Wood rot is the enemy of a well-constructed home. Almost all homes suffer from some degree of wood rot ranging from minimal to severe, and in many cases it’s hard to detect until it becomes a problem. Here in Georgia, wood rot can be particularly pervasive thanks to humid temperatures and lots of rain.
At Accent Roofing, we understand that wood rot sometimes comes part and parcel with roof repair. We’ve seen it time and time again: A homeowner innocently attempts to hang a Christmas decoration or replace a few missing shingles only to find that wood rot has practically taken over their roofing structure. Here’s what you need to know.
Wood Rot Isn’t Just Unsightly
Visible wood rot isn’t pretty. If you’ve seen a deck that’s well past its prime, you know what wood rot looks like. In many cases though, “rotten” wood is covered by paint, eaves, or roofing materials which make it difficult to see. The worst thing about wood rot isn’t its appearance, it’s what it can do to the structural stability of your home. Rotten wood on your roof or your support joists can leave your house vulnerable to the elements, and particularly weak against threats like hail or snow.
Slow and Steady is the Wood Rot Way
Wood rot is caused by common fungi that are actually present in the air all the time. Only moisture and warmth allow the fungi to take root; wet, covered wood creates the perfect habitat for them to thrive. Although all fungi require moisture to grow, wood rot can appear as either “dry rot” or “wet rot; Wood that is dry rotted will appear dryer and crumblier than wet rotted wood but both have been consumed by some form of fungus. Remember that wood rot doesn’t happen overnight – it’s a gradual process – and that a once-yearly roofing inspection can easily detect looming problems within the wooden elements of your roof.
Homes With Wood Rot Don’t Sell
If you’re thinking about putting your home on the market, wood rot is one of the first things you should fix before sticking the For Sale sign in the yard. Visible wood rot is a major red flag for buyers who will wonder what other deferred maintenance your home is hiding. Invisible wood rot is a material fact about your home’s condition that you’re required to disclose to buyers if you’re aware of it. Don’t let an easy wood rot fix sink your home sale.
Ventilation is Key to Preventing Rot
Your roof isn’t just your home’s protection, it’s also how it breathes. Improperly-vented roofs are a breeding ground for rot, and they can happen anywhere. If your roof has insufficient venting for its size, moisture is becoming trapped in and around the roof itself creating the perfect environment for fungi to gain momentum. Proper venting is what keeps the moisture level in your house, particularly in your attic space, stable.
Avoiding Wood Rot
Wood rot isn’t just a roofing problem, it can happen all over your house. Crawlspaces, window sills, roof decks, framing, fascia, and many other components are your home are all vulnerable to rot in the humid southeastern climate. Prevention is key.
How can you prevent wood rot on your roof? Reach out to a local roofing professional today for a comprehensive inspection of your entire roofing system. The sooner you catch wood rot, the better your outcome will be!
Contact Accent Roofing today
to schedule your roofing inspection in metro Atlanta,
or call 770-769-1808
