How To Repair Water Damaged Wood Siding? Troubleshooting and Repair Guide

This article will teach you all you need to know about repairing water damage to wood siding. This is a common worry for people who reside in areas where the weather might be unpredictable.

As luck would have it, fixing dented siding is a rather simple task. You can do the work yourself, or you can hire someone to do it for you. If you decide to go with Plan B, the information you’ll need is below.

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What is Wood Siding?

Installation of wood siding on the exterior of a building serves to fortify it against the elements. Siding for your home’s exterior can be made from any of these materials, and many more besides.

Pros and Cons of Wood Siding

Wood is a common material for house facades. Before opting to update your home’s exterior, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of wood siding.

Pros of Wood Siding

1. Staining or painting wood allows for a wide range of customization in terms of color and sheen.
2. Wood that is easier on the environment is a fantastic alternative. During production, no harmful byproducts are created, and it decomposes quickly.
   • Pine
   • Spruce
   • Fir
   • Cedar
   • Redwood
   • Cypress
3. There is some speculation that switching from vinyl or fiber cement to cedar shakes will increase the value of a home. If you decide to sell your property, you’ll see a little increase in its market value.
4. There are several different types of wood siding to choose from, including lap, shingle, shake, tongue and groove, board and batten, and bevel. Look through these pictures to get a feel for how each design movement might affect the overall look of a house.

Cons of Wood Siding

1. Maintaining wood siding is expensive and time-consuming. Certain types of wood siding need to be stained every two to three years, and paint on wood siding needs to be repainted every four to five years to maintain its moisture-resistant properties.
2. Wood is a magnet for termites. A professional pest controller should be called once a year to prevent infestations. Remember that it is less expensive to avoid termite damage than to fix it after it has already occurred.
3. Wood siding can be a cost-effective option for a home’s exterior.
4. Wood that has been weakened by moisture, insects, or a woodpecker’s bill should be replaced quickly. Water damage from a breach in a home’s wooden siding might result in the growth of mold inside the structure.
5. In the case of a fire, many types of wood shingles and shakes have low flame spread ratings. Insurers may view this as a risk and increase their prices to policyholders as a direct result. Roof shingles made of treated wood can achieve Class A fire ratings.
6. A yearly cleaning is recommended to maintain wood siding free of dirt and mildew. Due to the strong water pressure of a power washer, a soft-bristled brush is recommended as an alternative for homeowners.

Your financial constraints may influence the style option you choose on. When using a clear sealer or semi-transparent stain, it is imperative that you use high-quality wood that is free of knots and other defects. Of course, you can expect to pay more for premium wood. Conversely, cheaper wood can be updated with paints and solid stains without breaking the bank. All depends on how much you are willing to invest. To be safe, use the highest quality wood siding within your budget.

Causes Of Water Damage

Water damage is perhaps the most common type of damage in most homes and commercial facilities. It’s almost a certainty that wood sidings will need to be monitored in regions where water is present.

Weather

Every day brings its own set of unpredictable weather conditions. Waterproofing the sidings requires the use of a variety of treatments. This isn’t always enough to keep the walls safe from things like hurricanes and tornadoes. Extensive exposure to water and the elements can cause irreparable damage to wood siding.

Structural damage

A home’s structural integrity can be compromised at any age, although it’s more common in older dwellings. Mold spores thrive in damp environments, making concrete and crawl spaces common breeding grounds.

To this end, wooden exterior walls are particularly susceptible. Cracks, mold, and decay can all be avoided by keeping up with routine cleaning and upkeep.

Signs Of Water Damaged Wood Siding

If the siding is made of wood, any water damage will be out of sight while the homeowner is inside the house. The good news is that if you suspect your exterior walls have been compromised, there are signs to look out for.

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Below is a checklist of things to bear in mind:

1. Peeling paint

Finding flaking paint on wood sidings is an indication of a more serious issue. Extensive decay happens when water enters into wood that has been subjected to high humidity for an extended period of time.

2. Softwood

Excessive dampness might cause the wood to become brittle. Even with the help of natural drying and the right equipment, softwood that has not been treated will eventually degrade and foster the growth of mold.

3. Protruding nails

Water damage can be detected on the nails in your siding. If the boards of wood siding are set further back into the surface, this indicates swelling.

When the nails start to clump together, you know there’s water somewhere inside the building. Quickly addressing the issue will reduce the likelihood of a more dire outcome.

Wood Siding Repair Cost

Wood siding typically costs $7.50 to $10.50 per square foot. If you hire a professional to fix it, you may expect to pay between $100 and $200. This may be the more cost-effective choice if only a small section of the wall needs fixing.

Although most homeowner’s insurance plans will cover some of the cost of replacing damaged siding, certain policies may not cover the full amount. This could give the impression that the newly installed wood siding stands out from the rest of the wall. Ask your lawyer if they can help you through the insurance options offered by your service provider.

Fixing Water Damaged Wood Siding

If you follow these steps, you should be able to fix the damaged wood siding.

In the first stage, you’ll need to get rid of the rotted wood siding caused by water. Like the removal of rotting components, the removal of mold and mildew is essential.

The second step is to get rid of any potential obstructions, such as nails or screws. A nail puller or the flat side of a hammer can be used to carefully remove nails.

The final step is to scrape off all the sealant from the side you’re working on. A utility knife will do the trick here.

Four, spruce up with a new coat of wood siding.

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Siding is usually attached with nails. The siding must be nailed into the studs below the wood.

To keep the parts in place, you can apply caulk or another watertight sealant.

In Step 7, make the wood more water-resistant by staining or painting it. To prevent standing out too much, use a hue that harmonizes with the rest of the wall’s accessories.

How to Maintain Wood Siding

1. Trim back bushes or trees from touching the wood siding.

Remove any overhanging branches and prune any trees that are close to your siding to prevent premature rotting.

2. Clean your gutters regularly.

Water and ice dams can cause significant damage to siding. It’s best to clear your gutters twice a year, first in the fall after the leaves have dropped but before winter, and again in the spring.

3. Re-caulk around doors and windows as needed to keep water out.

Water can seep through the cracks and gaps between the siding and the building’s framework. Make sure that any cracks or openings around your windows and doors are sealed during your spring cleaning.

4. Apply a clear sealer or wood stain to the siding.

The wood will be protected from the bleaching effects of the sun with a clear sealer, but it will not penetrate as deeply as other sealers. Using a clear sealer every few years is an option.

Wood stain is a greater protection because it soaks into the wood more deeply and lasts longer against moisture. Each year for every four years, you need to repaint with two coats. If you have a paint sprayer, you may use it to apply the stain quickly and evenly. Even though cleaning a paint sprayer isn’t exactly fun, it can help you get the job done faster if you use one when painting your home. It should be used once every four years.

5. Whenever you see damaged siding, replace it as soon as possible.

If the siding is compromised, the effects of moisture from harsh winters and wet springs will be magnified. In addition, vermin and animals may find it easier to enter the home if the siding is compromised.

Siding that is broken, rotted, or missing must be fixed right away. Your siding may fare better if you hire a contractor to do this.

Conclusion

If your wood siding has been damaged by water, don’t worry. If you know how to solve them, it will be much less of a hassle. The easiest approach to prevent water damage to wood siding is to have it painted or sealed with a high quality product.

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Danh mục: Damaged