Why Replacing Rotted Wood is Important Before You Paint Your House

When it comes to making improvements to your house such as painting, replacing windows, or installing new siding or gutters, it is important to inspect your house first.

You will want to know if anything is in need of repair before covering it with a new material.

To catch such issues first means that you can take care of them and perhaps avoid paying a much bigger price in the future.

One of the most important areas of repair is rotting wood on the exterior of your home.

Wood that is rotting needs to be replaced before painting or any other installation is performed.

Unfortunately, too many people believe that simply painting over rotted wood will stop the deterioration.

While a few coats of paint may seemingly halt the progress of the wood falling apart, the truth is that it merely masks what is happening under the surface.

Continue reading to see why rotted wood should be replaced.

Why Rotted Wood Needs to Be Replaced

There are a number of reasons why you should repair rotting wood, plus rotting wood may be a sign that something more substantial needs to be corrected.

Compromised Strength

When wood siding and trim starts to rot that means its integrity and strength has been compromised in some fashion.

Usually, moisture combined with other elements such as mold or mildew has penetrated the surface and has invaded the interior. Once this happens, painting over it does not stop the deterioration.

Signs of Other Issues

While some cases of rotting wood are independent from the rest of the home, in most cases it is a sign that something else may be wrong.

It could be that all of the surface wood is starting to rot or perhaps that the home itself has been compromised by moisture, mold, pests, or insects.

By painting over the issue, you are only masking the true cause of why the wood is rotting.

Termites

Another reason why the wood may be rotted is termites, particularly if the damage is occurring in the lower sections of your home.

Termites invade the wood for food and will find ways out even when you use paint. The wood needs to be removed because it may harbor termites that will invade other areas of your home.

Protection

Rotted wood is not only falling apart, it has lost a considerable amount of its inherent resistance to the elements.

Even with new exterior paint, it is much easier for the elements to break through the wood and compromise your home.

High winds, hail, sleet, and rain can penetrate and break through rotting wood that has been painted.

You should have rotted wood removed and replaced from the exterior of your home whether you plan on having the house painted, installing siding, or putting in new windows.

By getting rid of the compromised wood you can then have a safe, structurally intact home and avoid issues down the line.

Need Rotted Wood Replaced? We’re a Professional Maryland, Northern Virginia & DC Painting Company

At Benjamin Painters we’re proud to be an Maryland, Northern Virginia & DC professional house painter for over twenty years.

Our certified crews follow professional installation guidelines to ensure you a quality installation, backed by a workmanship warranty.

For help, give us a call at 703-303-4197 or book a free estimate online.