Homeowner answers
Rot, Termites & Repair
Finding and fixing wood rot and termite damage before it spreads.
Showing 31 to 40 of 40 answers, newest first RSS feed
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What does it mean to sister a rotted deck or balcony joist, and when is it enough?
Sistering means fastening a new, full-depth joist alongside the damaged one so the new member carries the load. Done right, the sister bears at both ends on…
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Can rotted wood be fixed with epoxy instead of being replaced?
Sometimes. Two-part epoxy consolidants soak into dry, punky wood and harden it, and epoxy paste fillers rebuild the missing shape. On non-structural pieces…
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Should rotted wood be repaired or replaced?
It depends on what the piece does and how deep the rot goes. Anything carrying load, such as joists, beams, posts, ledgers, stair stringers, and railing posts…
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Do I need a termite inspection before repairing rotted wood on my house?
If there is any chance insects are involved, yes. Rot and termites favor the same wet wood, and the signs overlap to an untrained eye. A licensed pest…
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What is the difference between subterranean and drywood termites in San Diego County?
San Diego County has both. Subterranean termites live in the soil and travel up through mud tubes to feed on wood near the ground, so the evidence is tubes on…
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Is peeling paint on my trim a sign of wood rot?
Often, yes. Paint fails for several reasons, but when it peels, blisters, or lifts in one spot while the rest of the wall is fine, water is usually getting…
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How do I inspect my own deck or balcony for rot before it becomes dangerous?
Take a flat screwdriver or an awl and probe the places water collects: post bottoms, the ledger against the house, joist ends, railing post bases, stair…
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Where does wood rot usually start on a house or deck?
Rot starts where wood stays wet: post bases sitting on concrete or in soil, the ledger where a deck or balcony meets the house, the ends of joists, fascia…
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What is dry rot, and why is it called dry when my wood is wet?
Dry rot is a fungus, not a dry condition. Brown rot fungi digest the cellulose in wood and leave it dark, brittle, and cracked into cubes, which looks dry…
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How can I tell if the damage on my deck or trim is wood rot or termites?
Wood rot is soft, dark or crumbly wood that breaks into cubes or stringy fibers and is almost always wet or recently wet. Termite damage is hollowed wood with…
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