Does your home have rotted wood? Here's a quick guide to the basics

by Executive Housing Consultants, Inc 03/01/2024

Among the various maintenance issues you may encounter as a homeowner, rotted wood is one of the most common. In regions with high humidity and wet weather, your home runs a greater risk of sustaining damage from wood rot.

However, if you find rotted or damaged wood, don’t worry. There are options for replacing or repairing rotted wood to keep your home safe.

Preparation & patching

Removing rotted wood involves two steps: preparation and patching. Throughout the prep phase, you should take out all the rotten wood as much as possible. During the process, consider whether the wood can be restored or if it should be replaced completely.

To patch the wood, you’ll need to coat problem spots with a two-part elastomer. First, an epoxy wood gel is applied to clean wood. The second step involves molding epoxy to fill in the missing wood.

After drying and polishing, the patch should match the wood surface texture. However, you may need to paint or stain.

When should I replace rotting wood?

When rotting wood is found on an old porch, decking or siding, it is important to know if it needs repairs. Rotted wood poses potential health risks and liability issues if not addressed. You’ll know wood should be replaced if at least 15% of the mass is rotten.

Rotted wood may be repaired with the removal of rot on the original boards and beams. Afterward, you may apply wood or polyester filler.

Should I replace or repair rotted wood?

In some cases, it’s easier to just replace damaged timber instead of trying to repair it.

However, if aspects of your home have personal or historical significance, you might prefer to repair rather than replace. The comparative cost can vary greatly depending on the wood and its purpose - for example, whether it’s structural or cosmetic.

To keep your home safe and structurally sound, it’s crucial to address rotted wood as soon as possible. While it’s possible to repair and replace rotten wood on your own, you should always consult a professional engineer or contractor before getting started.

About the Author

Executive Housing Consultants, Inc

Executive Housing Consultants, Inc. is the residential real estate company specializing in the rental and management of luxury properties in the Washington Metro area. This includes Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac and North Potomac, Maryland, Upper Northwest Washington, DC, and McLean, Arlington and Great Falls, Virginia. Executive Housing Consultants was founded in 1983 to provide exceptional service and management of high-end rental housing. Our founders, Libbie Mathes and Rochelle Scissors, traveled the world and were disappointed with their experiences with the leasing and management of their homes in the Washington area while abroad. They recognized the need for a well-run, property management company. Libbie and Rochelle believed they could manage and run a rental real estate firm more efficiently than any of the companies they had dealt with during their time away. They also discovered the need for quality temporary housing in Washington. So they created our short-term furnished portfolio to serve those visiting Washington for a temporary stay and those relocating to the area that need a furnished property while they looked for a permanent housing solution. In 1997, Brian Ridgway took over Executive Housing Consultants and has continued our strong reputation of offering high-quality, upscale temporary and long-term rental real estate. Mission Statement Executive Housing Consultants Inc. is a leader in providing luxury temporary housing to our clients in the Washington Metro area. Our pledge is to offer exceptional housing and superior service while maintaining the highest level of integrity and strict ethical values. In addition, we promise to: Be loyal to our clients. Protect our clients’ interests in all matters. Promptly and diligently respond to our clients’ needs and the needs of their properties. Remain the experts in our industry. Why Are We Unique? We are truly the experts in this industry. Leasing and managing rental properties in the Washington Metro area is our niche; it is ALL we do. We offer unparalleled expertise, service, and value to our clients. In addition: Our contact and referral network is vast. We set the standard for world-class service in our industry. We are your link to success, whatever your residential rental needs maybe. Our clients own some of the most valuable real estate in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. Contact Executive Housing Consultants Inc. for more info! Phone: (301)951-4111 | Email: info@executivehousing.com