Repair Wood Siding Dry Rot

Handyman outlines both techniques below to help you make the best decision.

Repair wood siding dry rot.

Test for dry rot by poking the wood with a screwdriver. Dry rot is a wood fungus that causes structural damage to timber. If the damaged area is structural or the dry rot infestation is advanced the rotted wood must be removed and replaced. Professional contractors can help homeowners in repairing rotted wood siding.

If your home has wood siding examine the siding around and beneath the windows for signs of swelling or discoloration. Paint can hide wood rot so poke the siding with the tip of the. The nails should be placed into each of the individual wall studs. Pry off the rotted boards.

Place the new wood piece under the lower edge of the blank in the upper plank. Protect sound siding with a scrap piece of 1 4 in. In some cases you may be able to repair the wood and other times it will require replacing the entire piece. The steps involve cutting away the rotten siding clearing out the old nails cutting the new siding to the appropriate length and fastening the siding as well as caulking it to make the siding watertight.

If you suspect rot contact them immediately so they can perform a detailed inspection of your house and provide you with different options in repairing wood siding rot to prevent further moisture penetration wood rot or termite damage. The name can be misleading as dry rot occurs in moist conditions. The process of replacing rotten wood siding isn t difficult. If it goes in easily or feels spongy you likely have dry rot.

Position the groove along the bottom part of the new wood piece onto the upper edge of the wood piece. Using 2 inch siding nails attach the new wood piece. After you remove the rotted courses use a small hacksaw to cut any protruding nail shanks or if you have a very strong grip use a good pair of wire cutters. Repairing siding dry rot typically costs around 1 000 but can run up to 2 500.

Boric acid is a powerful fungicide and can eradicate the rot causing fungi as long as they haven t penetrated more than 1 4 inch 0 64 cm into the wood. Sprinkle boric acid across wood that shows signs of dry rot. To learn how to repair wood siding remove rotted boards with a flat pry bar.