water barrel? Make sure gutter downspouts are long enough to drain water far enough away from the perimeter of the house to prevent pooling. Water buildup around your home can cause damage to the subfloor, foundation, stucco, and even wood framing. If you use a water barrel, most standard water barrels only hold 30-55 liters of water and can fill up quickly. Be sure to empty water barrels prior to a major rain shower to prevent overflow.
3. Splashing rainwater, what does the facade cladding look like? Is the bottom 12 inches drying out or showing signs of dry rot, swelling, or pulling away from the frame? Make sure that the rain gutters are free of dirt, so that the water can flow properly through the gutter system. Homes without gutters suffer more in this area than those with. If the water has nowhere to drain, the amount of splashing water on the side of your house is much greater because the rain has nowhere to deflect, causing extreme runoff throughout the house.
4. It’s been cold for a while San Diego. Close the curtain box, there is an accumulation of moisture on the sill. Do the crying holes empty? Weeping holes are drains for your windows. If they become clogged with debris, paint or sealant and cannot perform this vital function, water can seep into the wood of the sill and cause it to rot.
5. Cracked and peeling paint on the wood around your home. The first line of defense between your siding and moisture is your home’s exterior paint. Exterior paint is tough stuff, designed to repel water and keep wood safe. But even the strongest paint breaks down over time. If you don’t repaint your home’s exterior regularly, the paint may eventually crack or peel. Even the tiniest cracks can lure water in, where it soaks into the wood and becomes trapped. This is the perfect recipe against wood rot.
Water is one of your home’s greatest enemies. Over time, wood with more than 20% moisture will rot. Call the best rate for action on home wood damage from heavy rain in San Diego: 619-229-0116
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