Why Replacing Rotted Wood is Important Before You Paint Your House

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. Read on to see why rotted wood should be replaced.

Rotted wood trim board on Omaha house
Rotted wood trim board
Rotted wood window trim on Omaha house
Rotted wood around window
Rotted wood siding along roof line on Omaha house
Rotted wood siding along roof

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 paintedinstalling 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. 

House with cedar siding repaired
Rotted wood siding and trim boards replaced with new cedar
House with new cedar siding painted gray with white trim
New wood primed and entire house painted to restore and protect the siding

Need Rotted Wood Replaced? We're a Professional Omaha Siding and Painting Company

At United Services we’re proud to be an Omaha siding company and professional house painter for over fifty years. Our certified crews follow professional installation guidelines to ensure you a quality installation, backed by a workmanship warranty. For help with wood siding repair in Omaha, give us a call at 402-572-1144 or book a free estimate online.

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