Repair Wood Siding Dry Rot

If the damaged area is structural or the dry rot infestation is advanced the rotted wood must be removed and replaced.

Repair wood siding dry rot. Professional contractors can help homeowners in repairing rotted wood siding. A minnesota contractor estimates that one out of eight homes will have dry rot under the existing siding and that repairs needed before new siding can be installed might cost 50 2 000 or more but average 200 500. After you remove the rotted courses use a small hacksaw to cut any protruding nail shanks or if you have a very strong grip use a good pair of wire cutters. To learn how to repair wood siding remove rotted boards with a flat pry bar.

Test for dry rot by poking the wood with a screwdriver. If you ve caught an instance of dry rot early enough it can be stopped with boric acid. The nails should be placed into each of the individual wall studs. If it goes in easily or feels spongy you likely have dry rot.

Position the groove along the bottom part of the new wood piece onto the upper edge of the wood piece. If your home has wood siding examine the siding around and beneath the windows for signs of swelling or discoloration. The name can be misleading as dry rot occurs in moist conditions. If you suspect rot contact them immediately so they can perform a detailed inspection of your house and provide you with different options in repairing wood siding rot to prevent further moisture penetration wood rot or termite damage.

Pry off the rotted boards. Handyman outlines both techniques below to help you make the best decision. Paint can hide wood rot so poke the siding with the tip of the. The process of replacing rotten wood siding isn t difficult.

Place the new wood piece under the lower edge of the blank in the upper plank. The steps involve cutting away the rotten siding clearing out the old nails cutting the new siding to the appropriate length and fastening the siding as well as caulking it to make the siding watertight. Sprinkle boric acid across wood that shows signs of dry rot. In some cases you may be able to repair the wood and other times it will require replacing the entire piece.

Using 2 inch siding nails attach the new wood piece. Boric acid is a powerful fungicide and can eradicate the rot causing fungi as long as they haven t penetrated more than 1 4 inch 0 64 cm into the wood. Repairing siding dry rot typically costs around 1 000 but can run up to 2 500.